MISSISSIPPI ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
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Hospice Bill on Governor's Desk
On Monday, June 15, the Senate passed the MAFP-supported bill
HB 1520
, sending it to Governor Tate Reeves' desk, where it arrived this morning
. Under state law, the governor must sign legislation within 5 days after transmittal (excluding Sunday), so Thursday, June 25, is the governor's deadline.
HB 1520 would allow hospice medical directors to operate as they always have, providing pain management and compassionate care to patients during their final stages of life. MAFP members - including many hospice medical directors - made calls to Senators asking for their support, and the measure overwhelmingly passed on a 48-4 vote. Thank you.
Academy Weighs in on Other Bills
MAFP's Advocacy Committee reviews bills in the Mississippi Legislature and makes decisions for the Academy about what bills to support and oppose. Along with MAFP's lobbyist, this committee has had a lot of work to do during this long-lasting 2020 legislative session.
This week,
MAFP sent a letter to the House Drug Policy Chair
outlining our opposition to
SB 2802
, which would mandate electronic prescribing for controlled substances with certain exceptions. The letter argues that "regulatory or mandated requirements should not jeopardize patient care or place unfunded mandates on the practicing physician, particularly those in private practice." Following our letter, the House
removed the mandatory prescription language as we suggested
, then passed the amended bill. It has returned to the Senate for concurrence or non-concurrence with a deadline of July 2.
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State Health Officer Issues New Directives for Physicians, Hospitals
Friday at 1 pm, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs issued a new
Order for Outpatient and Inpatient Medical Services
effective until July 15. It provides updates to previously-issued recommendations for in-person clinic visits and elective procedures, and it allows for minimal inpatient visitation including a maximum of one caregiver per patient.
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Nominating Committee Releases 2020 Slate
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Reserve Hotel Rooms for Annual Meeting - Deadline June 29
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The MAFP is working with other state chapters to host a FREE webinar series to recognize that in the midst of chaos, family physicians have a unique opportunity to harness and forge their own financially-successful practice management path.
The third and final webinar is 'The Future of Family Medicine in the Post COVID-19 World" and features AAFP Executive Vice President Shawn Martin and Dr. Farzad Mostashari of Aledade.
It will be Thursday, June 25 at 7 pm Central
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Register Here
Application for CME credit has been approved by AAFP. Our thanks to Aledade ACO for working to create the webinars.
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HPV Roundtable Seeks Increase in Number of Vaccinated Preteens in Mississippi
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Professionals from around the state, including MAFP staff, are taking part in a Mississippi HPV Roundtable to bring information to physicians and consumers about human papilloma virus vaccination, and the difference it can make in health outcomes.
The group, managed by Amy Ellis of American Cancer Society in Mississippi, is working to launch a website and to send information to clinics across the state to encourage preteen vaccination.
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Annual Scientific Assembly Moving Forward
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Raffle Donations Needed
Members are invited to donate items to the MAFP Foundation Raffle which will be held Tuesday, July 21, at the MAFP Annual Meeting in Sandestin.
Last year's raffle items
included several donations from physicians. All proceeds benefit MAFP Foundation's scholarships and programs.
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MAFP Resources for Physicians
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