Government Relations News Archive
Please select the links below for complete articles and documents from previous years. Current Government Relations News
10.23.09 MAG announces 2010 legislative priorities
Click here to read 2010 priorities
08.12.09 Governor Perdue announces July revenue figures
Click here for full press release
07.27.09 H.B. 509 Medical Practice Act and Physician Assistant Act updates summary
H.B. 509, passed during the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly, made substantial revisions to the Medical Practice Act and Physician Assistant Act.
Click here to familiarize yourself with the notable changes to the law governing the practice of medicine
07.21.09 MAG's Council on Legislation promoting diversity
The Medical Association of Georgia's (MAG) Council on Legislation's (COL) membership represents more than 20 specialty societies. The committee also has 11 at-large members. In addition to reviewing legislation, the COL recommends policy positions and legislative priorities to MAG's Board of Directors and House of Delegates.
"The Council on Legislation is the appropriate forum for specialty societies to influence MAG's legislative agenda," says MAG Director of Government Relations and General Counsel Donald J. Palmisano Jr.
MAG members who represent a specialty that isn't currently represented on the COL and who have an interest in serving on the committee should contact Palmisano at dpalmisano@mag.org.
Click here for a complete list of the specialty societies represented on the COL
07.11.09 MAG's Council on Legislation July report
Download the report
07.10.09 Governor Perdue announces June revenue figures
Click here for full press release
2008
10.29.08 GSU trauma forum series video now online
The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta recently completed a three-part forum series on creating an accountable and sustainable trauma network in Georgia. Videos of each session are posted online.
Click here to view the sessions
10.24.08 Georgia private physician economic contribution placed at $20 billion
Private practice physicians’ offices in Georgia accounted for more than 180,000 jobs, $10 billion in personal income, and nearly $20 billion in economic activity in 2008, according to a study that was just completed by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Read full news article
Download economic study
10.21.08 MAG & Alliance representatives attend third trauma care forum
The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta hosted the third and final part to its Trauma Care Forum series on Tuesday, October 21, which focused on creating an accountable and sustainable trauma network in Georgia. On hand for the event were, from left, Rep. Mickey Channel (D-Greensboro), MAG Alliance Legislative Committee Chair Kirsten Scott and MAG Immediate Past President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D.
10.17.08 GSU hosting third part of trauma care forum on Tuesday, October 21
The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University will host the third part to the Trauma Care Forum series on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in Atlanta at 14 Marietta Street NW, 7th floor.
This session will focus on creating an accountable and sustainable trauma network in Georgia, including 1) determining potential revenue sources and criteria for allocating available funds and 2) how to identify and disseminate information that will foster accountability in institutions, providers and the system as a whole. A white paper on these topics will be presented by two Georgia State faculty members, Dr. James Marton and Dr. Patricia Ketsche.
The forum also will feature a panel of policy makers that will discuss the implications for Georgia. The panel will include Georgia Rep. Mickey Channell; Mississippi Director of Health Protection Jim Craig; Hannah Heck, Gov. Sonny Perdue's Policy Director; and Georgia Sen. Preston Smith.
08.26.08 Foundation funding trauma awareness campaign in Georgia
The Healthcare Georgia Foundation has awarded a $398,000 grant to fund an awareness campaign that’s designed to educate Georgians about the need for a statewide trauma system.
The goal of the "It's About Time ... Georgia Needs A Trauma System Now" program is to help establish a statewide trauma system, including rural areas in the state that don’t have access to adequate emergency transportation or trauma care. It's designed to demonstrate that Georgians want a statewide trauma system.
The grant was awarded to Hayslett Group LLC, of Atlanta, which will implement a 10-month program that will include grassroots awareness, public relations and advertising.
Click here for additional information
07.16.08 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 becomes law
On July 15, the U.S. Congress voted overwhelmingly to override President Bush's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331), allowing the bill to become law.
H.R. 6331 retroactively replaces the 10.6 percent payment cut that went into effect on July 1 with a 0.5 percent update extension through the end of 2008. It also provides an additional 1.1 percent update for 2009.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), physicians, non-physician practitioners and other providers of services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will begin receiving the 0.5 percent payment update in the second half of July.
