OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
POLICY COMPENDIUM
Through April 2023
5.000 ABORTION
5.001 Partial Birth Abortions
The OSMA is opposed to the performance of partial birth abortions. (B. 1999; reaffirmed H. 2019)
10.000 ACCIDENT PREVENTION: UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES
10.001 Horseback riding/headgear
OSMA supports the use of protective headgear for horseback riding. (H. 1983; reaffirmed H. 2019)
15.000 ACCIDENT PREVENTION: MOTOR VEHICLES
15.001 Seatbelts
Seatbelt requirements should be expanded to all ages, including passengers in both the front and back seats. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
20.000 ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
20.001 Athletes/HIV
HIV infected athletes should be allowed to compete in competitive sports at all levels of contest when proper preventive and precautionary guidelines are followed. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
20.005 Reducing HIV/STD Transmission
The OSMA supports programs that emphasize condom usage for people at risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. (H. 1997; reaffirmed H. 2019)
20.006 OSHA
OSMA supports adoption of the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for universal HIV testing. (H. 2019)
20.007 Patient Care
HIV and HBV patients should be treated the same as any other contagious disease or patient with a contagious disease and that physicians be allowed to use their best medical judgment in the care and treatment of (AIDS/HIV/HBV) and any medical problems related thereto. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
20.008 Recommended HIV Testing
There should be mandatory HIV testing of all pregnant women and newborns with counseling and recommendations for appropriate treatment. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
25.000 AGING
30.000 ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM
30.001 Alcohol History
OSMA supports and encourages physicians to take an alcohol history from their teenage and adult patients and to warn them of the serious consequences of alcohol consumption. (H. 1992; reaffirmed H. 2019)
30.002 Underage Drinking
Oklahoma State Medical Association support the recommendations from the Surgeon General’s Call to Action and from the Governor’s Task Force to reduce underage drinking. (H. 2008; reaffirmed H. 2019)
35.000 ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
40.000 ARMED FORCES
45.000 AVIATION MEDICINE
50.000 BLOOD
50.001 Availability of Blood Products
The Oklahoma State Medical Association supports increased reimbursement to blood centers through third parties to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood products for the people of the state of Oklahoma. Further, OSMA physician members should encourage blood donations and the assistance of community organizations providing grants/endowments to help support the continuing mission of community blood centers. (H. 2000; reaffirmed H. 2019)
55.000 CANCER
60.000 CHILDREN & YOUTH
60.001 Hepatitis B Vaccine for Children
The Oklahoma State Medical Association endorses the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, (ACIP) for the vaccination of all 11-12 year old children who have not previously received hepatitis B vaccine. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.002 Immunizations/Health Department
OSMA supports all efforts to increase vaccination of Oklahoma children. (H. 1992; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.003 Lead Screening
All physicians and public health departments are encouraged to regularly screen all children under the age of six for lead poisoning through a combination of history taking and by blood lead testing. All children with elevated blood lead levels should be reported to the appropriate health department in their community. (H. 1995; reaffirmed H. 2017)
60.005 Preventive Vaccines Support
The Oklahoma State Medical Association supports and endorses the OK By One Immunization Campaign, and urges the implementation of this immunization schedule by all vaccine providers in Oklahoma with appropriate compensation. (H. 2004; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.006 Right to Care
OSMA supports the principle that that Medicaid-eligible children have an enforceable right to receive EPSDT services and a right to enforce the equal access provision. (H. 2007; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.007 Tanning
OSMA supports policy prohibiting minors from being allowed to use indoor tanning bed equipment because indoor tanning devices emit UVA and UVB radiation and overexposure to UV radiation can lead to the development of skin cancer. (H. 2012; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.008 Special Needs
OSMA encourages the Oklahoma State Legislature to appropriate the requested funding for Sooner SUCCESS program now and supports its expansion statewide in the future. (H. 2007; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.009 Two-Year-Old Immunization Levels
The Oklahoma State Medical Association encourages physicians serving children to reduce barriers to vaccination, to participate in the Oklahoma state-wide immunization information system, encourage tracking and recalling children who are under-vaccinated, and to implement actions for reducing missed opportunities for vaccination. (H. 1999; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.010 Immunizations
