Lansing, MI- The Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) hosted the 30th annual, Legislative and Public Policy Conference at the Radisson Lansing at the Capitol. The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) hosted a pre-conference session on "Opioid Epidemic: Exploring the workplace." The session featured the MOA's David Best, DO, and Stephen Bell, DO, as part of an expert panel.

The Legislative and Public Policy Conference is one of the more influential policy events in Lansing. Legislators and policy makers are drawn to a crowd made up of the biggest associations in the state. "We are proud to be a partner in this great event," said MOA Executive Director, Kris Nicholoff. "It really connects the MOA with the groups that can help us move our issues forward."

The conference attracted a veritable, "Who's Who" of Lansing politics and once again featured "Media Pundits: Tackling the Issues and Offering Solutions." The panel of media experts included Tim Skubick, Capitol Correspondent, Michigan Radio Network; Danielle Emerson, Gongwer; Kyle Melinn, MIRS; and Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press. The session was a run down of the Trump administration after the first few weeks and some prognostication on the next race for governor of Michigan. The audience was able to participate with a Text Poll allowing attendees to join in on the prediction process, with real-time results projected on screens in the room.

"MSAE's Legislative and Public Policy Conference provides an exceptional value because of partners like the Michigan Osteopathic Association," said Edward Woods III, MSAE's director of Learning and Leadership Experiences. "It's because of their involvement we can identify the compelling issues facing Michigan and have a chance to address them. This conference is better because of our partnership with MOA."

Links:
MSAE Leg Pub web page
#LegPub

The State of Michigan will be replacing the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) with Appriss, PMP AWARxE software. MAPS is the prescription monitoring program used in Michigan to identify and prevent drug diversion at the prescriber, pharmacy and patient levels by collecting Schedule 2-5 controlled substances prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies and practitioners. 

Key Dates:
- March 9, 2017: PMP AWARxE registration available for new MAPS platform.
- April 3, 2017: Last day to submit requests and/or file submissions to the existing MAPS.
- April 4, 2017: All requests and reporting must go through the new system. Current MAPS accounts will no longer be accessible.

Important Information:
- Accounts from the current MAPS will not be transferred to the new system.
- Beginning March 9, 2017, pre-registration to PMP AWARxE will open to setup your new MAPS account.
- All requests and reporting will be made to the current system through April 3, 2017.

According to LARA's website there is no action to take currently. MOA will send reminder emails, including links to registration instructions for access to the new system and a short 'how to' training tutorial between now and April.

Rep. Edward Canfield, DO, and former President of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) has introduced a resolution to declare Feb. 21-27 Family Medicine Week in the state of Michigan.

As a family physician himself, Rep. Canfield knows firsthand the efforts of these individuals and was happy to officially recognize the crucial role they play in keeping Michigan residents healthy.

"Family physicians are important and unique to the practice of medicine," said Rep. Canfield, R-Sebewaing. "Not only do they possess years of education and training, but also a special understanding of the whole person in the context of the family and the community."

Rep. Canfield is very involved Michigan medical associations, in addition to serving as MOA President and as a Board Trustee, he also served as president for the Eastern Michigan Osteopathic Association and he currently serves as a Michigan delegate for the American Osteopathic Association.

In recognition of cervical health awareness month, MDHHS issued the attached press release on the importance of HPV vaccination.
 
As a reminder, registration is now open for the HPV Update webinar entitled, "Prevent Cancer through HPV Vaccination: Update for Health Care Personnel."
 
The goals of the webinar are to:
- Define the importance of HPV vaccination for cancer prevention and the rationale for vaccinating at ages 11 or 12;
- List the indications for HPV vaccine, including the new 2-dose recommendations; and
- Provide useful and compelling information about HPV vaccine to aid parents in making the decision to vaccinate.
 
There will be two offerings of this webinar at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Registration is required for all attendees.
Register today at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/HPVRecommendations/

The MOA Pulse connects members, partners and the communities we serve. If you have any news or events you would like to us share, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:

Todd Ross

Manager of Communications

Michigan Osteopathic Association

517/827-0615

[email protected]