Replies

1) What person of entity is the accredited CME provider for this event? Must be on either this list http://www.accme.org/dir_docs/doc_upload/d0d4eda4-4e41-4661-a3ce-ec00dff65afd_uploaddocument.xls or this list http://www.accme.org/dir_docs/doc_upload/edac2232-1a70-4a7e-8460-969b76ea53d9_uploaddocument.xls to qualify to give CME credit. The American Hospital Association is not on either list, so unless this event has a formal joint sponsor that *is* on the list, the event is not eligible for CME credit.

2) I don’t see anything in the basic ACCME statement re requirements for content http://www.accme.org/index.cfm/fa/Policy.policy/Policy_id/16f1c694-d03b-4241-bd1a-44b2d072dc5e.cfm that explicitly rules out political content. However, it’s a stretch to make political content fit the requirements unless the audience consists of physicians directly involved in the legislative process (e.g. perhaps senior hospital managers whose job normally entails discussing the implications of certain legislation with lawmakers or their representatives).

3) I don’t see any evidence that tax dollars are directly involved in staging this event, so unless you can clearly document that, I’d leave it out of your complaint. But you definitely *should* file a complaint with the ACCME, requesting that this event be declared ineligible for CME credit based on its apparently one-sided political advocacy content. Complaint procedure here: http://www.accme.org/dir_docs/doc_upload/5425eedc-f494-4859-9451-e3b1cfabbeb8_uploaddocument.pdf You should also register a complaint with the AMA, since it is also involved in the process: “G. Provider monitoring
In addition to the ACCME accreditation process, the AMA monitors accredited providers’ activity brochures and announcements on a regular basis for compliance with AMA PRA credit system requirements. Whenever warranted, the AMA will proceed with follow-up inquiries to ascertain and address provider compliance with AMA PRA credit system requirements.” http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/455/pra2006.pdf#page=6

Thanks for all that background. The state medical society has approved the activity for AMA category I CME credit. Don't forget that the AMA signed on to this trash legislation. I agree, it would be hard to show that tax payer money was used directly. However, The American Hospital Organization is a lobbying group that was a key player in passing Obama-care. The administration is now spending $125,000,000 in order to ramp up support for a bill that has already been passed. This is in advance of the November election. Call me cynical, but I would be very surprised if there were not some mechanism whereby groups like the AHO are used in this effort.

Nevertheless, I will file a complaint.