Delegate Update – December 7, 2020

House of Delegates Summary Overview:

Each of the board members in attendance participated in one of the Strategic Pathfinders Sessions which were represented by six breakout sessions .  During these sessions the Delegates attended and reacted to assumptions on the future of health information topics and help inform AHIMA’s future through management of health information:

  • Taking the Lead in Data Governance
  • The Future of Patient Identification and Matching
  • The Role of the HI Professional in Shaping Health Equity
  • Public Health, Ethics, and Health Information
  • Revenue Cycle Challenges for Health Information
  • Telehealth in the Future

Over the next several weeks ILHIMA board members and delegates will be sharing the participants’ summary in which they attended.

The HOD hosted two Call to Action Sessions

Two Call to Actions Sessions were held:

  • Professional Enhancement Campaign and Advocating for the Profession-Delegates furthered their understanding of the professional enhancement campaign and the tools available and learned how they can be champions of and spokespeople for the campaign in their communities so that they are equipped to train members. Delegates shared their personal brand narrative on the State Leaders and House of Delegates Community.
  • Patient Matching Naming Policy- Delegates gained knowledge on the recommended naming policy, why it is important, and how to champion it within their CSAs for education and organizational adoption. Delegates took the AHIMA Naming Policy Pledge.

Annual Business Meeting Review

House Action Items included:

The Delegates deliberated and voted on action items submitted to the House. The Action items included:

  • Action Item: Article III, 3.1; Motion to adopt the The Tennessee Health Information Management Association (THIMA) THIMA proposed amendment to the main motion: Moved, seconded, and lost:
  • Article VII, 7.2 Motion: Moved, seconded, and carried: to adopt the proposed administrative amendments to the Bylaws in Article III, Section 3.1, Purposes and Mission and Article VII. House of Delegates, Section 7.2, Meetings
  • Action Item: Article IV Members, 4.8-4.10 The following motion was presented:  I move to approve the proposed administrative revisions to the Bylaws amendments as outlined in Article IV, Section 4.8 Annual Meeting of Members, 4.9 Special Meetings of the Members, and 4.10 Notice.  Discussion: The Tennessee Health Information Management Association (THIMA) moved to amend the main motion to modify Sections 4.8 and 4.10 as follows: 4.8 Add language:  Meeting held by means other than in person will be recorded. A notification feature will be provided to allow participants who experience technical difficulties to report such difficulties. Votes held virtually or in person will have three possible responses 1. Yes 2. No. 3 Abstain. In the case of House of Delegates’ meetings held other than in person, the recording of the meeting will be made available to the members of the House for 7 business days. Members who experienced technical difficulties may vote on matters put forth to the House for 7 business days. No member may cast more than one vote.

4.10 Notice. Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than seven (7) business days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each member of record entitled to vote at such meeting.

AHIMA’s legal counsel noted that Illinois law provided for voting outside of a meeting in the absence of such language in the Bylaws.  It was recommended that any deviations proposed from Illinois law be considered at a later date outside of the meeting to ensure compliance with the law.

  • Action Item: Article VII, House of Delegates 7.1-7.2

The following motion was presented: I move to approve the proposed revision to the Bylaws amendments as outlined in Article VII. House of Delegates, Section 7.1, Purpose, and Section 7.2, Meetings.

The proposed amendments to 7.1 and 7.2 were discussed and a vote was taken to adopt the amendments. The motion was voted on and adopted.

  • Action Item: Article IV Members, 4.3-4.5

Motion: Moved, seconded, and adopted: to adopt the amendments to Bylaws Article IV, 4.3 Types of Members, 4.4 Application, 4.5 Failure to Pay Dues and Fees to be effective January 1, 2021. Conforming amendments will be reflected throughout the Bylaws wherever member types are mentioned.

Vote:

Yes: 178   No: 10  Total: 187, 95% voted yes; motion adopted.

  • Action Item: Article VII Members, 7.7 Action Item: Amendment to Bylaws Article VII Members, 7.7  The following motion was presented: I move to approve the proposed revisions to the Bylaws amendments as outlined in Article VII. House of Delegates, Section 7.7, Powers and Duties and wherever it appears in the bylaws in this context.

The proposed amendment to 7.7 was discussed and a vote was taken to adopt the amendments. Motion: Moved, seconded, and adopted: to adopt the amendments to Bylaws Article VII. House of Delegates, Section 7.7, Powers and Duties, including conforming amendments wherever management appears in the bylaws in this context.

Vote:  Yes: 144  No: 46  Total: 190, 76% voted yes; motion adopted.

  • Action Item: Article IV Members, 4.2 Amendment to Bylaws Article IV Members, 4.2 move to approve the proposed revisions to Bylaws amendment as outlined in Article IV, Section 4.2 Rights of Members with the proviso that this will not go into effect until January 1, 2021.

The Tennessee Health Information Management Association (THIMA) moved to amend the main motion to modify Section 4.2 as follows:

4.2 Rights of Members.  Membership shall entitle individuals to participate in the programs and services of AHIMA, and to be a member of a Component State Association, with the rights and benefits that are accorded to members by AHIMA.  Members shall also have the right to elect the Board of Directors, certain Officers of AHIMA, and certain members of The Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management, all as set forth below.  Members with a preferred mailing address outside the United States may select a Component State Association (CSA).  If a CSA is not selected, the member will be entitled to digital membership privileges.

The amendment was discussed and a vote was taken to adopt an amendment to the main motion to amend Section 4.2 and such motion was adopted. The matter was then further discussed and the main motion to amend Section 4.2, as amended by THIMA’s proposal, was voted on and adopted.

Respectfully submitted-Pamela Kring, MJ, RHIA, Lead Delegate