The OSMA endorses requiring day care centers and homes to use the recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices as the rules and regulations governing the specific number of vaccine doses required and frequency of their administration to attend day care. (H. 1998; reaffirmed H. 2019)
60.011 Immunization Guidelines
OSMA Supports the immunization recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for all individuals without medical contraindications. (H. 2019)
65.000 CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
70.000 CODING AND NOMENCLATURE
70.001 “Medically Necessary” Defined
The OSMA recommends that the term “medical necessity” or “medically necessary” when used in reference to the evaluation and/or treatment of a patient by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy shall mean any evaluation provided by or at the direction of an M.D. or D.O., or treatment, which in the professional opinion of the M.D. or D.O. in consultation with and concurrent of the patient or his/her legal representative will provide functional, psychological or health benefits to the patient. (H. 1998; reaffirmed H. 2019)
70.002 “Screening” Defined
It is the recommendation of the Oklahoma State Medical Association that “screening”, which is a term referring solely to the examination of asymptomatic, apparently healthy individuals with no signs or symptoms of disease, typically undertaken to provide the individual examined with reassurance of his/her good health, shall not be considered the examination of symptomatic individual with signs or symptoms of disease for which a process of diagnosis or treatment is being undertaken by his/her physician. (H. 1998; reaffirmed H. 2019)
70.003 Third Party Payors
OSMA urges all physicians not to be identified as “health care provider” and to insist on being identified as “physicians.” (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
75.000 CONTRACEPTION
75.001 Birth Control
OSMA supports the use of an implantable birth control method for Medicaid patients deemed eligible for this method. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
80.000 CRIME
85.000 DEATH AND VITAL RECORDS
90.000 DISABLED
95.000 DRUG ABUSE
100.00 DRUGS
100.001 DEA Numbers
The Oklahoma State Medical Association discourages the use of DEA numbers by pharmaceutical companies for marketing purposes. (H. 1999; reaffirmed H. 2019)
100.002 Marijuana Reclassification
The Oklahoma State Medical Association supports the re-classification of “medical marijuana” as a Schedule 2 controlled substance with the goal of facilitating further study of potential “medical marijuana” uses. OSMA supports research to determine the consequences of long-term medical marijuana use, especially among youth, adolescents, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding. (H. 2018)
100.003 Gabapentin
The Oklahoma State Medical Association Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes the placement of (a) gabapentin (2-[1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexyl] acetic acid), including its salts, and all products containing gabapentin (including the brand name products Gralise and Neurontin) and (b) gabapentin enacarbil (1-{[({(1RS)-1-[(2- methylpropanoyl)oxy]ethoxy} carbonyl)amino]methyl} cyclohexyl) acetic acid), including its salts, (including the brand name product Horizant) into schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act. (H. 2022)
105.000 DRUGS: ADVERTISING
110.000 DRUGS: COST
115.000 DRUGS: LABELING AND PACKAGING
120.000 DRUGS: PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING
120.002 Suspicious Prescriptions
OSMA believes states should be incentivized, with federal assistance, to locally investigate, in collaboration with the Oklahoma State Medical Licensing Board, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy, all unusual or suspicious prescriptions written for narcotics and reported to the Prescription Monitoring Program. Appropriate actions by the appropriate governing bodies should be undertaken to stop such activity. (H. 2018)
125.000 DRUGS: SUBSTITUTION
130.000 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
130.002 Trauma Center System
OSMA supports and promotes the development of a regional Trauma Center System for the State of Oklahoma. (H. 1995; reaffirmed H. 2019)
133.000 END-OF-LIFE
135.000 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
135.001 Plastics and Styrofoam
OSMA supports elimination of plastics and Styrofoam in shipping samples and other materials to physicians and replaced with recyclable, biodegradable material. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
135.002 Safe Drinking Water Act
OSMA supports full aggressive enforcement of all the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Oklahoma. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
135.003 Lead Testing at Schools
OSMA strongly advocates that both the Oklahoma State Department of Education and private school entities (including early childhood care centers) test all school sites for lead, especially ones built before 1978. Additionally, OSMA calls on the Oklahoma State Department of Health to collect information about schools with lead-based paint so the children in these schools do not go untested for lead exposure. (H. 2017)
140.000 ETHICS
140.001 Fee Splitting
