Alliance Storms the Capitol to Lobby for Medicine
A small, but determined and dedicated group of Alliance Advocates arrived in Jefferson City on Feb. 23 to lobby for medicine.
Members assembled at the Doubletree Hotel for a quick lunch and late morning briefing by MSMA Alliance Liaison Liz Fleenor and MSMA Alliance president Jackie Remis. They heard the agenda for the day and the bills to be promoted during the afternoon visit to the Capitol building. The meeting was organized by Anne Turnbaugh, MSMA Alliance Vice President for Legislation.
MSMA lobbyist Tom Holloway prepared a handout and a printed flier was available outlining the most pressing bills that needed Alliance attention. These included the Prompt Pay Bill (SB 636 and HB 1498.) These bills seek to resolve the financial crisis facing many physicians, hospitals and surgery centers whose claims are not paid in a timely or accurate manner by insurance companies. Physicians have to pay salaries and overhead like any other business, and are entitled to receive prompt payment for services already provided.
Two other bills were to be promoted, both sponsored by Dr. Wayne Cooper, Camdenton. One was the Expedited Partner Therapy Bill (HB 1375) that would help treat STDs; chlamydia and gonorrhea being the most prevalent. By sending home appropriate drugs for the sexual partner, it is hoped that these diseases will be prevented or curbed. The main objection to this bill is that a physician cannot currently prescribe or administer a drug without first examining a patient. This bill would make an exception, much like the Good Samaritan law.
The other bill sponsored by Dr. Cooper was HB 1822, a bill to regulate tanning salons. This sounds trivial at first, until it is determined that no regulation currently takes place in Missouri, and even minors can frequent tanning booths without parental permission. This bill would not ban tanning, but seek to supervise and regulate it.
The office of Rep. Rob Schaaf [R] kindly extended an invitation for his office to be used as the base of operations for the afternoon visits to legislators. Tom Holloway caught up with members there and, with great delight, gave the news that the Prompt Pay Bill had made it through the Rules Committee and was on its way to the House. He urged members to ask legislators to vote for it. Dr. Schaaf arrived during the discussion and greeted members. He is a great supporter of medicine in Missouri and has sponsored a large number of bills favorable to medicine.
Members next visited Rep. Rachel Storch [D] of St. Louis. Sue Ann Greco had made contact in advance and an invitation was extended to visit her. Rep. Storch is also a great supporter of many medical bills and she gave a thorough overview of the bills being considered.
Armed with fliers stating the Alliance message and listing the relevant bills, the band of Advocates split up onto three floors and visited as many legislators as possible. Many legislators were in committee hearings but those that were available were gracious in giving their time and most members reported extremely positive interactions
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After a busy afternoon, the Advocates dined back at the hotel and discussed the results of the afternoon. The following morning’s board meeting was well organized and business was covered quickly. Convention planning and its finances were discussed.
Much discussion took place regarding the structure of the Nominating Committee. The concern is finding qualified members to serve on it who might not also be up for nomination as an officer or committee chair. Members can only serve in alternate years, and cannot run for office if they are on the committee. Any modifications would involve a bylaws change. This problem was tabled for discussion at convention.
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