The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) continually works to advocate on behalf of osteopathic physicians and community health issues and legislation. The MOA Advocacy and Issues email is designed to connect members to the issues that impact healthcare and physicians. If you have questions or comments, please contact Todd Ross at: tross@domoa.org
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UPDATE: HOUSE BILL 5523 PASSES
February 9, 2022— House Bill 5523 has passed. This bill will provide vital resources to retain and gain healthcare workers in the communities that need it the most.
A special "Thanks!" to all of the MOA members and followers who contacted their legislators to let them know the impact this funding will make on healthcare workers and healthcare systems, today and in the future.
Below is a message from Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.
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Interested in Serving the Profession and Protecting the Public?
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing is seeking qualified osteopathic physicians to serve as expert witnesses in licensing matters. Expert witnesses will evaluate case files and assist the Department in determining whether a violation of the Public Health Code has occurred.
Please use the subject line [Interest in Department Expert Program- Name, D.O.] and attach an updated CV.
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The Michigan Osteopathic Association House of Delegates (HOD) will take place Saturday, April 30, 2022. The HOD will be virtual and has been moved from the traditional Spring Convention in order to adhere to the American Osteopathic Association's HOD timeline of submitting resolutions to their HOD.
Resolutions must be submitted by February 18, 2022
The MOA relies on the support and participation of its members in shaping the health policy of tomorrow. Submitting resolutions for action directly influences the MOA advocacy agenda.
Delegates to the MOA HOD must be submitted by February 18, 2022
Even if you have never served as a delegate before, the MOA welcomes you to join at this most important event. Contact your component society to learn more about how you can be a delegate or submit resolutions.
Who Can Author and Introduce Resolutions?
Any MOA member in good standing may author a resolution; however, introduction of resolutions to the House of Delegates is limited to delegates, alternate-seated delegates, component associations, MOA Departments, Councils, or Board of Trustees. Non-delegate status members in good standing should contact their component association for assistance in identifying an appropriate channel for resolution introduction.
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CPAN Urges Swift Passage of New Legislation Addressing Michigan’s Catastrophic Care Crisis
Bill will help mitigate fee schedule fallout, but more action needed to preserve access to treatment and services for severely injured crash victims
LANSING, Mich. – (Jan. 26, 2022) — CPAN, the consumer protection coalition fighting for fair insurance laws, today called for swift passage of a new bill introduced by State Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) that would help address the state’s catastrophic care crisis.
CPAN President Devin Hutchings said HB 5698 comes not a moment too soon.
“Families are suffering,” he said. “Small businesses are hanging on by a thread and going deep into the red to protect their patients. The entire post-acute care industry is on the brink of collapse. We are grateful to Rep. Green and all supporters of his bill for standing up for crash victims and the health care heroes who care for them.”
Although leaders like Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey have said they wanted to take a wait-and-see approach before tweaking the 55% cap in catastrophic care that went into effect this past July, the evidence that it has been devastating to crash victims is overwhelming. According to a recent report from the nonprofit health organization MPHI, 1,548 no-fault patients have been discharged by their previous providers and 3,049 Michigan jobs have been eliminated since the new law’s fee schedule went into effect in July 2021. Meanwhile, 140 organizations reported having to significantly reduce services, 96 organizations can’t accept new patients with no-fault insurance funding, and 21 organizations have had to cease operating completely.
The MPHI data comes on top of last month’s report from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, which found that the 55% reimbursement cap had proven to be too “dramatic.” The study’s authors wrote: “Already, reports suggest these fee caps are causing problems for accident victims who were injured prior to the passage of the reform bill, as many providers face budget shortfalls and may be forced to go out of business.”
Meanwhile, the 7,000+ member grassroots group We Can’t Wait has staged several high-profile protests and events to raise awareness of the plight of crash victims, and hundreds of news stories focusing on victims’ loss of care have been published.
“For months, crash victims have been pleading with lawmakers to fix this mistake,” Hutchings said. “The fact that Rep. Green was able to secure 58 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle speaks to the bipartisan support for protecting survivors. It’s not hyperbole to say their very lives are on the line if they aren’t able to access treatment. We need action now.”
Hutchings urged the Legislature to pass HB 5698 in conjunction with HB 5500, introduced by State Rep. Bob Bezotte (R-Marion Township), which would protect additional services that are necessary for survivors of catastrophic injuries, such as transportation, case management, guardianship, and more.
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LARA Update:
Electronic Prescriptions
The Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has released an FAQ regarding the requirement for Electronic Prescriptions. The 3-page PDF file offers answers to common questions—including when the requirements take affect—and contact information in case physicians need further clarifications.