It is the policy of the Oklahoma State Medical Association that the payment of a “finder fee” for the referral of patients shall constitute “fee-splitting” and, as such, is unethical conduct and should be reported to the Oklahoma State Medical Association committee on medical ethics and competency, and to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision for appropriate disciplinary action (B. 1997; reaffirmed H. 2019)
140.002 Self-Referral
Physicians with investments in or ownership of facilities to which they refer patients are required to make full disclosure of involvement to avoid any real or perceived exploitation of patients. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
145.000 FIREARMS: SAFETY AND REGULATION
150.000 FOODS & NUTRITION
150.001 Hospital Cafeterias
OSMA supports the posting of the ingredients in the food served in hospital cafeterias to promote health awareness. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
150.003 WIC Program
OSMA supports expansion of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program for eligible women and children through the Oklahoma State Department of Health. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
155.000 HEALTH CARE COSTS
160.000 HEALTH CARE DELIVERY
160.003 Service Location
OSMA supports the practice of high-quality, cost-effective medicine by physicians regardless of the location in which they choose to practice. (H. 2006; reaffirmed H. 2019)
165.000 HEALTH SYSTEMS REFORM
165.001 Access to Care
Oklahoma State Medical Association supports the development and implementation of comprehensive health system reform that provides for universally available and affordable health insurance policy choices to our citizens, encouraging a healthier nation through the application of preventive medicine practices access by patients to care, by reimbursing physicians appropriately for their services. (H. 2008; reaffirmed H. 2019)
165.002 Health Care Reform Principles
OSMA believes that any health care reform legislation should ensure continued improvement in patient access to care and patient health insurance coverage by maintaining:
- Guaranteed insurability, including those with pre-existing conditions, without medical underwriting, or use of lifetime benefits as a reason for exclusion of patient medical services,
- Income-dependent tax credits to subsidize private health insurance for eligible patients,
- Federal funding for the expansion of Medicaid to 138% of the federal poverty level in states willing to accept expansion,
- Maintaining dependents on family insurance plans until the age of 26,
- Coverage for preventive health services,
- Medical loss ratios set at no less than 85% to protect patients from excessive insurance costs. (H. 2017)
OSMA believes that any health care reform legislation should meet these goals:
- Allow patients a broad choice of physicians, plans and coverage through Health Savings Accounts, private insurers, government programs, and Medicare private contracting, enhance programs to ensure insurance portability,
- Stabilize and strengthen individual insurance market,
- Provide access to affordable prescription drugs,
- Ensure that Medicaid, CHIP and other safety net programs are maintained and adequately funded,
- Reduce regulatory burdens that detract from patient care and increase cost,
- Provide greater transparency throughout the healthcare system,
- Incorporate common sense liability reforms,
- Continue the advancement of delivery reforms in new physician-led payment models to achieve better outcomes, higher quality and lower spending trends, such as Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative,
- Repeal of the independent payment advisory board. (H. 2017)
165.003 Tax Credits for Insurance
OSMA supports the idea of both tax deductions and tax credits being used to encourage the individual ownership of health insurance. (H. 2007; reaffirmed H. 2019)
170.000 HEALTH EDUCATION
170.001 Education/AIDS
OSMA supports education of the public in general and members, concerning AIDS (H. 1987; reaffirmed H. 2019)
170.002 Health Hazards/Tobacco
OSMA encourages all physicians to explain the health hazards of smoking to their patients. (H. 1984; reaffirmed H. 2019)
170.003 Planning for Childbearing
OSMA supports age-appropriate education in esteem building, decision making and family life in an effort to introduce the concept of planning for childbearing in the educational process. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
170.004 Prevention of Health Care Problems
OSMA supports programs aimed at the prevention of health care problems through education. (H. 1990; reaffirmed H. 2019)
175.000 HEALTH FRAUDS
180.000 HEALTH INSURANCE
180.001 Hold Harmless and Indemnification Clauses
OSMA opposes all hold harmless and indemnification clauses proposed by any health provider organization or insurance company and will timely notify its physician members of such agreements and the risk implications. (H. 1990; reaffirmed H. 2019)
180.002 Medical Catastrophic Insurance
OSMA supports the concept of medical catastrophic insurance. (H. 1986; reaffirmed H. 2019)
180.003 Pre-admission
OSMA opposes pre-admission requirement for hospitals by government, industry and private health insurance carriers. (H. 1985; reaffirmed H. 2019)
180.004 Quality Rating Programs
Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes any plans proposed by insurers implementing so called quality rating programs within our state that are more concerned about money than quality. (H. 2008; reaffirmed H. 2019)
180.005 OSEEGIB/Single Zone System