Read full news article from MAG
07.15.08 Congress stops Medicare cuts, overrides president's veto of H.R. 6331
Today President Bush vetoed H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Thanks to an incredibly strong grassroots effort by physicians, the House of Representatives voted 383-41 and the Senate voted 70-26 to override the veto this afternoon. As a result, H.R. 6331 becomes law - stopping the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut that went into effect on July 1, 2008.
Click here for full alert, including how Georgia's Congressional leaders voted
07.14.08 AMA & MAG thank Senators for Medicare vote in AJC ad
View PDF of advertisement
07.09.08 Senate passes Medicare Improvements Act; Please thank Senators Isakson & Chambliss for their support of H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act” passed the Senate on Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 69-30. H.R. 6331 stops the 10.6 percent Medicare payment cuts that were supposed to go into effect July 1. The bill now goes to the President who has previously indicated he will veto the measure. MAG will keep you posted.
MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to call Senators Chambliss and Isakson using AMA's Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 to thank them for voting for cloture and for the passage of H.R. 6331.
In addition to the AMA Hotline, physicians may call Sen. Saxby Chambliss at his Washington, D.C., office at 202.224.3521. Call the Washington, D.C., office of Sen. Johnny Isakson at 202.224.3643.
07.08.08 Medicare Advocacy Alert Reminder: Urge Senators Isakson & Chambliss to support H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act" could be reconsidered Wednesday afternoon, according to the Senate Majority Leader's office. H.R. 6331 is the only legislative solution currently available for Medicare payments. MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to CALL SEN. CHAMBLISS AND SEN. ISAKSON USING AMA’S GRASSROOTS HOTLINE AT 800.833.6354 ASAP AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 6331. Physicians should tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
In addition to the AMA Hotline, physicians can call Sen. Saxby Chambliss at his Washington, D.C. office at 202.224.3521. Call the Washington, D.C. office of Sen. Johnny Isakson at 202.224.3643.
07.06.08 Medicare Advocacy Alert Reminder: Call Senators Isakson & Chambliss to support H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act" could be reconsidered as early as Monday, July 7. H.R. 6331 is the only legislative solution currently available for Medicare payments. MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to CALL SEN. CHAMBLISS AND SEN. ISAKSON USING AMA’S GRASSROOTS HOTLINE AT 800.833.6354 ASAP AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 6331. Physicians should tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
07.03.08 AARP, Georgia physicians calling on Senators Isakson and Chambliss to support bill to improve Medicare, protect access to doctors
ATLANTA - AARP Georgia and the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) today said that last week a minority in the U.S. Senate derailed a critical bipartisan bill that would have stopped a 10.6 percent payment cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients, kept Medicare premiums fair, and made significant improvements to a program that 44 million Americans depend on.
Read joint press release
07.03.08 CMS outlines plans for Medicare payments in letter to Sen. Chambliss
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Kerry Weems sent the attached letter to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss yesterday. It details the process that CMS will use to handle claims during the current period of uncertainty surrounding Medicare payments.
Read CMS' letter to Sen. Chambliss
07.01.08 MAG update on Medicare payment reduction
The 10.6 percent reduction in Medicare physician fees went into effect today, July 1. MAG and its leaders are actively engaged in an advocacy campaign to address the Medicare payment reduction to protect the interests of physicians and patients in Georgia. That effort included a conference call with Georgia’s U.S. Senators on Sunday, June 29.
Read July 1 MAG alert and H.R. 6331 summary
07.01.08 AMA airing ads that blast Senate inaction on Medicare cuts
Reflecting physicians’ frustration with a group of Senators who blocked action last week on legislation that would stop harsh Medicare physician payment cuts, the AMA began airing new TV and radio ads urging opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients’ access to care before insurance profits.
Read AMA's press release
View the impact of Medicare physician pay cuts in Georgia
06.30.08 MAG leaders urge U.S. Senators to find Medicare solution to support physicians, patients in Sunday conference call
Dr. Chapman provides members with an update on the critical issue of Medicare payments and the steps that MAG leaders are taking to protect the interests of physicians and patients in Georgia - highlighted by a conference call with our U.S. Senators yesterday morning.
