Report F: North Carolina Medical Society Policies

PRESENTED BY:   Robert W. Monteiro, MD, President

REFERRED TO:     Reference Committee No. 1 – Timothy M. Beittel, MD, Chair                                            

The North Carolina Medical Society Board of Directors at its meetings on May 19, 2012, July 21, 2012, and September 8, 2011, reviewed and considered the revision, rescission, and reaffirmation of all North Carolina Medical Society policies that were adopted by the House of Delegates five or more years ago after consultation with appropriate committees.  The Board adopted the following recommendations which are hereby submitted to the House of Delegates for action.

RECOMMENDATION

ITEM 1.  THAT THE FOLLOWING POLICIES BE REVISED:

1.      Breastfeeding  (revise)

          (Ethical & Judicial  Affairs Committee)
   

         RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports patient education that encourages exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods being introduced after six months, and continued breastfeeding until past one year of age as long as mutually desired by mother and infant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports actions by the WIC policies and programs that reduce decrease breastfeeding barriers to breastfeeding and promote increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports policies and programs that decrease breastfeeding barriersbasic education and training for health care practitioners that promotes breastfeeding.

(Resolution 9-2002, adopted as amended 11/17/02)
(revised, Report N-2008, Item 3-8, adopted 10/19/2008)

Comment: This policy is scheduled for review in 2013; however recent changes to the AAP’s position on breastfeeding have called for earlier attention. 

 

2.      Community Care of North Carolina Program  (revise)

         (Legislative Cabinet)
RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports the Community Care of North Carolina Program sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which contracts with primary care physicians to deliver and coordinate health care for Medicaid recipients; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports member participation in the Medicaid Program.

(Report M-1991, adopted 11/9/91)
(reaffirmed, Report U-2001, Item 3, adopted 11/11/01)
(revised, Report R-2007, Item 3-1, adopted 10/21/2007)

Comment: The language referencing DHHS sponsorship of this program is inaccurate and misleading. 

3.      Proper Care of Psychiatric Patients  (revise)

         (Mental Health Task Force)
RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society support cooperation between the North Carolina Department of Corrections Public Safety, the North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission and the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Development Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services to: 

  1. Provide proper medical and psychiatric care to prisoners suffering from a psychiatric illness     while incarcerated.
  2. Arrange for proper follow-up care of former prisoners upon their release from prison, and
  3. Provide follow-up care for mentally ill offenders upon return to the community.

 (Report E-1982, adopted 5/7/1982)
(reaffirmed, Report JJ-1992, Item 2, adopted 11/8/1992)
(revised, Report H-2002, adopted 11/17/2002)
(reaffirmed, Report R-2007, Item 2-8, adopted 10/21/2007)

          Comment:  Revise policy to reflect the updated names of the state agencies involved.

  

4.      Qualifications for State Health Directors and Medical Director, NC Division of Mental   Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services  (revise)

         (Mental Health Task Force)
RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports qualifications for State Health Director and Medical Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services that include a doctoral degree in medicine, public health training or experience, and adequate academic or experiential preparation for the management of a multifaceted public health and wellness agency.

(Resolution 5-1991, adopted 11/9/1991)
(revised, Report U-2001, Item 38, adopted 11/11/2001)
(revised, Report R-2007, Item 3-10, adopted 10/21/2007)

 Comment:  Revise policy to clarify that it references both the Medical Director of the NC  Division of Mental Health as well as to the State Health Director. 

 

ITEM 2.  THAT THE FOLLOWING POLICIES BE RESCINDED:

1.      Elimination of Preadmission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASARR) for NC   Nursing Facilities  (rescind)

         (Ethical & Judicial Affairs Committee)

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports the elimination of the Preadmission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASARR).

(Report V-1994, adopted 11/6/1994)
(revised, Report R-2007, Item 3-46, adopted 10/21/2007)

 Comment: This policy is no longer necessary. As of November 1, 2009 DMA/DMH no longer requires an Annual Resident Review (ARR) for PASRR II level recipients. Nursing facilities will still be required to complete a change in condition screening should there be a change in the condition of an admitted recipient. If mental illness, mental retardation or related conditions is evident, a new level II will be initiated and scheduled. More information available at http://www.ncmust.com.

 2.      No Smoking in North Carolina Medical Society Sponsored Events  (rescind)

         (Finance Committee)

         RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Medical Society House of Delegates and Reference Committee meetings be designated as non-smoking.

(Resolution 11-1981, adopted 5/9/81)
(reaffirmed, Report KK-1991, Item 8, adopted 11/9/91)
(reaffirmed, Report U-2001, Item 6, adopted 11/11/01)
(reaffirmed, Report R-2007, Item 2-2, adopted 10/21/2007)

 

Comment:  Policy reaffirmation of smoke-free standards at all NCMS meetings includes the Annual Meeting.

 

3.      Opposition to Increase in Truck Size and Weight on Highways (rescind)

         (Legislative Cabinet)
         RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society opposes any federal or state increase in allowable truck size or weight that may be legally operated on public highways.

 (Report U-1991, adopted 11/9/1991)
(reaffirmed, Report U-2001, Item 10, adopted 11/11/2001)
(revised, Report R-2007, Item 3-26, adopted 10/21/2007)

                  Comment: The subject of this policy is not core to the NCMS mission.

 

4.      Repeal Smoking Preemption Laws  (rescind)

         (Legislative Cabinet)
RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports repeal of the current preemption law that prohibits local legislation on smoking in public places.

 

(Resolution 31-1991, adopted 11/9/1991)
(reaffirmed, Report U-2001, Item 5, adopted 11/11/2001)
(revised, Report R-2007, Item 3-51, adopted 10/21/2007)

 

Comment: This policy is no longer necessary since the passage of SL 2009-27 to prohibit smoking in certain public places.

 

Fiscal Note:  No additional funding above current resources estimated.  Current resources will be allocated based on the priorities of the Society and the NCMS budget.

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