OSMA supports a single-zone payment system in the Oklahoma State Education Employees Group Insurance plan. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
180.006 Geographic Area Calculation
OSMA supports elimination of the use of geographic areas in calculating physician reimbursement by third party payors. (H. 1981; reaffirmed H. 2019)
185.000 HEALTH INSURANCE: BENEFITS AND COVERAGE
185.001 Immunization Insurance Coverage
The OSMA endorses a requirement for insurance companies in Oklahoma to provide full coverage for immunizations without co-payments or deductibles and the same coverage should be offered by the State Employee Group Insurance program. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
185.002 Fibrocystic Discrimination
OSMA opposes insurance companies discriminating against women with “fibrocystic changes” regarding future insurance claims or coverage for all subsequent diagnostic tests known or unknown to be cancerous or benign. (H. 1992; reaffirmed H. 2019)
185.003 Mental Illness/Chemical Dependence
OSMA supports requiring insurance companies and other delivery payment systems to provide coverage for mental illness/chemical dependence. (H. 1991; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
190.000 HEALTH INSURANCE: CLAIMS FORMS AND CLAIMS PROCESSING
190.001 Prompt Payment
OSMA supports legislation that would ensure that principles of transparency and accountability are applied to the insurance industry and to ensure that physicians and other providers receive payment from insurance companies in a timely fashion. (H. 2009; reaffirmed H. 2019)
195.000 HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS
200.000 HEALTH WORKFORCE
200.001 Medical Assistants
OSMA supports the American Association of Medical Assistants and encourages members’ staff to join and offer financial assistance to that end. (H. 1981; reaffirmed H. 2019)
205.000 HEALTH PLANNING
210.000 HOME HEALTH SERVICES
215.000 HOSPITALS
220.000 HOSPITALS: ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
225.000 HOSPITALS: MEDICAL STAFF
225.001 Economic Criteria
OSMA opposes use of economic criteria not related to quality of care in the granting of hospital medical staff privileges. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
225.002 Physician Advocacy
Physicians have a duty and a right to advocate for their patients, for themselves, and for their peers and should be protected from adverse consequences from any employer, institution, healthcare system, or insurer for their patient safety advocacy efforts. (H. 2022)
230.000 HOSPITALS: MEDICAL STAFF, CREDENTIALING AND PRIVILEGES
235.000 HOSPITALS: MEDICAL STAFF – ORGANIZATION
235.001 Amending Medical Staff Bylaws
The Oklahoma State Medical Association supports hospital medical staff self-governance, and it opposes a hospital’s unilateral amendment of medical staff bylaws. OSMA will assist medical staffs by providing legal help and support, if determined appropriate by the OSMA Board of Trustees, when a hospital board unilaterally changes the medical staff bylaws. (H. 2022)
240.000 HOSPITALS: REIMBURSEMENT
245.000 INFANT HEALTH
245.001 Breast Feeding
The OSMA supports parent education for all potential expectant and current parents on optimal infant nutrition emphasizing the positive aspects of breast feeding and the proper choice and utilization of breast mild substitutes. (H. 1997; reaffirmed H. 2019)
245.002 Rotavirus Vaccine
The Oklahoma State Medical Association endorses the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation to routinely vaccinate all full-term infants with Rotavirus vaccine. (H. 1999; reaffirmed H. 2019)
245.003 Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
The OSMA recommends that universal newborn hearing screening be provided to all infants prior to discharge from hospitals or birthing facilities. (H. 1998; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
250.000 INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
255.000 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
260.000 LABORATORIES
260.001 Laboratories
OSMA endorses the accreditation program for office laboratories of the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA). (H. 1992; reaffirmed H. 2019)
265.000 LEGAL MEDICINE
270.000 LEGISLATION & REGULATION
270.001 Air Quality
OSMA supports Clean Air Act and opposes any efforts to weaken Act. (H. 1982; reaffirmed H. 2019)
270.002 Commissioner of Health
OSMA policy provides that only a fully licensed physician should serve as Commissioner of Health. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
270.004 Health Departments/Leadership
OSMA supports that the Oklahoma State Department of Health, City-County Health Departments, and other local Health Departments of the State be headed by medical health officers. (H. 1986; reaffirmed H. 2019)
270.005 OSMA Interaction
It is the policy of the OSMA to constantly seek interaction with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, the O.U. College of Public Health, the O.U. College of Medicine, the Physician Manpower Training Commission, and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. (H. 1995; reaffirmed H. 2019)
270.007 Overdose Prevention
OSMA supports legislation stating that bystanders who call for emergency assistance in a suspected overdose situation are exempt from arrest or prosecution for simple drug possession, possession of paraphernalia, and/or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. (H. 2016, reaffirmed H. 2023).