H.R. 6331 will reportedly be reconsidered as soon as next Monday, July 7. Dr. Chapman is asking every physician in Georgia to call Sen. Chambliss and Sen. Isakson using AMA's Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to support H.R. 6331 when the Senate reconvenes following the July 4 recess. Tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
Read Dr. Chapman's alert
06.27.08 Medicare bill fails to advance in Senate, MAG President urging every physician in Georgia to call U.S. Senators
The Medicare Reimbursement bill (H.R. 6331) died in the Senate last night when a cloture vote was taken at 8:20 p.m. - failing by a vote of 58-40 (3/5 of 98 votes, or 59 votes were required for passage of cloture). This was the same bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 24, by a vote of 355-59.
Both of Georgia's U.S. Senators voted against cloture. Votes were split for the most part along party lines, although nine Republicans did break ranks and vote for the bill to pass.
MAG will continue to press Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Sen. Johnny Isakson for a comprehensive Medicare funding solution, and every physician in the state is encouraged to call Sen. Chambliss and Sen. Isakson using AMA's grassroots hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to become active advocates for H.R. 6331.
Read Dr. Chapman's alert to Georgia physicians
Read AMA's statement expressing outrage over the U.S. Senate's failure to approve the House Medicare bill
06.25.08 MAG members key “grassroots victory” for Medicare bill, AMA urging physicians to call U.S. Senators today as next step
In what it calls a “stunning grassroots victory for physicians”, the American Medical Association (AMA) says that the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6331 - the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" - by a vote of 355 to 59. AMA says its nationwide grassroots effort influenced a number of congressional leaders, and AMA recognized MAG members for the significant role that they played in the bill’s passage.
As a next step, H.R. 6331 will be introduced to the Senate by Sen. Harry Reid tomorrow, Thursday, June 26.
MAG is asking its members to CALL U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson using AMA’s Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to 1) vote to bring H.R. 6331 up for debate and 2) support H.R. 6331.
Read full article
06.25.08 GSU hosting second part of trauma care forum on August 6
The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University will host the second part of the trauma care forum series - Trauma Services in Georgia: Where Are We Now? Where Should We Go? - on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at 14 Marietta Street Northwest, 7th floor, in Atlanta.
The session will focus on building an effective and efficient trauma care network based on the Institute of Medicine's goals of coordination and regionalization. Several trauma care experts from other states will be invited to speak on trauma care coordination, regionalization and protocols to improve the accuracy of triage.
06.25.08 Atlanta lands National Health Museum
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue recently announced that Atlanta will be home for the National Health Museum (NHM), which organizers say will deliver health-related messages, inspire America’s next generation of caregivers and life scientists, and help the nation remain at the forefront of health discovery, technology, practice and care.
In a June 24 letter, MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D. congratulated and thanked Gov. Perdue for his leadership in bringing the museum to Atlanta.
Read full article
06.24.08 H.R. 6331 passes House with 355-59 vote
H.R. 6331, which stops the 10.6 percent Medicare cut that had been scheduled to take effect July 1, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 355-59 vote on Tuesday, June 24. H.R. 6331 extends the 0.5 percent update through 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update for calendar year 2009. The American Medical Association and MAG thanks the physicians and patients who called their U.S. House Representatives to ask them to vote yes for the measure.
06.23.08 AMA Urging Georgia Physicians, Patients to Contact U.S. Representatives to Vote Yes for H.R. 6331
The American Medical Association is urging physicians and patients to CALL THEIR U.S. HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES TODAY and ask them to VOTE YES ON H.R. 6331 to stop the 10.6 percent Medicare cut on July 1. H.R. 6331 could be considered as soon as tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24. You can use AMA’s Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail). H.R. 6331 extends the 0.5 percent update through 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update for calendar year 2009.
Click here for more information
06.13.08 MAG Urging Physicians, Patients to Contact U.S. Senators for Medicare Funding Solution
MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is calling on all Georgians to become advocates as Medicare physician payment rates are scheduled to be cut 10.6 percent on July 1 of this year and an additional 5 percent or more on January 1, 2009.
Dr. Chapman is urging Georgia physicians and patients to contact U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson by using the American Medical Association Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail) and request that they come up with an alternative plan to stop the 10.6 percent Medicare cut on July 1 and the 5 percent Medicare cut on January 1, 2009.
