January 9, 2020 Issue 96
Sen. Max Wise Presented with KMA Advocacy Award
Sen. Max Wise of Campbellsville was presented with KMA’s 2019 Advocacy Award on Tuesday, Jan. 7 during the opening day of the 2020 General Assembly.

The award is presented to individuals who have effected positive change in the healthcare space through their advocacy efforts. Sen. Wise is chairman of the Education Committee and a member of a number of others, including Health and Welfare. In 2014 he defeated a Republican Senate Candidate in the primary by differentiating himself on one issue – tort reform. He has since become a strong advocate for policies that support physicians and patients across Kentucky. Sen. Wise has had an open-door policy for KMA, voting in favor of legislation improving the prior authorization process and establishing tobacco free schools, as well as cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers, serving as a champion for the issue in the Senate.

Ben Chandler, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, also received the KMA Advocacy Award during the 2019 Annual Meeting in September. 
2020 Legislative Session Convenes
The 2020 session of the Kentucky General Assembly convened on Tuesday, Jan. 7 in Frankfort. As with all even-numbered years, the session will last for 60 days and legislators will need to pass a two-year budget.

KMA worked with members and leadership to develop its list of 2020 Advocacy Priorities and will focus its efforts in three areas: public health, public safety and access to care.

Physicians are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these issues by visiting the KMA Advocacy webpage, as well as by signing up for Legislative Text Alerts by texting “KMA” to 50457. Weekly updates from Frankfort are also available through the KMA Legislative Bulletin , distributed each Tuesday via email. Members are also asked to register for the 2020 Physicians’ Day at the Capitol , scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6.

As customary during the session, Kentucky Health eNews will be published on Thursdays and will resume publication on Tuesdays following the close of the General Assembly.  
KMA’s AIM for Better Care Initiative Featured on KET
January 7 marked the premier of two primetime ads featuring KMA and the AIM for Better Care initiative. The ads will air at the beginning and end of each broadcast of PBS Newshour through April 21 and highlight KMA’s new AIM website, https://www.aimforbettercare.org/ . The program airs nightly from 7-8 p.m. ET. 
Register for Answers to Kentucky's Youth Vaping Epidemic Rally
MEMBER NEWS
Dr. Tuckson featured in MD-Update magazine

KMA member Wayne Tuckson, M.D. , colorectal surgeon at UofL Physicians Colorectal Surgery Associates, was featured in MD-Update magazine for his efforts to improve the Commonwealth’s health outcomes.
Drs. Homm and Krause Help patients achieve successful pregnancies

KMA members Robert J. Homm, M.D. , and Miriam S. Krause, M.D. , with Fertility & Endocrine Associates, were featured in MD-Update magazine for helping their patients achieve successful pregnancies.
Member ID: WebLogon
Password: Person ID
9300 Shelbyville Road Suite 850
Louisville, Kentucky 40222
502.426.6200
Kentucky Health eNews  is sponsored by:
The exclusively endorsed medical malpractice insurer of the KMA