270.008 Increasing Advocacy
The Oklahoma State Medical Association supports the use of virtual meetings when feasible for state agency open meetings to allow for greater participation by members from across Oklahoma for a broader range of input to guide policy making decisions. (H. 2022)
275.000 LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE
275.002 Maintenance of Certification
OSMA opposes discrimination by hospitals and any employer, the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, and other entities, which might restrict a physician's right to practice medicine without interference (including economic discrimination by varying fee schedules) due to lack of certification, lack of participation in FSMB/ABMS prescribed corporate programs including Maintenance of Licensure or expiration of time-limited Board Certification. (H. 2013; Reaffirmed H. 2015; Reaffirmed H. 2022)
275.003 Alternative Pathways for Board Re-Certification
OSMA supports alternative pathways for board re-certification (e.g. NBPAS) and maintenance of certification. (H. 2016; reaffirmed H. 2023)
275.004 Physician Recovery
OSMA opposes discrimination or punitive actions against physicians that have been or are in a recognized recovery program by third parties and/or licensing boards. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
275.005 Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
OSMA supports enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for allopathic and osteopathic physicians in Oklahoma. (H. 2019)
280.000 LONG-TERM CARE
285.000 MANAGED CARE
290.000 MEDICAID AND STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS
290.001 Medicaid Reform
OSMA supports Medicaid reform efforts that provide adequate reimbursement for physicians and hospitals, promote the concept of a “medical home” for all patients to coordinate and manage care, enhance and promote preventative care and avoid creating a “two-tiered” health system. OSMA encourages the state Medicaid system to expand the O-EPIC program or incorporate elements of it into the Medicaid system, to implement pilot programs to explore ways to integrate public and private health insurance initiatives, and to pursue and/or expand “smart card” technologies that integrate eligibility, claims submission and health and human service programs under one platform. (H. 2006; reaffirmed H. 2019)
290.002 Retribution for Cancellation
OSMA requests that officials of the Federal government and the Oklahoma state government refrain from imposing penalties or retribution on a provider that finds it necessary to discontinue serving Medicaid patients. (H. 2016; reaffirmed H. 2023)
295.000 MEDICAL EDUCATION
300.000 MEDICAL EDUCATION: CONTINUING
300.001 AMA Physician’s Recognition Award
OSMA endorses the concept of continuing medical education and recommends and encourages all association members to attain the “AMA Physician’s Recognition Award” or its equivalent. (H. 1989; reaffirmed H. 1995; reaffirmed H. 2019)
305.000 MEDICAL EDUCATION: FINANCING AND SUPPORT
305.001 Tax/Tobacco
OSMA supports tax on tobacco dedicated to funding of medical education. (H. 1989; reaffirmed H. 2019)
310.000 MEDICAL EDUCATION: GRADUATE
310.001 Residency Funding
OSMA urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Congress to create a supplemental private funding opportunity in addition to current funding sources to help develop additional residency training positions with private donations to cope with the critical shortage of primary care physicians in our country. (H. 2012; reaffirmed H. 2019)
315.000 MEDICAL RECORDS AND PATIENT PRIVACY
315.001 Medical Records
The medical record is a confidential physician tool used to chronicle the medical history and physical and mental status of a patient and was not designed nor was it ever intended to be used to determine physician reimbursement. (H. 1998; reaffirmed H. 2019)
315.003 Electronic Medical Records: Vendors
OSMA supports legislative or regulatory efforts to place responsibility for the efficacy and effectiveness of EHR and CPOE systems and their implementation on healthcare vendors. Penalties currently focused on the provider community should be passed onto the vendors who are most responsible for delays and increased risk to patient safety that result from use of their systems. (H. 2011; reaffirmed H. 2016; reaffirmed H. 2023)
320.000 MEDICAL REVIEW
325.000 MEDICAL SOCIETIES
330.000 MEDICARE
330.001 Admission Attestation
OSMA opposes the admission attestation statement required by CMS, as it is redundant and provides no relevant data in rendering care to a patient. (H. 2014; reaffirmed H. 2021)
330.002 Claims Data
OSMA opposes the release of CMS Medicare claims data to the general public without an explanation as to the distribution of those dollars. (H. 2014; reaffirmed H. 2021)
330.006 Merit Based Incentive Payment System
OSMA encourages Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congress and the White House to revise the Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) to a simplified quality and payment system, with significant input from practicing physicians, that focuses on easing regulatory burden on physicians, allowing physicians to focus on quality patient care. (H. 2017)
330.008 Single State Area/Medicare
OSMA supports a single state reimbursement area in Oklahoma. (H. 1982; reaffirmed H. 1990; reaffirmed H. 2019)