Click here for more information
06.11.08 Trauma Commission approves 2008 budget
The Georgia Trauma Commission recently approved a plan to divide nearly $59 million in supplemental budget dollars among physicians, Emergency Medical Services and hospitals across the state for trauma care.
Physicians and hospitals will receive 25 percent and 75 percent of the trauma center totals, respectively for trauma readiness costs and uncompensated care.
Read Full Article
View Trauma Commission budget chart
06.11.08 MAG ALERT: STOP MEDICARE PAY CUTS, CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATOR TODAY
Senators Baucus, Snowe, Rockefeller and Smith have introduced S. 3101 - the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which would grant an 18-month reprieve from the Medicare physician payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2008, and January 1, 2009. More specifically, the current 0.5 percent payment update would be continued through 2008, and an additional 1.1 percent update would be implemented in 2009.
The first likely procedural vote will be on a motion to close debate, which could come as early as this Thursday, June 12.
It’s critical that you call or e-mail your U.S. Senator as soon as possible and urge them to 1) support the motion to close debate and 2) support S. 3101.
Please contact Sen. Saxby Chambliss or Sen. Johnny Isakson by using the American Medical Association Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail).
Please call MAG’s Government Relations Department at 678.303.9271 or 800.282.0224 with questions.
06.11.08 MAG Leaders Discuss Trauma Care with Lt. Governor
From left, MAG Executive Director David Cook and MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., met with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Dan Rahn, M.D., president of the Medical College of Georgia, on June 10 to discuss trauma care in Georgia, including the need to secure a sustainable source of funding and ways to enhance and expand the system in the state.
06.03.08 MAG Leaders Turn Out in Full Force for GSU Trauma Forum
The Medical Association of Georgia was well represented at the “Georgia Care Trauma Forum: Where Are We Now? Where Should We Go?” that took place at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 3. It was the first of a three-part series addressing the state's trauma system crisis; the next two forums are scheduled to take place in July and September.
MAG members that attended the event were President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., William R. Hardcastle, M.D., and Earl A. Grubbs, M.D. Dr. Hardcastle is heading up a Trauma Task Force that was recently created by MAG’s Council on Legislation. MAG Director of Health Policy and Director of Third Party Payer Advocacy Cam Grayson and MAG Director of Communications Tom Kornegay also were on hand for the event.
Of the event, Dr. Chapman said, “Addressing the trauma system in Georgia in a comprehensive and sustainable way is a critical issue for both patients and physicians in the state.”
05.22.08 AMA applauds passage of new law to protect patients from genetic discrimination
The AMA applauded Congress and the president for working together to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 into federal law.
Read Press Release
03.03.08 Medicare 45 Percent Trigger Legislation Introduced in Congress
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) included a provision requiring the president to submit to Congress a legislative proposal to reduce Medicare spending if the Medicare Trustees conclude for two consecutive years that more than 45 percent of Medicare funding will come from general revenues of the federal budget within a seven year period. Because these funding levels have been reached in each of the last two years, the President submitted his proposal to Congress on February 15. House and Senate leaders from both parties introduced this proposal (which they were required to do by statute) on February 25.
The President’s proposal contains three distinct legislative parts:
- “Value-based health care” principles relating to Medicare transparency and quality including the use of electronic health records and the release of data for quality improvement and performance measurement;
- Medical liability reform legislation mirroring the House-passed H.R. 5 from the 109th Congress; and
- Means testing under Medicare Part D. Few legislative details were included in the President’s proposal regarding the Medicare transparency and quality provisions.
The MMA statutorily requires the committees of jurisdiction to consider legislation and respond to the Medicare funding warning by June 30, 2008. However, Congress is not mandated to consider the President’s proposal as introduced. As such, legislation considered by the committees could take a different form.
AMA Position: The AMA will closely monitor all Medicare trigger legislative proposals considered by Congress. The AMA will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that physicians’ views are reflected when considering Medicare transparency and quality proposals. Additionally, the AMA will continue to advocate for enactment of meaningful medical liability reform legislation.
