FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 18, 2010      

Osteopathic Medical Profession to Vote on Health Care Policies
Including Childhood Obesity and Medical Marijuana

(CHICAGO)— Representatives of the nation’s more than 70,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) will consider policies supporting limited use of vending machines in schools and encouraging further research into the use of medical marijuana when they convene Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, for the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Annual House of Delegates Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

History will be made during the meeting when the AOA swears in its first female president, Karen J. Nichols, DO, an AOA board-certified internal medicine physician from Oak Brook, Ill. Dr. Nichols serves as dean of the Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill. She will be sworn in as the AOA’s 114th president on July 17. The delegates also will elect 2010-2011 officers.

During the meeting, delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students will vote on organizational policies surrounding a variety of health care issues, including:

Childhood Obesity Epidemic — The development of childhood obesity has been linked to the quality and quantity of food choices available. Although many schools are offering healthier lunch options, students still have access to junk food in vending machines. Delegates will consider policies that support the limitation of vending machines in schools as a measure to help children avoid consuming excess calories. The policy also calls for the AOA to educate schools and vending machine suppliers about the need for healthy snack choices. Read the resolution (PDF 33K)

Medical Marijuana — Even though 14 states have authorized medical marijuana use for patients with chronic debilitating disease, the Drug Enforcement Agency maintains that there is not any proof of medicinal benefits to its users. The policy calls for the AOA to support the medical use of smoked marijuana but only after scientific evidence can demonstrate the benefits, side effects and complications of its use. Read the resolution (PDF 37K)

Medical Clinics in Facilities Selling Tobacco — According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking accounts for more than 440,000 deaths each year. Placing retail medical clinics in establishments that sell tobacco products is contrary to the efforts of physicians who encourage their patients not to smoke as a way of preventing chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease. The policy calls to ban or discourage the placement of retail medical clinics in stores that sell tobacco. Read the resolution (PDF 39K)

In-Vitro Fertilization — After giving birth to octuplets via in-vitro fertilization last year, a single California mother faced negative public reaction when it was discovered she already has six other children also conceived through in-vitro fertilization. The ethics of the physician who performed the procedure also were called into question. Delegates will consider supporting ethical guidelines set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine that include the appropriate number of embryos implanted per patient. The policy also would direct the AOA to support in-vitro fertilization in a manner that promotes the health and safety of both the mother and her children by appropriately managing fertility patients.  Read the resolution (PDF 54K)

Access to Care — The passage of health care reform earlier this year paves the way for more Americans to receive medical care. But, will there be enough physicians to provide care for these new patients? Delegates are considering renewing several policies to ensure the answer to that question is yes, including improving access to health care in rural and medically underserved areas and providing tax credits for physicians who practice in a federally designated health profession shortage area. The following resolutions support measures to ensure access to care in rural and underserved areas:

• Rural Sites —  Osteopathic Education In (PDF 42K)
• Patient Access In Rural Areas (PDF 42K)
• Graduate Medical Education Funding for Residency Programs Using (PDF 48K)
• Physician Incentives to Underserved Areas (PDF 43K)
• Tax Credits for Health Profession Shortage Areas (PDF 50K) 

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 70,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

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Media Note
The AOA House of Delegates is open to the media. The media registration form (DOC format) can be e-mailed or faxed to Nicole Grady, AOA media relations manager, at ngrady@osteopathic.org or (312) 202-8338. Those who pre-register will receive the full library of proposed resolutions prior to the meeting.

Contact: 
Nicole Grady
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8038 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8038 (Office)
ngrady@osteopathic.org

Mike Campea
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8043 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8043 (Office)
mcampea@osteopathic.org