335.000 MEDICARE: CARRIER REVIEW
340.000 MEDICARE: PRO
345.000 MENTAL HEALTH
350.000 MINORITIES
355.000 NATIONAL PRACTITIONER DATA BANK
360.000 NURSES AND NURSING
365.000 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
370.000 ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION
370.001 Organ Donor Participation
The OSMA encourages organ donor participation. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
375.000 PEER REVIEW
380.000 PHYSICIAN FEES
380.001 Direct Billing
OSMA endorses the concept of direct billing for physicians’ services (B. 1979; reaffirmed H. 2019)
380.002 Fee Disclosure
OSMA opposes fee disclosure rule requirement for emergency/non-elective situations. (H. 1990; reaffirmed H. 2019)
383.000 PHYSICIAN NEGOTIATION
385.000 PHYSICIAN PAYMENT
385.001 Inability to Pay
OSMA supports the continuation of care of Medicaid patients regardless of their ability to pay or the uncertainty of reimbursement rates. (H. 1992; reaffirmed H. 2019)
385.002 Inability to Pay
OSMA members pledge to treat all patients in accordance with their medical needs and shall not withhold services based on inability to pay for such services. (H. 1983; reaffirmed H. 2019)
385.004 Pay For Performance
The OSMA opposes any Pay For Performance program that does not meet all of the criteria as set forth by the American Medical Association. Any such program should be totally voluntary, with the costs of any reporting system being covered by the carrier requesting such information. Any physician who declines to participate in such program should not be punished or denied payment for his/her services based on the non-participation in program. (H. 2006; reaffirmed H. 2014; reaffirmed H. 2021)
390.000 PHYSICIAN PAYMENT: MEDICARE
390.001 Physician Reimbursement/Medicare
OSMA opposes the publication of lists naming physicians and the amounts they receive as Medicare-Medicaid reimbursement. (B. 1977; reaffirmed H. 2019)
390.002 Physician Reimbursement/Limits on Charges
OSMA supports legislation to remove limits on charges for physician services under Medicare. (H. 2008; reaffirmed H. 2019)
395.000 PHYSICIAN PAYMENT: MEDICARE – EXPENDITURES
400.000 PHYSICIAN PAYMENT: MEDICARE – RBRVS
405.000 PHYSICIANS
405.001 Leadership Oklahoma
Leadership Oklahoma, a not-for-profit organization providing training in all aspects of industry throughout the state, including education, oil and gas, leadership, medicine, criminal justice, government, etc., is endorsed by the Oklahoma State Medical Association and all of the OSMA’s officers and/or potential leaders are encouraged to participate, if possible. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
405.002 Use of the Term “Physician”
The term “physician” should be applied and limited to those people who have attained a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or Medicinae Baccalaureus Baccalaureus Chirurgiae (MBBS) physician degree (H. 2020; reaffirmed H. 2022)
410.000 PRACTICE PARAMETERS
410.001 Diabetic Patient Eye-Care
The OSMA encourages primary physicians to refer patients with diabetes mellitus to an ophthalmologist for an annual retinopathy screening. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
410.002 Treatment by Licensed Physician Only
The Oklahoma State Medical Association affirms the concept that decision-making and implantation functions involved with the medical diagnosis or treatment of patients be carried out only by allopathic or osteopathic physicians licensed by and in the state of Oklahoma. (H. 1997; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
410.003 Speech and Hearing
OSMA adopted a policy statement reaffirming the traditional role of the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing, speech, and equilibratory disorders and opposing the referral of patients to a speech and hearing center not medically supervised. (H. 1979; reaffirmed H. 2019)
410.004 Laser Surgery
It is OSMA policy that the use of lasers for surgery should only be performed by a fully trained and licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician. (H. 1992; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
410.005 Initial Diagnosis
OSMA supports policies that recommend an allopathic or osteopathic specialty physician be involved in the establishment of the initial diagnosis and treatment plan in the new evaluation of all patients. (B. 2019)
410.006 Physician-led, Transparent, Team-Based Care
The Oklahoma State Medical Association advocates for all patients to have physician-led team-based care and to advocate for truth and transparency regarding healthcare practitioners’ education and title. OSMA opposes any legislative effort to expand the independent practice of medicine to any professional who is not an allopathic or osteopathic physician, including, but not limited to advanced practice registered nurses, pharmacists and physician assistants. (H. 2022)
415.000 PREFERRED PROVIDER ARRANGEMENTS
420.000 PREGNANCY
420.001 Folic Acid for Preventions of Neural-Tube Defects
The OSMA supports all efforts to educate and inform Oklahoma women of child-bearing age the importance of obtaining adequate levels of folic acid to prevent neural-tube defects. (H. 1996; reaffirmed H. 2019)
420.002 Planning for Pregnancy
