The Fickenscher Files

Biweekly newsletter offering thoughts and analysis on the real changes needed for healthcare transformation. Kevin Fickenscher, MD, is the President and CEO of AMIA. The statements in this blog are Kevin’s personal views and do not reflect the views or policies of AMIA.

Quote(s) Of The Week, Vol.3, Issue 8

“It’s disappointing.” [in reference to the results of the Oregon Medicaid enrollment program].  This says there are benefits to providing Medicaid, but that we also need to fix the system.” Zeke Emanuel, Former Obama Healthcare Advisor, in response to the NEJM report that there was little difference in health parameters for Medicaid enrollees and non-enrollees. [...]

Toto’s Reflections

Lessons on leadership for your consideration – Lesson IV:  On Thinking … Toto jumps right into this lesson by admonishing us that “leadership is not about brains, but rather thought that comes from reflection within the soul.”  He advises that we need to allocate sufficient time in every day for reflection.  And, he suggests that [...]

Consulo Indicium, Vol.3, Issue 8

Information for your Consideration … Using Sunscreen – Several weeks ago we had “Melanoma Monday” and last week was designated as “Sunscreen Day” by the American Academy of Dermatology.  More than 1 of 3 Americans does not every use sunscreen – including 27.3% of those who have been previously diagnosed with skin cancer.  I know [...]

Finding the BAT to Combat the FAT

New research from The Joslin Clinic suggests a new alternative for fighting the obesity epidemic… I’ve been very open over the years that I had an obesity problem.  Up until I had bariatric surgery (i.e. duodenal switch, which is both a constrictive and malabsorptive type of bariatric procedure) in 2004, I had come to tip [...]

The Weekly Whisk, Vol.3, Issue 8

Musings from a foodie … Las Carnarias [ ] (The Canary Islands) is a restaurant in San Antonio located at the Omni Hotel.  When I arrived for a meeting, I was told it was one of the better restaurants in the city despite the fact that it was located at a hotel.  So, with some [...]

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Vol.3, Issue 8

The ongoing saga… The Good – The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued their annual projections related to the federal deficit which showed a continuing decline in the year-over-year deficit.  While the cumulative deficit is in the range of $6.3 trillion (mind boggling), the decline is a welcome change.  The decline is attributed to a [...]

Quote(s) Of The Week, Vol.3, Issue 7

“I don’t dispute” that the White House has shown little interest in comprehensive tax reform.  “But it’s irrelevant.  Because I’m just going ahead.” Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) in an describing how he intends to move ahead with an overhaul of the 5,600 page U.S. tax code as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee “Sequester is [...]