AMA's Advocacy Agenda Web Site
02.29.08 MedPAC Urges 1.1 Percent Physician Update in 2009
On Friday, February 29, MedPAC released its March 2008 report, which makes recommendations to Congress on 2009 Medicare payment updates for all providers. MedPAC does call for a positive update for physicians, however, due partly to the faltering economy, the update currently projected from the MedPAC formula is just 1.1 percent. The number fluctuates over the year, and is significantly lower than the 2008 increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) calculated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The AMA and other physician groups are calling on Congress to provide physicians with the MEI update of 1.8 percent in 2009.
02.15.08 MAG, AMA Encourage Members to Contact Senators to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts
Though we were successful in preventing a 10 percent cut to Medicare physician payments in January 2008, Congressional intervention only delayed the cuts for six months. The upcoming President's Day Congressional Recess - February 15-25 - is a critical opportunity to reach out to members of the United States Senate and impress on them the importance of meeting their self-imposed deadline of July 1, 2008 for preventing cuts to Medicare that will endanger the access to care of millions of beneficiaries.
To assist you in this endeavor, the AMA has developed several advocacy resources that we encourage you to use in reaching out to your U.S. Senators. Click on any link below to download:
- Talking Points
- Facts on Medicare’s Physician Payment Update Formula
- Facts on Medicare Advantage Program
- State-by-State Figures
- Breakdown of Gap Between Payment, Practice Costs
- Sample Letter to Send to Patients
01.30.08 MAG Praises Health Care Reform for Georgians: Physicians’ Group Influential in Shaping Legislation
The Medical Association of Georgia hailed the Governor’s health care announcement today as “a free-market solution promising affordable coverage and high-quality care to Georgia’s uninsured.”
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced in a press conference today his support of health insurance reform legislation that will be filed by Senator Judson Hill and Representative Mickey Channell . The legislation will insure more Georgia citizens by expanding the availability and affordability of High Deductible Health Plans and Health Care Savings Accounts in Georgia.
Click Here for MAG's Statement
Click Here for Press Release from Governor's Office
Click Here for the Georgia Uninsured Work Group Report
01.29.08 MAG President Commends Governor's Budget Proposal to Increase Physician Pay Rates
Read Press Release
01.29.08 President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – President Bush briefly spoke on health care during his final State of the Union.
Read Full Address
01.24.08 AMA's Statement on the State of Health Care in the U.S.
WASHINGTON – As President Bush prepares to address the top domestic and foreign policy issues facing the nation, American voters consistently cite health care as a top domestic priority. While there is much good in the delivery of health care, there are also areas in need of great improvement, notably providing all Americans with health care coverage and reforming Medicare.
The American Medical Association, through its national health care policy agenda, has identified the priority health issues facing our nation, and calls on Congress, the Administration, and candidates for national office to support proposals that will help improve the health care system.
Read Full Release
01.22.08 MAG Spearheads National Advocacy in CON Lawsuit
The Medical Association of Georgia escalated the state’s ongoing Certificate of Need (CON) debate to the national forefront today with the filing of a motion to intervene in the Superior Court of Dougherty County. The intervention comes in response to a suit filed in December by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals which challenges the Department of Community Health Board vote to make general surgery a single specialty. In an effort to fight this troublesome development, MAG has created the Legal Defense Fund to support our involvement in this legal battle. Please read the President's letter to Members for details.
Read MAG President's Letter to Members
Read Executive Director's Message
View Full Press Release
View MAG's Motion to Intervene
View Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals' Lawsuit
01.14.08 First Day of the Session
The 2008 Session of the Georgia General Assembly begins Monday, January 14, in Atlanta.
Read more
01.11.08 Report Released on Expanding Medical Education in Georgia
In September 2007, Medical College of Georgia retained Pittsburgh-based Tripp Umbach to complete the medical education expansion study on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. This week, the Tripp Umbach Report was distributed to Georgia lawmakers. The expansion addresses a critical statewide need for more physicians. The consulting firm has analyzed medical education needs nationwide and provided recommendations to the Board of Regents for expanding medical education in Georgia.
Read MAG's 2007 Resolution on MCG
Download Full Report
Download Presentation
Go to MCG-UGA: Expanding Medical Education in Georgia Web site
2007
12.20.07 MAG Voices Concern Over Short-Term Medicare Solution:
Congress Fails to Address Fundamental Access to Care Problem
ATLANTA – Dr. Jack M. Chapman, president of the Medical Association of Georgia, today expressed deep concern over “Congress’ failure to correct the Medicare payment formula. Instead, Congress chose to apply a Band-aid that doesn’t address core problems.”
