MINNEAPOLIS, July 2, 2009 - J. James Rohack, M.D., AMA president, will be a featured speaker at the MMA’s annual meeting, September 17 in Rochester.

Rohack, who recently took the helm of the American Medical Association, has already become a key player in the nation’s health care reform debate, trying to further change while at the same time representing a diverse group of physician interests.

Rohack has been quoted in the national media about the AMA’s position on offering a public insurance option for Americans under age 65—an issue that some physicians support and others oppose.

In Senate testimony earlier this year, the AMA opposed a public option, warning it could drive private insurers out of the market. Recently, Rohack has been delivering a nuanced message indicating the AMA is open to either allowing people without insurance to buy into the system that insures federal employees or the creation of a non-profit cooperative that would provide insurance in states or regions.

The AMA is also trying to work with the Obama administration to change Medicare’s physician reimbursement formula, which results in annual payment cuts.

Whatever happens, Rohack will have seat at the table during this summer’s health care reform debate. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear him speak at the MMA’s Annual Meeting awards luncheon from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., September 17 in Rochester.

There is room for a limited number of MMA members who are not delegates to attend the lunch. There will be a $25 lunch fee for attendees who are not delegates. If you are interested in becoming a delegate or attending the lunch, contact Vicki Westling at vwestiling@mnmed.org.

Rohack bio information
J. James Rohack was first elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2001and served as board chair from 2004 to 2005. He has chaired the AMA Council on Medical Education and represented the AMA on the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education, The Joint Commission, and the National Advisory Council to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He continues to serve on the Hospital Quality Alliance.

Rohack has held leadership positions in Texas Medical Association, and was first elected to represent Texas physicians in the AMA House of Delegates more than 20 years ago. He is a former president and board member of the Texas Medical Association. Rohack also served as president of the American Heart Association's Texas affiliate.

Rohack is a professor in the department of medicine and the department of medical humanities in medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, director of the Center for Healthcare Policy at Scott and White Health Plan, a nonprofit HMO in Temple, Texas, where he continues his clinical practice.

Rohack completed his undergraduate education at the University of Texas at El Paso and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1980.