Good news! Telemedicine Bill Dies on Committee Action Deadline
February 7, 2019

On Monday, the Senate Insurance Committee was set to bring up the telemedicine bill (SB 2689), but there was a motion to lay the bill on the table. The motion carried, effectively killing the bill.

On Tuesday, the House Insurance Committee placed a companion telemedicine bill (HB 738) on its agenda, but when the meeting was gaveled to order, the committee chair announced that the bill would not be discussed after all. The bill also died on Tuesday's 8:30 pm committee action deadline.

These outcomes are a direct result of phone calls, texts and e-mails from family physicians, and family physicians should be proud that they were able to tell their stories and successfully effect change.

Ashley Thompson, MAFP's Lobbyist, commented: "The voice of family medicine was heard on this issue. Legislators from across the state commented to me about the calls and texts. Members of the Senate Insurance not only heard your concerns but directly read from some of your emails and texts! Family Medicine's strong presence in communities and at the Capitol made a huge difference on helping House and Senate members understand the positives and negatives associated with this bill."
News from the State Capitol
By Ashley Thompson, Lobbyist
Tuesday, Feb. 5, marked the first significant deadline for the 2019 legislative session, the committee deadline. For bills to move forward in the process, they had to be vetted and passed out of committee by 8:30pm Tuesday night.

The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians legislative committee and membership worked diligently to ensure the practice of medicine was protected in Mississippi. 

We were successful in defeating two telemedicine bills that would have been bad for family medicine practices across the state. We were proud to work alongside MSMA and Pediatricians to ensure that all scope of practice and vaccine exemption laws were defeated.

Multiple times during the committee deadline week, I heard from legislators about how much they appreciated hearing from family physicians on important issues.

We are continuing to monitor several bills that have moved forward in the process and are preparing for the appropriation and revenue bill deadline that is later this month.

Family Medicine is strong in Mississippi because of our doctors! Let's keep working together to promote Family Medicine and move Mississippi forward.
Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians
755 Avignon Drive, Ridgeland MS 39157
(601) 853-3302
https://www.msafp.org