12.19.07 Senate and House Pass Medicare/SCHIP Package
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday evening passed legislation by unanimous consent that replaces a 10.1 percent physician payment cut with a 0.5 percent increase for six months, extends expiring rural physician payment provisions and the Medicare physician quality reporting initiative and extends the SCHIP program through March 31, 2009. The House passed the bill Wednesday afternoon on a suspension of the rules calendar.
Read Executive Director's Message
Click Here for Medicare Act Summary
12.13.07 MAG Testimony Sways DCH Vote in Favor of General Surgeons
At the December 13 meeting, the Georgia Board of Community Health unanimously voted to recognize general surgery as a single specialty. The decision to remove general surgery from the definition of multi-specialty for purposes of the physician-owned exemption from the CON process for ambulatory surgical centers is a result of advocacy efforts on behalf of MAG and Georgia physicians.
In addition to adopting the rule change, the DCH Board voted to adopt a resolution to be transmitted to the legislature requesting the authority to impose Medicaid and indigent care requirements on LNR ASCs via rules and regulations. Please visit www.mag.org for updates and further information on this resolution in the upcoming weeks.
The DCH Board received more than 400 messages in support of this rule change. As always, we appreciate the efforts and involvement of our members and Georgia patients in the public policy process. Many thanks to those who sent letters and contacted DCH. MAG encourages you to continue your pursuit of positive change in the health care delivery system for all Georgians. This change will greatly enhance the trauma system and improve access to quality health care, in addition to providing reasonable and fair treatment to all of Georgia's General Surgeons.
11.29.07 MAG Stands Strong for General Surgeons
The full weight of The Medical Association of Georgia was brought to bear at the November 28 DCH meeting with an overwhelming presence in support of a rule that would recognize General Surgery as a single specialty. MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., led a host of MAG officer testimony in favor of the rule.
Numerous other physicians came out to support a change to the current definition of "multi-specialty ambulatory surgery service" in the regulation to include the recognition of General Surgery as a single specialty for purposes of the physician-owned exemption from the CON process for ambulatory surgical centers. Georgia is currently the only state that does not recognize the practice of General Surgery as a single medical specialty for this purpose.
Dr. S. William Clark III (MAG Immediate Past President) effectively dispelled hospital arguments on behalf of MAG and made many strong points in support of this rule change. DCH will vote on the proposed rule change on December 13.
Thank you to all those that joined MAG in attendance at the November 28 DCH Board hearing. We need to keep up the pressure! We urge you as individual physicians, specialty organizations and county medical societies to send personal letters to DCH and ask for their support so that this needed rule change will occur. Visit the Contact DCH Web page to compose and send a letter to them right now! View Sample Letter
MAG can help you become an effective advocate. You can print out a message for DCH Board members on post card stock for your patients to sign and you can mail those to the Community Health Board, as well. The more messages, especially from physicians and patients, the more of an impact we will have. Download Postcard for Patients
As always, we appreciate the efforts and involvement of our members in the public policy process. MAG encourages you to continue your pursuit of positive change in the health care delivery system for all Georgians. This proposed change would greatly enhance the trauma system and improve access to quality health care, in addition to providing reasonable and fair treatment to all of Georgia's General Surgeons. Now is the time for every physician in our state to stand united and support this important proposal.
10.01.07 Bush Signs Bill that Delays Tamper-Proof Rx Pad Requirements
On Saturday, President Bush signed HR 3668, delaying the implementation of the Medicaid tamper-resistant Rx pad mandate for 6 months. Since the provision to require tamper-proof prescription pads was slipped into the Iraq war supplemental appropriation bill, MAG and others have lobbied for an extension to comply with the new regulation. On September 26, our efforts paid off as Congress passed a provision in a continuing funding resolution, which delayed implementation of the regulation. The Georgia Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) Outpatient Pharmacy Program requiring physicians to use tamper-resistant prescription pads for any new prescription will now be effective April 1, 2008. The six-month delay came with the help of Georgia Congressman Nathan Deal (R-9th District), who managed this piece of legislation on the floor of the House.
