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FEATURED NEWS
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TAKE ACTION: #SaveToledoFM, Protect Primary Care
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MAFP President Robert Jackson, MD, MMM and Olivia Bolen, student member on the MAFP Board of Directors, support efforts to #SaveToledoFM. |
ProMedica recently announced plans to close its Family Medicine residency program at Toledo Hospital. "Closing this or any other Family Medicine residency program is not in the best interest of patients, communities or the U.S. healthcare system as a whole," said MAFP Chair Kim Yu, MD, FAAFP (Novi). "Reducing the number of Family Medicine residency training slots will only exacerbate the shortage of primary care physicians, which is a reality that not only Ohio faces, but one that Michigan and other states also face." READ MORE
Please take action TODAY to tell ProMedica to reverse its decision--sign an online petition and spread the message on Facebook and Twitter (be sure to include the hashtag #SaveToldeoFM). Check out MAFP's Facebook page and recent tweets for ideas about how you can increase awareness of this critical issue.
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MAFP NEWS
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Visit with Senator Shirkey Highlights Importance of Health Literacy in Tackling Opioid Abuse Epidemic
In the midst of the national and statewide prescription drug and opioid abuse epidemic, MAFP Advocacy Committee member Harshini Jayasuriya, MD ("Dr. Hershey") is taking action in her small community of Eaton Rapids to stem the alarming trend through provider and patient education. MAFP staff joined her in hosting a meeting on January 23 with Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) at Eaton Rapids Medical Center, where Dr. Hershey serves as medical director, so he could learn first-hand how her innovative community approach is making a difference. READ MORE
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MAFP Releases 2017 Advocacy Priorities
The MAFP Advocacy Committee, chaired by Tina Tanner, MD (Montague), convened at MAFP Headquarters on January 25 for its first meeting of the year. The comprehensive meeting agenda set the stage for robust discussions about topics such as what state and federal legislative activities to expect in the new legislative session. The Committee also voted unanimously to approve MAFP's 2017 advocacy priorities that will largely drive the Academy's advocacy agenda this session. READ MORE
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MAFP Accepting Resolutions for Consideration at 2017 Annual Meeting
Do you have an issue that you would like to see debated before the MAFP membership during the 2017 MAFP Annual Meeting on July 11 and/or taken to the American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates in the fall? Consider submitting a resolution to participate in the critical work of developing official Academy policy. The deadline to submitted a resolution is June 9. READ MORE
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STATE & NATIONAL NEWS
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AAFP Joins Coalition to Reform Prior Authorization Requirements
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Jennifer Aloff, MD, FAAFP (Midland) |
"The biggest concern is prior authorization hinders the patient's access to care and delays treatment," said MAFP member Jennifer Aloff, MD, FAAFP (Midland) when she spoke with Modern Healthcare this week as a member of the AAFP Commission on Quality and Practice.
AAFP is among 17 healthcare organizations that have formed a coalition to advocate for streamlining prior authorization requirements. Dr. Aloff also serves on the MAFP Board of Directors as AAFP Delegate and is a candidate for 2017 AAFP Vice Speaker. READ MORE
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Federal DPC Legislation Re-introduced
Bipartisan legislation was re-introduced this week in the new session of Congress that calls for removing tax restrictions on Direct Primary Care (DPC), a growing payment and delivery model option. The Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2017 would change the legal definition of DPC to clarify that the model is not health insurance, allowing patients to use Health Saving Accounts to pay monthly DPC fees. READ MORE
AAFP Hosting DPC Workshop Interested in learning more about Direct Primary Care? AAFP is hosting a one-day, hands-on, peer-to-peer workshop in Atlanta on March 11, similar to the April 2016 workshop hosted in Detroit. REGISTER
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America's Physicians Stand Together to Protect Women's Health
As discussions continue in Washington, DC, about repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, AAFP joined the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Osteopathic Association in sending a letter to Congress this week that calls on President Trump and Congress "to stand with us and for America's women." READ MORE
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Senate Finance Committee Holds HHS Secretary Confirmation Hearing
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a
hearing on January 24 to consider President Trump's nomination of
Representative Tom Price
(R-GA)--an orthopedic surgeon--as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Committee members asked questions of Rep. Price regarding President Trump's
executive order that commits to repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, as well as other issues such as access to care, coverage of pre-existing conditions and overhauling the Medicaid program. The Committee did not take a vote and a confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled; however, it is widely expected that Rep. Price's nomination will be approved.
READ MORE
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MDHHS Reports Increase in Pertussis, Recommends Vaccination
The
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported this week that levels of pertussis activity have increased in Michigan since late fall 2016, particularly in children age 4 or younger who have not completed their fifth dose of DTaP and who are in childcare settings. Physicians and other healthcare professionals are asked to help ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of pertussis.
READ MORE
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Reminder: State Loan Repayment Program Application Period Opens February 1
The Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP) assists employers in recruiting and retaining medical, dental and mental health primary care providers serving in underserved areas. The fiscal year 2018 application period will open on February 1, 2017, and continue through April 30, 2017--however, it is important to note that applications will only be reviewed until a sufficient number of complete applications have been received to obligate program funds. Loan repayment agreements for successful applicants will begin October 1, 2017, and continue through September 30, 2019. READ MORE
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STUDENT & RESIDENT NEWS
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MAFP Board of Directors Seeking Resident Member Applicants
The MAFP Board of Directors includes one Family Medicine resident seat served by a resident member of MAFP to represent the resident membership voice throughout the state. The Board is currently accepting applications from resident members interested in serving this one-year term that will begin in July. Please note that preference is given to applicants who have actively served on a committee of MAFP or its philanthropic arm, Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan (formerly MAFP Foundation). The deadline to submit a MAFP Board application is March 1. Committee applications are being accepted until April 10.
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National Conference Offers a Variety of Opportunities for Family Medicine Residents, Students
The annual AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (National Conference) provides leadership, educational and networking opportunities. MAFP and AAFP scholarship and poster presentations application deadlines for the 2017 National Conference have been announced. READ MORE so you don't miss out!
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Trending Articles
Did you miss last week's issue of Family Medicine Update? Below are the articles your Michigan colleagues read the most:
Four Hundred-Plus Michigan Primary Care Practices Selected for CPC+
Our Deepest Sympathy
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Correction: In last week's
Featured News article on CPC+, the last sentence included an error. The sentence should have read: This regionally-based, multi-payer, five-year initiative is one of CMS' four Alternative Payment Models that will engage over 359,000 primary care clinicians across the country in 2017 as part of efforts to transform the U.S. healthcare system into one that values and reimburses for quality rather than quantity.
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