Impact Statements
Joseph M. Heyman, MD
Chair, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association
"As a gynecologist in solo practice coping with real world challenges, I am so grateful to be included as an equal stakeholder with large corporations and big delivery systems working on the Connecting for Health Common Framework Policies. While understanding others' needs and goals, I am a voice for the majority of physicians in this country in small practices just trying to get through the maze of problems they face on the front lines of care delivery. Most are working very hard and don't have time or resources to make big investments in health information technology. The Common Framework has been an instrumental and valuable resource in developing policies for my own local community health information exchange.
In my other role as an American Medical Association trustee at the same CFH table, I advocate for patients' rights to privacy, security and personal health records. I work for fair helpful evidence-based performance measurement and avoiding unfunded technology mandates for physicians. By working on real-world prototypes, Connecting for Health sees how important it is to keep decisions at the level of individual doctors and patients. The diversity of views around the table creates strong policy outcomes and practical solutions to difficult problems. From my perspective, there is no better way to do it."
Joseph M. Heyman, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist with a private practice in Amesbury, Mass., has been a member of the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees since 2002. He served as its secretary (2005-2006) and was chair of the finance committee. In June 2007 he was chosen as chair-elect for 2007-2008 and will serve as chair for 2008-2009. Dr. Heyman has been involved in organized medicine since joining the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) in 1973. He joined the AMA in 1980 and has been a member of the Massachusetts delegation to the AMA since 1987. He was a member of the AMA Council on Medical Service, serving on its executive committee (1997-2000) and as its chair (2000-2001). During his tenure on the council, Dr. Heyman helped develop AMA policy on health insurance reform, pharmaceutical industry spending in the United States and hospital mergers.
