MSMS Members Testify in House Health Policy Committee > Michigan State Medical Society

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MSMS Members Testify in House Health Policy Committee

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (MSMS opposes)

On Tuesday, September 19, Megan Edison, MD, offered testimony on behalf of the Michigan State Medical Society opposing House Bills 4066 and 4067 before the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.

House Bill 4066 would set up an "interstate medical licensure compact," which is the last thing our medical system needs -- one more unnecessary barrier between physicians and their patients.

The bill requires Michigan physicians to engage in Maintenance of Certification procedures in order to obtain and preserve their medical license. Maintenance of Certification is not a requirement for licensure in Michigan, or any state for that matter, and for good reason -- the process is costly, wastefully, and has no impact on the quality of the care physicians deliver.

HBs 4066/4067 passed in Committee on Tuesday, September 26. Now it will head to the floor of the House of Representatives for vote. But it's not too late to let your state representative know this is bad policy. Please urge your lawmaker to vote NO on HBs 4066/4077 >>
   

Controlled Substances Mandate (MSMS opposes as written)

On Tuesday, September 27, Betty Chu, MD, MPH, MSMS President-elect, offered testimony on behalf of the Michigan State Medical Society opposing Senate Bills 166 and 167 before the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.

Senate Bill 166 would require physicians to run a Michigan Automated Prescription Systems (MAPS) report on all new patients when prescribing schedule II-V drugs, and Senate Bill 167 would implement punitive punishments for those failing to do so, including mandatory classes and sanctions under certain circumstances.

Combatting controlled substance abuse is a worthy goal, but this legislation is a poor attempt at a solution. Senate Bill 166 requires physicians to engage a complex reporting tool every time a new patient needs something as routine as cough syrup -- that's bad policy. Bottom line: Physicians -- not lawmakers -- know best when it comes to taking care of patients.

The last thing physicians need is another barrier between them and the patients they've been entrusted to serve. Please urge your lawmaker to vote NO on SBs 166/167 >>
   

7-day Limit on the Prescription of Opioids (MSMS opposes as written)

On Tuesday, September 27, Betty Chu, MD, MPH, MSMS President-elect, offered testimony on behalf of the Michigan State Medical Society opposing Senate Bill 274 before the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.

Michigan is in the midst of an opioid abuse crisis, and the Michigan State Medical Society is leading the fight to find solutions that work for physicians and their patients. Thoughtful action on this front will save lives and a lot of needless heartache.

However, Senate Bill 274 should not be part of the solution

The legislation, sponsored by state Senator Marty Knollenberg, implements a 7-day limit on the prescription of opioids. In many cases, such a requirement is reasonable and even advisable, but physicians need to have the flexibility to extend the length of a prescription when appropriate for patient care. Most state models have that kind of flexibility, and Michigan should be no different.

Please urge your lawmaker to vote NO on SB 274 >>

 

Posted in: State Government News, Board of Directors News, Hot Topics, News for Practices, Advocacy

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