OSMA urges health care professionals providing care for women of reproductive age to assist them in planning for pregnancy. OSMA further supports age-appropriate education in esteem building, decision making and family life in an effort to introduce the concept of planning for childbearing in the education process. (H. 1991; reaffirmed H. 2019)
420.003 Reducing Unintended Pregnancy
The OSMA urges health care professionals providing care to women of reproductive age, to assist them in planning for pregnancy, and supports age-appropriate education in esteem building, decision making, and family life in an effort to introduce the concept of planning for childbearing in the educational process. (H. 1997; reaffirmed H. 2019)
425.000 PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
425.001 Aspirin
OSMA supports the creation of a statewide educational campaign urging Oklahomans at risk for cardiovascular diseases to talk to their physician immediately about whether Aspirin is appropriate for them. (H. 2008; reaffirmed H. 2019)
425.002 Reporting Immunizations
The OSMA encourages all health care professionals who administer immunizations to enter this information into the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System. (OSIIS) (H. 1997; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
430.000 PRISONS
435.000 PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
440.000 PUBLIC HEALTH
440.001 Obesity: Physical Activity and Nutrition
Oklahoma State Medical Association endorses the mission of Oklahoma’s public health approach to reducing obesity and other chronic diseases through improved nutrition and physical activity programs of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. OSMA will advocate for funding for evidence-based initiatives to increase physical activity and nutrition and for the development of systems change in worksites, schools and communities to decrease obesity. OSMA will work to educate physicians on the importance of using Body Mass Index (BMI) with all patients as a “vital sign” of health status. (H. 2005; reaffirmed H. 2019)
440.002 E-cigarettes
OSMA and its membership strongly advise their patients and the general public not to use e-cigarettes Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) due to the unknown consequences of prolonged use and also possible addiction to nicotine. OSMA supports efforts to discourage the use of e-cigarettes (ENDS) by young adults with a public awareness campaign similar to anti-tobacco campaign. (H. 2015; Reaffirmed H. 2022)
440.003 Fluoridation
OSMA supports fluoridation of community water supplies. (H. 1981; reaffirmed H. 2019)
440.004 Sexually Transmitted Disease
OSMA supports screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in sexually active individuals by primary care physicians in accordance with the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD Treatment Guidelines. (H. 2019)
440.005 Hand Hygiene
OSMA supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Oklahoma State Department of Health standards for hand hygiene, including for food handlers and healthcare providers. (H. 2019)
445.000 PUBLIC RELATIONS
450.000 QUALITY OF CARE
455.000 RADIATION AND RADIOLOGY
460.000 RESEARCH
465.000 RURAL HEALTH
470.000 SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
475.000 SURGERY
475.001 Outpatient Surgery
OSMA supports utilization of outpatient surgical care for patients on appropriate procedures under the care of attending allopathic or osteopathic physicians. (H. 1981; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
478.000 TECHNOLOGY: COMPUTER
480.000 TECHNOLOGY
480.001 Universal Internet Access and Telehealth Equity
The Oklahoma State Medical Association recognizes broadband Internet access as a social determinant of health and the lack of affordable, reliable broadband internet is a barrier for equitable access to care. The OSMA supports universal access to stable, reliable broadband Internet. (H. 2022)
485.000 TELEVISION
490.000 TOBACCO USE, PREVENTION AND CESSATION
490.001 Environmental Tobacco Smoke
OSMA declares that environmental tobacco smoke is a major health problem. (H. 1993; reaffirmed H. 2019)
490.002 Tax/Tobacco
OSMA supports increasing the tax on cigarettes. (H. 2016; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
490.003 User Fees/Tobacco
OSMA supports user fees on tobacco products for the purposes of treating smoking induced illnesses. (H. 1985; reaffirmed H. 2019)
495.000 TOBACCO: LABELING AND WARNINGS
500.000 TOBACCO: MARKETING AND PROMOTION
500.002 Federal Subsidies/Tobacco
OSMA opposes federal subsidies to the tobacco industry. (H. 1985; reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.000 TOBACCO: PROHIBITIONS ON SALE AND USE
505.001 Ban/Tobacco/Hospitals
OSMA supports a ban on the use of tobacco products or electronic nicotine delivery systems in all patient areas in hospitals. (H. 1981; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.002 Tobacco/Use
OSMA encourages the Oklahoma State Department of Health to develop and implement a statewide policy to eliminate the use of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems in all public places. (H. 2001; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.003 Tobacco/Prohibition
OSMA supports prohibition of the use of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems by students, faculty, and coaches. (H. 1986; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.004 Tobacco/Sale to Minors
