GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Legislative Advocacy
MOA advocates on behalf of osteopathic physicians at the state and federal level, screening hundreds of bills each legislative session and weighing-in on those impacting members such as Medicaid, scope-of-practice and provider reimbursement / distribution of state funding. MOA’s Council on Government Affairs and Michigan Osteopathic Political Action Committee fuel the Association’s advocacy efforts.
Physicians ask State Lawmakers to approve Health Care Reform that Cuts Wait Times, Improves Access to Care
In a unanimous vote, the Michigan State Senate Insurance Committee voted unanimously to support Senate Bills 429 and 430 which calls on Michigan's Insurance Commissioner to create a single universal prior authorization form to create uniformity in the authorization process, replacing hundreds of pages of paperwork currently forced on physicians. Kurt C. Anderson, D.O. and William R. Morrone, D.O. both testified in support of SBs 429 and 430. Read the Press Release. View Dr. Anderson's testimony.
Medicare Participation Guide / SGR Resources
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides physicians with the opportunity to change their Medicare participation status. Physicians will be notified by their Medicare administrative contractor when it’s time to make their participation decision. MORE>
Letter-writing campaigns:
H.R. 452: Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2011 repeals sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related to the establishment of an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Removing Congressional authority may jeopardize patient access to quality care. In order to help push H.R. 452 forward, we're encouraging you to contact the Michigan Congressional Delegation this week. Please send an email or fax using this sample letter, make a phone call or direct message them on Twitter. If you are not aware of your Representative, please visit Michigan House of Representatives website.
As physicians are well aware, the Medicare Wellness Exams are focused on information collection and does not allow for physical examinations. The MOA opposes the Medicare Wellness Exams as currently defined. Here you will find an opposition letter that may be mailed to your federal elected official. If you don't know who to send the letter to, please see links below.
Although the federal anti-trust decision has not yet issued, the MOA Board of Trustees opposes the merger between ExpressScripts and Medco The combined company would control 47% of all Pharmacy Management services nationally. The MOA opposes this merger due to the lack of accountability by either company as to profits. Here you will find an opposition letter that may be mailed to your state and federal elected official. If you don't know who to send the letter to, please see links below.
Resources:
- The Michigan Legislature – Search current and past legislative documents, including bills, resolutions and journals.
- A Citizen's Guide to State Government – A reference tool that will assist you in your efforts to be heard by public officials.
- How a Bill Becomes a Law – The major steps of the legislative process that a bill must go through before it is enacted into law.
