Bucks Montgomery Physician Spring 2021 - 18

QUARTERLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Legislative
Updates
Spring 2021

Stay up to date on PAMED's legislative priorities at www.pamedsoc.org/Advocacy.
The new legislative session is gathering some momentum
as both the Senate and House begin considering
legislative proposals. At present, most lawmakers
are focusing on COVID-19 vaccinations, budget
related matters, and possible election reforms.
As with any new legislative session, the Pennsylvania
Medical Society's (PAMED) focus is on securing the
reintroduction of legislation that failed to get across
the finish line in the last session and working to
educate new lawmakers on our legislative priorities.
Chief among those priorities is the reintroduction of prior
authorization reform proposals mentioned below. PAMED
has historically been the driving force on this issue, but has
welcomed the addition of a number of patient advocacy
organizations into our coalition. Organizations seeking
prior authorization and step therapy reforms now number
near 40. Patient engagement on this issue is critical.
We also continue to advocate for liability protections related
to physicians treating COVID-19 patients. PAMED is part
of a broad coalition of statewide organizations seeking
protection from lawsuits stemming from the pandemic.
A resolution on how best to address restrictive
covenants in physician employment contracts is also
being pursued. Rep. Toren Ecker (R-Adams) plans
to again reintroduce legislation aimed at protecting
patient access to physicians otherwise barred from
treating them as a result of contractual agreements.

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spring 2021

Although PAMED focuses its legislative efforts on issues that
have been identified as priorities, we continue to advocate
for the passage of other legislative " fixes " important to
our members. Among those issues are IMG licensing
parity, disclosing frivolous medical board complaints,
and the enactment of a statewide POLST program.
PAMED continues to oppose legislation that seeks to
expand the clinical practice of non-physician health care
providers, such as the reintroduction of SB 25, legislation
that would give independent practice authority to CRNPs.
These legislative issues require constant monitoring and
ultimately physician engagement. It is critically important
for physicians to " engage " when called to do so.
Legislators who have received phone calls from physicians
on issues affecting medical practice and patient care
consistently report the positive impact they have on their
decision making. Reaching out to your representatives should
not wait until there's a legislative crisis. Reach out to your
local lawmakers now and get to know them. Developing a
relationship when you don't have a specific " ask " is the key
to a lasting relationship. Physicians interested in getting more
involved in legislative and political grassroots should call
PAMED's Governmental Affairs staff at 800-228-7823.

Prior Authorization Reform (PAMED supports)
House Bill 225 (Mentzer)/Senate Bill 225 (Phillips-Hill) -
Prior authorization reform bills. There is a large coalition
with multiple provider entities and patient advocacy groups
seeking to make wholesale changes to the prior authorization
http://www.pamedsoc.org/Advocacy
Bucks Montgomery Physician Spring 2021

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