OSMA supports scrupulous enforcement law prohibiting sale of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems to minors. (H. 1993; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.005 Tobacco-Free Schools
OSMA supports the adoption of tobacco-free school laws or policies that incorporate the guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for school-based health programs to prevent tobacco use and addiction. (H. 2010; reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.006 Sales/Tobacco
OSMA supports legislation to ban the sale of tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems and/or tobacco by-products in retail outlets housing store-based health clinics. (H. 2008; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
505.007 Recognition Program
OSMA urges the AMA to develop a recognition program for pharmacies that voluntarily agree to eliminate the sale of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems. (H. 2012; amended and reaffirmed H. 2019)
510.000 VETERANS: MEDICAL CARE
510.001 Prescription Monitoring Programs
The OSMA supports the health care providers in the Department of Veterans Affairs being permitted to utilize the prescription monitoring program to allow for more effective monitoring of controlled medications that include narcotics and benzodiazepines. The OSMA urges increased collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans service organizations to encourage community-based efforts between VA and non-VA based physicians and state-operated prescription monitoring programs. (H. 2012; reaffirmed H. 2019)
515.000 VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
520.000 WAR
520.001 Nuclear War
OSMA supports education of physicians and public on the medical consequences of nuclear war. (H. 1983; reaffirmed H. 2019)
525.000 WOMEN
600.000 GOVERNANCE
600.001 OSMA Dues
OSMA waives annual dues for any member elected to Congress, the Legislative Branch or service in the Executive Branch of the Federal or State Governments until such term of office expires. (H. 1987; reaffirmed H. 2019)
600.002 Sunset Clause
All OSMA policies shall have a mandatory sunset clause at seven (7) years.
- As the House of Delegates adopts policies, a maximum seven-year time horizon shall exist. A policy will typically sunset after seven years unless action is taken by the House of Delegates to retain it. Any action of our House of Delegates that reaffirms or amends an existing policy position shall reset the sunset "clock," making the reaffirmed or amended policy viable for another seven (7) years.
- In the implementation and ongoing operation of our policy sunset mechanism, the following procedures shall be followed: (a) Each year, the Speakers/Executive Committee shall provide a list of policies that are subject to review under the policy sunset mechanism; (b) Such policies shall be assigned to the appropriate Council/Committee for review; (c) Each Council/Committee that has been asked to review policies shall develop and submit a report to the Executive Committee/Board of Trustees identifying policies that are scheduled to sunset; (d) For each policy under review, the reviewing body can recommend one of the following actions: (i) Retain the policy; (ii) Sunset the policy; (iii) Retain part of the policy; or (iv) Reconcile the policy with more recent and like policy; (e) For each recommendation that it makes to retain a policy in any fashion, the reviewing body shall provide a succinct, but cogent justification; (f) The Speakers shall determine the best way for the House of Delegates to handle the sunset reports. (H. 2018)
600.003 Resolutions with Legal or Ethical Concerns
All resolutions submitted for our OSMA to be considered as business of the House of Delegates be evaluated by legal counsel for legal or ethical problems before being accepted as official business. When a resolution presents a legal or ethical problem, a due process of appeal shall be established. This process shall be as follows:
- The Speaker, legal counsel or other OSMA staff will contact the author/sponsor to discuss and remedy the points of ethical or legal concern. Subsequently, the author/sponsor will have the opportunity to revise the resolution if indicated. If the author/sponsor is able to resolve the legal or ethical problem, then the resolution will be distributed in a routine manner to the House of Delegates. However, if for whatever reason it is not possible to resolve the legal or ethical problem, the Speaker will designate the resolution as “deferred,” and will refer the resolution to a balanced unbiased committee, appointed by the Speaker, for evaluation. This committee will make recommendation of the resolution to the Board of Trustees. No “deferred” resolution will be distributed to the House of Delegates in advance.
- The committee will consider deferred resolutions prior to the Board of Trustees before the opening of the House of Delegates. A representative of OSMA Legal Counsel and the author/sponsor will be invited to the meeting to discuss the resolution. The committee will recommend that the Board of Trustees to accept or not accept the resolution. A majority vote of the Board of Trustees is required for acceptance of a deferred resolution. If resolution is accepted, it will be referred to the House of Delegates as official business for consideration. (H. 2021)