MAFP News Blast - 2023 Advocacy Days Edition

Advocating for Family Doctors

in Maine

2023 February 17 - Advocacy Days Edition

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A message

from your

MAFP President

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for so many of you who attended our Advocacy Day at the Legislature February 1^st and 2^nd in conjunction with the Maine Medical Association’s and Maine Osteopathic Association’s Physicians Day at the Legislature.

On Wednesday, February 1^st, we met at the MMA conference room to learn about Advocacy. We were fortunate to have Dr. Linda Sanborn, former Maine State Senator present to our members again. Her topics included: “How a bill becomes law”; “Why is advocacy important”; “Why YOU are a POWERFUL ADVOCATE”; “Ways to advocate”; “Tips for giving testimony”; and “Why I remain passionate about advocacy”.

Dan Morin, MMA’s Director of Communications & Government Affairs discussed the MMA “Plan” for lobbying over the legislative session, as well as the events of the 130^th Legislature (2021-2022) and the future for the 131^st Legislature (2023-2024). He also discussed the MMA Foundation Issues, what the MMA does, and what physicians can do.

Julie Harrison, AAFP’s Manager, Center for State Policy discussed via Zoom the national legislation and what other states have been dealing with.

At supper, we had a panel of distinguished guests who discussed legislation, advocacy, and the importance of physicians advocating. The panel included our own Dr. Sam Zager, family physician and 2^nd term State Representative, Dr. Jane Pringle, internist and returning as a State Representative, Dr. Linda Sanborn, retired State Senator, Senator Marianne Moore who represents District 6 (Washington County and part of Hancock County), Bethany Beausang, Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor, and Dan Morin.

Each panelist spoke briefly and then they all answered questions from our attendees. It was a lively and amicable discussion. I thank our guests for taking their time to meet with us and educating us on the Legislature and the benefits of advocating.

Physicians Day at the Legislature

On Thursday, February 2^nd, we gathered at the Capitol in the Hall of Flags for the Physicians Day at the Legislature. We visited our various Representatives and Senators, listened to the MMA and MOA leaders, and several Representatives.

I hope that you will consider introducing yourself to your Representative and Senator now so they can call on you regarding medically related bills to understand better the implications of these bills. I hope you will consider attending the next Advocacy Day.

Respectfully,

Frank

Francis A. Bellino, MD, FAAFP

President, MAFP

Later, we gathered in the Blaine House for Tea and then listened to Governor Mills who answered many questions from the assembled physicians.

MMA SEEKING FP To Do OB Case Reviews:

The Maine Medical Association is seeking a family physician in active practice who currently does OB to to do a routine external review of six cases. The ordering facility will send you the records either by encrypted email or regular mail and MMA will send you the form to use for your analysis. MMA will reimburse you at an hourly rate.

If you are interested, and do OB care, please contact: Dianna Poulin, Director of External Peer Review & Quality at MMA (207-480-4194) for details. (Attach your current CV)

For more information about MMA’s External Peer Review Program and/or Office-Based QI Program, click on the links here: External Peer Review / Office-Based QI Program

Happy young female nurse provide care medical service help support smiling old grandma at homecare medical visit_ lady carer doctor give empathy encourage retired patient sit on sofa at home hospital

Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency has an opening for their Geriatric Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year.

This is an excellent program that is well established as part of Maine Dartmouth and Maine General Health. New Residency Graduates and current Family Physicians are welcome to inquire and apply.

Check out their website for more information

The Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine in partnership with and funding from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services supports Prescribing Clinicians and their Teams to provide more evidence-based treatment to individuals and their families affected by Substance Use Disorders and Opioid Use Disorder (SUD/OUD) to promote recovery and reduce drug overdose deaths.

Learn more about ME SUD and get involved - HERE

Check out the MAFP Career Center HERE

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