With the start of 2017, physicians in state and medical societies are thinking ahead to identify their legislative priorities for the year.
During a recent American Medical Association State Legislative Strategy Conference this month in Florida, physician leaders identified a number of state legislative and regulatory issues they will focus on in 2017. A recent AMA report highlighted the following issues that surfaced:
- Strengthening Medicaid. Medicaid expansion is among the big components of the ACA. Given that President-elect Donald Trump, along with Republican members of Congress, have vowed to repeal at least some of the ACA, many states expect to debate the future of Medicaid expansion this year, according to the report. Certain state medical associations will also advocate for various Medicaid reforms like addressing accountable care organizations and delivery system reform incentive payments programs. Additionally, many states are contending with fiscal issues that threaten Medicaid funding, the report states, so maintaining adequate Medicaid payment rates will continue to be a top priority.
- Reducing the nation's opioid epidemic. Combating the nation's opioid epidemic will continue to be a priority for physicians in 2017. According to the report, much of the new legislation focuses on mandated prescription drug monitoring, physician education, substance-use disorder treatment, guidelines or restrictions on prescribing controlled substances. Proposals to increase access to naloxone will also be considered in states.
- Provider network issues. Out-of-network billing has become a key issue as patients take on more financial responsibility for their care. According to the report, more than 24 state medical societies expect to see proposals to address out-of-network billing in 2017, specifically in the hospital-based setting, according to the report. Many states could also see proposals introduced to address the adequacy of these provider networks to offer access to network providers, the report states.
Read the AMA report to see the other issues physicians will take to legislators this year, including improving public health and advancing physician-led team-based care.
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