06.07.07 Price Introduces Legislation for Comprehensive HealthCARE
Georgia Rep. Tom Price, M.D., introduced the Comprehensive HealthCARE (Coverage and Reform Enhancement) Act of 2007 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Two years in the making, Rep. Price's legislation aims to put patients back in charge of their health care to ensure access, affordability, choice and quality.
Health care is potentially the most personal and important issue to face every individual in our nation. With over 46 million Americans periodically uninsured annually and the federal government spending over 2.2 trillion dollars on health care this year alone, we need immediate reforms to our current health care system. The skyrocketing cost and strict insurance market are leaving patients with no choice on how and where they receive their care, and by whom. Now is the time to energize and empower patients to make the critical health care decisions that affect their own lives. Putting patients back in charge of their health care will ensure access, affordability, choice and quality.
Read One-Page Flyer
Read Act Summary
Read Draft of Entire Comprehensive HealthCARE Act
05.08.07 Gov. Perdue Cancels Special Session
Gov. Sonny Perdue on Tuesday withdrew his veto of a $700 million mid-year budget bill, which negates having to hold a special session. Gov. Perdue cited the futility of working with Republican House leaders in a special session, saying he would give a line-item veto to the $142 million property tax rebate the budget contained. Instead, that money will go into reserves. Gov. Perdue blamed the unwillingness of Republican House leaders to drop their desire to override his veto, and engage in discussions of a compromise, if the General Assembly were to gather again.
02.12.07 Chambliss, Isakson Introduce Legislation to Fix Funding Shortfall for SCHIP Program
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today introduced a measure to fix the current funding shortfall for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The senators filed an amendment to the Continuing Resolution legislation, H.J. Res.20, being considered this week by the U.S. Senate that provides budget authority for federal agencies and programs to continue in operation until the regular appropriations acts are enacted.
Chambliss and Isakson have also filed their proposal as a stand-alone bill. Georgia is one of several states experiencing a funding shortfall in Fiscal Year 2007. Both senators have been working tirelessly to find a short-term funding solution as well as a long-term solution that addresses the current flaws in the SCHIP formula when Congress reauthorizes the program this year.
"Time is running out on this funding issue for Georgia's children," said Chambliss. "Hard-working Georgians who qualify for this program don't need to wonder how they are going to pay for their children's health care. We must bridge the gap so that these children can continue to be insured, and I hope the Democratic leadership will allow this amendment to be considered. While we need a short-term solution now, we've got to find long-term solutions that address the current flaws in the SCHIP formula when we reauthorize the program this year."
"Senator Chambliss and I have been working every day and exploring every opportunity to find a solution to the shortfall that Georgia and many other states face under the State Children's Health Insurance Program. We believe this approach is the best option to ensure that Georgia's children do not lose their health insurance, and we urge Democratic Leader Harry Reid and all of our colleagues to support it," Isakson said. "We also must re-authorize the program this year and permanently fix a funding formula that penalizes states such as Georgia that do such a good job providing health insurance for underprivileged children."
The Chambliss-Isakson measure would redistribute Fiscal Year 2005 and Fiscal Year 2006 funds from states that have an excess of more than 200 percent in federal SCHIP funds to cover the estimated $745 million shortfall for the 14 states in need for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2007. If the money is not used, it will be returned to the federal treasury. Under the Chambliss-Isakson measure, Georgia would receive an estimated $131 million to prevent a funding shortfall for Fiscal Year 2007.
The bill also includes a provision that would provide less funding for states that currently provide adults healthcare with SCHIP funding. Georgia is not one of these states.
Justin Clay
Legislative Assistant
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
416 Russell Building
Washington, DC 20510
202.224.3521
02.01.07 SB 17 Substitute Voted Out of HHS Committee
A substitute offered to SB 17 was voted out of the Senate Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee on Thursday, February 1. The substitute provides for more narrow optometrist prescriptive authority than SB 17. SB 17, sponsored by Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) would authorize optometrists to prescribe and administer oral and topical pharmaceutical agents related to the diagnosis or treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye and adnexa oculi except Schedule I and Schedule II drugs.
