Annual Session 2010 Minutes in Brief

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors met on Saturday, July 24, 2010, to hear reports and recommendations from TAFP’s committees, commissions, and sections. Below are the highlights of the meeting, which included a robust discussion of the upcoming legislative session with representatives from Texas Medical Association. for a complete copy of the minutes, contact Kathy McCarthy at (512) 329-8666 ext 14 or at kmccarthy@tafp.org.

TAFP FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Foundation announced the creation of the David Katerndahl, M.D. Research Champion Fund within the Research Endowment. The Board voted to allocate $25,000 of reserves for this purpose.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee heard from Joe Cunningham, M.D., on the subject of federal health care reform. The committee also discussed strategic partnerships for TAFP and asked staff to review and evaluate proposals and provide a risk analysis for potential partners. Staff will develop a proposal of principals and guidelines for future partnerships.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Board approved the proposed fiscal year 2011 operating budget and the fiscal year 2011 capital budget.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Board elected the slate of directors and alternates presented by the Nominating Committee. They also approved several AAFP commission recommendations from the committee.

COMMISSION ON ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP focus advocacy efforts on modifying the timeline for IMG licensure. Currently United States graduates can obtain a license at the end of their first year of residency while IMGs must wait until after they complete residency. This results in IMGs leaving the state to avoid a waiting period to begin practicing.

COMMISSION ON ANNUAL SESSION AND CME

The Board approved a new CME mission statement as recommended by the commission.

COMMISSION ON CORE DELEGATION

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP send a resolution of condolence for the late Harold High, M.D., to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.

COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND MANAGED CARE

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP present lectures and other communications on Accountable Care Organizations and payment reform models.

COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The commission heard from guests Harvey Kronberg of the Quorum Report and House Rep. Larry Taylor. The commission also discussed political priorities in the upcoming legislative session.

COMMISSION ON MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER SERVICES

The Board approved a recommendation to initiate a dues rebate program enacted during the 2011 dues cycle for physician members who are in their first year of practice.

SECTION ON RESEARCH

The Board approved a recommendation that this section sunset after Interim Session 2011 and that its concentration be absorbed by the Commission on Public Health, Clinical Affairs, and Research.

SECTION ON SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES

The section selected Khalida Yasmin, M.D., to serve on the Executive Committee and Zafreen Siddiqui, M.D., to serve on the Board of Directors.

CALL FOR PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

Any TAFP member wishing to submit a proposed amendment to the TAFP bylaws must submit it to Kathy McCarthy at TAFP headquarters by Dec. 15, 2010. The TAFP bylaws can be viewed online at www.tafp.org/membership/get-involved/resources.

Amendments can be e-mailed to kmccarthy@tafp.org or faxed to (512) 329-8237. Members submitting a proposed amendment must include a statement giving the rationale for the amendment.

The TAFP Bylaws Committee will review the amendments at the 2011 Interim Session meeting on March 12, 2011. The Chair of the Bylaws Committee will present the proposed amendments, with the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee, to the Board of Directors at Interim Session. If the Board of Directors approves the amendment, it will go before the TAFP members in attendance at the TAFP Annual Business Meeting in July 2011.