TAFP local chapter news:

September meetings address hot topics
in family medicine

Two TAFP local chapter meetings in Harris County and Travis County drew attention to current issues facing the specialty and brought in experts to address the audience.

The Travis County AFP held a meeting on Sept. 8. The group of 50 heard a report on the upcoming legislative session from TAFP CEO Tom Banning as well as how members in Austin can get involved in TAFP’s advocacy efforts. Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, laid out the background and information on the patient-centered medical home model supported by AAFP. The audience asked questions about the medical home, including how physician payment could function under the model.

On Sept. 10, the Harris County AFP held a panel discussion on the uninsured anchored by Edward Langston, M.D., chair of the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees. The audience of 120 had the opportunity to ask Langston and other panel members—HCAFP President Ashok Tripathy, M.D., Texas Delegate to the AMA Art Klawitter, M.D., Chair of AAFP’s Delegation to AMA Dale Moquist, M.D., and Banning—questions about this and a variety of topics. Other questions ranged from payment reform for primary care to retail health clinics.