01.29.07 Impact of U.S. Congress' HR 6111
Passage in December 2006 of HR 6111 prevented a 5 percent cut in Medicare payment rates for all physician services due to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, which was slated to be imposed January 1, 2007. HR 6111 also prevented a reduction in the geographic practice cost index (GPCI) for physician work that would have affected more than 50 payment localities. (Data compiled by the American Medical Association)
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01.08.07 First Day of the Session
The 2007 Session of the Georgia General Assembly began Monday, January 8, in Atlanta.
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2006
05.06 Highlights of the 2006 Georgia General Assembly
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03.31.06 Legislative Session Ends
View the final weekly edition of MAG News from the Capitol.
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03.06 SB 480 Nurse Prescribing - A Win for Doctors, Nurses & Patients
A bill that would give advanced practice registered nurses the authority to prescribe passed the legislature on March 27. The bill was negotiated through the leadership of interested legislators, representatives of the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA). It received overwhelming support from the legislature. The bill is a win for doctors and patients, because it provides greater oversight and regulation of nurses that perform medical acts such as prescribing under physician supervision. It is a win for nurses because it gives them more flexibility within such structure to perform the medical acts a supervising physican may delegate to them.
It is important to note that SB 480 does not change the current protocol law. Any practice that is occurring now can continue. However, the new authority granted nurses under SB 480 may only be exercised under a much different structure which we believe represents the model for future relationships between physians and nurses.
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03.06 HB 1390 Update
Look at how optometrist prescriptive authority in Georgia compares to other states.
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01.06 MAG's Prioritities for the 2006 Legislative Session
The 2006 legislative priorities were amended by the 2005 House of Delegates and adopted by the Board of Directors at the October 15, 2005 meeting.
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2005
06.09.05 MAG Testifies Before Congress on Patient Safety
U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, Chairman of the Health Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, asked MAG to provide testimony to the Health Subcommittee on the issue of Patient Safety and Quality Improvements in Health Care. Dr. William Bornstein testified on behalf of MAG. Dr. Bornstein serves on MAG's Institute for Excellence in Medicine dedicated to promoting patient safety and improving quality of care. He also serves as Chief Quality Officer and Medical Director, Information Services at Emory Healthcare.
Dr. Bornstein was on a panel that included Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Director Agency for Healthcare Research; Dr. Dennis O'Leary, President, JCAHO, Dr. Dean Griffin, American College of Surgeons and Ms. Jane Loewenson, Director, Health Policy National Partnership for Women & Families.
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03.21.05 Non Physicians Seek to Expand Practice Scope
Allied Health Providers, specifically chiropractors, advance practice nurses (APRNs), and optometrists are seeking to expand their retrospective scopes of practice through legislative channels again this year.
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02.15.05 Governor Perdue Signs SB 3
SB 3 was signed today by Gov. Perdue at the Northside Hospital Women’s Center. Senator Preston Smith, sponsor of the bill, attended the signing, along with MAG members and staff. The bill caps non-economic damages at $350,000.
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02.14.05 Victory for Senate Bill 3
SB 3 has passed with a cap of $350,000 on non-economic damages, a heightened standard of proof for emergency department care, elimination of joint and several liability and strong reform of the laws regarding expert witness and venue. SB 3 is on its way to the Governor’s desk for his signature!
02.10.05 Meaningful Tort Reform One Vote Away
Today meaningful tort reform is one step closer to becoming a reality for Georgia patients and physicians. SB 3, comprehensive tort reform legislation, overwhelmingly passed the Georgia House of Representatives. The House version of SB 3 contains a $350,000 hard cap on non-economic damages, a heightened standard of proof for emergency department care, elimination of joint and several liability and strong reform of the laws regarding expert witnesses and venue.
02.01.05 Tort Reform Passes the State Senate
The Senate overwhelmingly gave approval to the Committee Substitute to SB3 today by a vote of 39-15. This victory for organized medicine brings tort reform one step closer to reality.
The Medical Association of Georgia supports SB3, the comprehensive tort reform bill that includes a Texas style version of the $250,000 cap on non-economic damages (sponsored by Senator Preston Smith.) Before official debate, the Senate agreed 29-25 to engross SB 3, which prevented any amendments from being added to it on the Senate floor.
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