APMA News - January 2012 - (Page 20)

Paving the Path to Parity: A Look Back at 2011 State Advocacy Initiatives “I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.” ~ Anonymous I n 2001, members, state component societies, and APMA and its State Advocacy program persevered in our collective efforts to attain parity for the profession. Because of the profession’s continued advocacy efforts in 2011, we are all closer to our goal. The APMA State Advocacy program and State Advocacy Committee have developed resources and training materials to assist state societies in their legislative advocacy efforts to obtain parity. The State Advocacy Forum, sponsored in part by Pfizer Inc, was held for the third time and focused on helping members build relationships with MD/DO colleagues and state legislators. More than 70 people attended the 2011 APMA State Advocacy Forum in April in Arlington, VA. This forum To obtain parity, the profession must demonstrate its value, and APMA State Advocacy has been committed to sharing the Thomson Reuters and Duke studies with as many policymakers and other decision-makers as possible. included case studies and discussion on best practices for advocating for the profession. Policy panels covered scope of practice and insurance discrimination. Laura Tosi, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who is a leader in her state and national orthopedic and medical societies, spoke about building relationships with MDs. Adam Ebbin, a pro-podiatry Virginia legislator, discussed developing grassroots relationships with legislators. To obtain parity, the profession must demonstrate its value, and APMA State Advocacy has been committed to sharing the Thomson Reuters and Duke studies with as many policymakers and other decision-makers as possible. To further assist states in their efforts, State Advocacy developed state-by-state fact sheets on the prevalence of diabetes, amputation rates, and health-care costs for diabetes per state. State components can use these fact sheets in their advocacy efforts in conjunction with the Thomson Reuters and Duke materials. So far, 16 states are using the Thomson Reuters study in 20 APMA News January 2012 their advocacy efforts. In addition, State Advocacy developed issue briefs and fact sheets on the Thomson Reuters and Duke studies. The issue briefs are intended to be used by state component representatives when speaking with policymakers, and they highlight the cost-saving measures care by podiatrists offers to patients. These materials are available at www. apma.org/podiatristvalue. To further promote the Thomson Reuters and Duke studies, State Advocacy attended the National Conference of State Legislatures with the Texas Podiatric Medical Association in San Antonio, TX, to meet with state legislators from across the country. State Advocacy shared the studies with state policymakers including associations representing insurance commissioners, Medicaid directors, state health commissioners, and governors, among others. Another State Advocacy Committee priority was developing resources to help states fight for fee parity. In early 2011, the State Advocacy Committee, in coordination with the Health Systems Committee, developed the Model Fee Parity Law Project. The project is intended to help state components understand fee discrimination laws and find appropriate solutions. The Model Fee Parity Law Project is available at www. apma.org/modelfeeparityproject. Scope of Practice The profession continues to advocate for a scope of practice commensurate with podiatrists’ education, training, and experience. In the past 15 years, the profession has come a long way. (See page 23.) Today, 44 states and the District of Columbia include treatment of the ankle in the scope of practice for podiatrists. Many state components are advocating actively to change their state’s scope and have been working diligently to update their scope of practice laws to reflect the capabilities of today’s podiatrist. While not all state components achieved their intended goals, each state made progress in the pursuit of parity. These continued efforts help educate policymakers and the public about the podiatric medical profession. The New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA) saw its scope bill pass the state senate, but the bill stalled in the state assembly. The chair of the committee of jurisdiction in the assembly declined to hold hearings or vote on any scope of practice bills—not just the bill for podiatrists. http://www.apma.org/podiatristvalue http://www.apma.org/podiatristvalue http://www.apma.org/workingforyou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1306&navItemNumber=665 http://www.apma.org/workingforyou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1306&navItemNumber=665

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - January 2012

APMA News - January 2012
President’s Message
Contents
APMA Celebrates its Centennial
APMA by the Decade: 1912–1921
Updated List of Seal Holders
Paving the Path to Parity: A Look Back at 2011 State Advocacy Initiatives
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: How Do Your Benefits Compare?
CAC-PIAC: The Only Constant in Health Care is Change
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Can They Really Do That?
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
CPME Update
APMA All Stars
Awards Nominations
In Short
Worthy of Note
Resolutions Submissions
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

APMA News - January 2012