The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) continually works to advocate on behalf of osteopathic physicians and community health issues and legislation. The MOA Advocacy and Issues email is designed to connect members to the issues that impact healthcare and physicians. If you have questions or comments, please contact Todd Ross at: tross@domoa.org
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Legislative Update from Kevin McKinney
MOA Governmental Affairs Consultant Kevin McKinney offers his 2022 Legislative Update on February 24, 2022. Mr. McKinney offers quick updates on:
• Governor's budget recommendations
• DHHS Budget and public health initiatives
• Legislation and bills
• Drug Costs
• Medicaid Services on Mental Health services
• Prior Authorization
• Telehealth expansion
• Election Dates to remember
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The Michigan Osteopathic Political Action Committee (MOPAC) fights to elect and re-elect pro-physician candidates through direct contributions, voter education and targeted political activism. As a physician, your time and resources are limited. MOPAC is the best resource for you to learn who supports the osteopathic profession and how you can help elect candidates that represents you and your patients.
MOPAC is the political arm of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) and the sole voice of the osteopathic profession in campaigns and elections on the state level. Governed by a committee made up of osteopathic physicians, MOPAC is constantly working to increase our effectiveness in elections and strengthen the clout of the physician community.
2112 University Park Drive, Suite 100, Okemos, MI 48864
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A request for support, from Kevin McKinney
The vicious COVID-19 cycles have been anything but predictable, but one thing that has remained constant through the years is MOA’s advocacy for its physicians and patients. We are committed to being that bold voice for policy affecting you and your practice.
As we enter a new election cycle, the advocacy remains all the more important to ensure candidates at all levels of government are aware of the issues most critical to our profession and our patients.
This work is never-ending. Educating policymakers on key initiatives remains a priority. Many of you have given your time, some have given money. While both are critical elements in successful grassroots advocacy, today's reach out is to build a bigger and strong PAC.
Your involvement and generous donations to the MOPAC efforts will help MOA bolster its relationships with new candidates and assist in re-electing candidates who have been a friend to the osteopathic profession.
Join us today!
Sincerely,
Kevin McKinney
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Legislative Update: Prior Authorization
PREAUTHORIZATION, MARCH 17, 2022: The House Health Policy panel did unanimously report one bill, SB 247 (link), which would require health insurers and their utilization review entities to make available and begin using an internet-based process for benefit preauthorization by January 1, 2023.
Physicians for years have urged changes to the preauthorization process, but insurers have succeeded in blocking them, saying the preauthorization process is a vital way to hold down costs. Physicians, however, have called the process burdensome and often a hurdle to care.
The bill represents something of a compromise. It does not alter the preauthorization process like previous bills but instead is designed to make the process easier to use.
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Legislative Tracking
In addition to SB 247, the MOA Council of Governmental Affairs (CGA) is currently tracking legislation on several issues.
Scope of Practice
SB 680 -expansion of Nurse Practitioner scope (Pending in Sen. Health Policy Committee)
SB 191 - PAs/NPs duties in delivery of mental health services – Reintroduction from last session (MOA supports) (Pending in House Health Policy Committee
Prevention and Safety
HB 5414 – Require continuing education for physicians on lead poisoning (Pending in House Health Policy Committee)
Health and Wellness/Access to Care
HB 5651 – Telehealth parity (Pending in House Insurance Committee)
SB 707 – Telehealth parity with reimbursement (Pending in Senate Health Policy Committee
SB 247 – Prior Authorization (Pending in House Health Policy Committee)
HB 4353 – Access to drugs – allow for copay assistance programs (Pending in Sen. Health Policy Committee)
SBs 597 and 598 – establishing Specialty Integrated Plans (Medicaid) for both behavior and physical health (Pending 3rd Reading on Sen. Calendar)
HB 5637 – Right to Try Act – allowing for experimental treatments in treatment of COVID (Pending in the Senate Health Policy Committee)
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MOA Supports Public Health Over Politicians
The Michigan Osteopathic Association is supporting the Public Health Over Politicians (PHOP) group that is comprised of public health officials, doctors and nurses who believe the health of all Michiganders should come before partisan and political games. The coalition was formed to oppose Unlock Michigan’s radical proposal to undermine the ability of public health experts to stop the spread of dangerous infectious diseases in Michigan.