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Scope of Practice Legislation:
MOA, joins efforts to protect physician-led, Team-based care with MiAACT
Trained experts. Compassionate caregivers. A true team of individuals, each playing an essential role and doing their part—with the patient at the center of it all.
It’s the kind of care Michigan patients expect for themselves and their loved ones. And frankly, we believe it’s the kind of care they all deserve.
With that in mind, we’re excited to announce we’ve joined a new coalition— Michigan for Advancing Collaborative Care Teams (MiACCT) that solely focused on preserving and strengthening the health care teams we all rely on for our care. And we believe it’s a coalition that couldn’t have come at a better time.
David Best, DO, the president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) said ”Patients trust the Team-based health care where doctors supervise and collaborate on direct care and prescribing medications. Senate Bill 680 would authorize nurse practitioners to make decisions, formerly made by physicians, without additional training.”
Every day, across the country, powerful special interest groups work to undermine the team-based approach to health care all in the interest of making a buck. The policies they promote take physicians, away from their patients and jeopardize the patient care and safety in the process.
Thankfully, MiACCT is here to fight back.
Made up of a growing number of health care providers and patient advocacy organizations united and committed in the belief that the time-tested, physician-led, patient-centered model of care is the very best way to increase health care access without compromising patient safety or quality of care, MiACCT exists to fight for what’s best for Michigan’s patients. That’s what they need. That’s what they deserve. And we’re happy to be a part of it.
The MOA also enlisted support from the Ingham County Osteopathic Association, Wayne County Osteopathic Medical Association, the Oakland County Osteopathic Medical Association and the Macomb County Osteopathic Medical Association.
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Make sure your Senator knows Nurse Practitioners should be part of the care team, not independent from it and to vote NO on Senate Bill 680
Senate Bill 680 was recently introduced in the Michigan Senate that will allow for full independent practice for nurse practitioners (NPs). Under the bill, not only would NPs be allowed to provide direct care without physician supervision or collaboration, they would also be allowed to prescribe opioids and other controlled substances. Further, the bill wouldn’t even require additional training or education for NPs.
We know this isn’t what’s best for patients. They want and deserve a robust care team that collaborates for their best interest. The way to do that is NOT creating silos of care. It’s NOT putting those with less training and experience in charge of their care. Let your Senator know this isn’t the right plan for Michigan’s patients.
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American Osteopathic Association hosts DO Day 2022
April 23-24, 2022 (Virtual Conference), April 26-27, 2022 (In-Person)
DO Day will offer more health policy content and opportunities for community engagement, leadership development and advocacy training than ever before. Attendees will have an opportunity to educate their lawmakers about the issues osteopathic physicians and students face. DO Day 2022 will include a two-day virtual conference followed by two-days of in-person briefings and meetings with policymakers in Washington, DC.
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MOA Advocacy
Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Coverage Act 2021
Along with more than 300 leading cancer advocacy organizations across the country, and nine here in Michigan including the Michigan Osteopathic Association, we’re proud to support the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act of 2021. This legislation has received strong bipartisan support from Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, as well as Representatives John Moolenaar, Fred Upton, and Dan Kildee. This important bill would support coverage of a new category of cancer screening for Medicare recipients - known as multi-cancer early detection (MCED) – as soon as the technologies are approved by the Food & Drug Administration. New detection technologies represent a monumental change in the way providers and patients could combat cancer. MCED can detect dozens of cancers, early before patients show symptoms, and can identify the cancer and its location in the body.
The bill has received broad support by more than 140 Democrat and Republican Members of Congress who have agreed to cosponsor the legislation. MCED could be the breakthrough needed to completely change the landscape in the War on Cancer, and this legislation would ensure that Medicare patients and providers can utilize these innovative technologies as soon as possible – which could help save countless lives. The Michigan Osteopathic Association thanks Michigan’s representatives for adding their support behind this legislation, and we hope that Congress will take this important opportunity to play a role in ending the threat of cancer as we know it.
For more information, click HERE.
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The Michigan Osteopathic Political Action Committee (MOPAC) fights to elect and re-elect pro-physician candidates through direct contributions, voter education and targeted political activism. As a physician, your time and resources are limited. MOPAC is the best resource for you to learn who supports the osteopathic profession and how you can help elect candidates that represents you and your patients.
MOPAC is the political arm of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) and the sole voice of the osteopathic profession in campaigns and elections on the state level. Governed by a committee made up of osteopathic physicians, MOPAC is constantly working to increase our effectiveness in elections and strengthen the clout of the physician community.
2112 University Park Drive, Suite 100, Okemos, MI 48864
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RESOURCES
American Osteopathic Association
Michigan
United States
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