Public Health Over Politicians continues to urge voters to decline to sign the reckless Unlock Michigan 2.0 ballot initiative.
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UPDATE:
Attempts to 'Fix the Fix' for Auto No Fault Fails
Bi-partisan proposals to repair Auto No Fault law Declined by Speaker Jason Wentworth, "it's time to move on."
Report by Michigan Radio:
Survivors express despair after House Speaker Wentworth indicates no bills to fix auto no-fault law will be taken up
Republican State House Speaker Jason Wentworth said none of the bills and proposals he has seen to fix problems with the auto no-fault insurance law are satisfactory, and "it's time to move on." Those bills — some introduced by Republican lawmakers — could prevent thousands of people from losing their care this year.
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Survivors and their families received a more visceral sense of Wentworth's stance on the no-fault law. They went to Wentworth's office, hoping for a meeting.
Instead, they said they were kicked out of the office, and said the Michigan State Police were called in to make sure they did not try to re-enter.
People severely injured in car crashes and relatives stand outside House Speaker Jason Wentworth's office after being told he would not meet with them
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LARA Update:
Electronic Prescriptions
The Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has released an FAQ regarding the requirement for Electronic Prescriptions. The 3-page PDF file offers answers to common questions—including when the requirements take affect—and contact information in case physicians need further clarifications.
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Interested in Serving the Profession and Protecting the Public?
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing is seeking qualified osteopathic physicians to serve as expert witnesses in licensing matters. Expert witnesses will evaluate case files and assist the Department in determining whether a violation of the Public Health Code has occurred.
Please use the subject line [Interest in Department Expert Program- Name, D.O.] and attach an updated CV.
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Scope of Practice Legislation:
MOA, support efforts to protect physician-led, Team-based care with MiAACT
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Make sure your Senator knows Nurse Practitioners should be part of the care team, not independent from it and to vote NO on Senate Bill 680
Senate Bill 680 was recently introduced in the Michigan Senate that will allow for full independent practice for nurse practitioners (NPs). Under the bill, not only would NPs be allowed to provide direct care without physician supervision or collaboration, they would also be allowed to prescribe opioids and other controlled substances. Further, the bill wouldn’t even require additional training or education for NPs.
We know this isn’t what’s best for patients. They want and deserve a robust care team that collaborates for their best interest. The way to do that is NOT creating silos of care. It’s NOT putting those with less training and experience in charge of their care. Let your Senator know this isn’t the right plan for Michigan’s patients.
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MOA Advocacy
Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Coverage Act 2021
Along with more than 300 leading cancer advocacy organizations across the country, and nine here in Michigan including the Michigan Osteopathic Association, we’re proud to support the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act of 2021. This legislation has received strong bipartisan support from Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, as well as Representatives John Moolenaar, Fred Upton, and Dan Kildee. This important bill would support coverage of a new category of cancer screening for Medicare recipients - known as multi-cancer early detection (MCED) – as soon as the technologies are approved by the Food & Drug Administration. New detection technologies represent a monumental change in the way providers and patients could combat cancer. MCED can detect dozens of cancers, early before patients show symptoms, and can identify the cancer and its location in the body.
The bill has received broad support by more than 140 Democrat and Republican Members of Congress who have agreed to cosponsor the legislation. MCED could be the breakthrough needed to completely change the landscape in the War on Cancer, and this legislation would ensure that Medicare patients and providers can utilize these innovative technologies as soon as possible – which could help save countless lives. The Michigan Osteopathic Association thanks Michigan’s representatives for adding their support behind this legislation, and we hope that Congress will take this important opportunity to play a role in ending the threat of cancer as we know it.
For more information, click HERE.
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Advocacy Resources
American Osteopathic Association
Michigan
United States
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