In KMA’s efforts to ensure patients have access to the care they deserve, the Association will focus its advocacy efforts on a number of important issues facing physicians and their patients in the 2016 legislative session. Here are the KMA legislative priorities for this legislative session, along with links to resources physicians can use in their discussions with legislators.
Legislation of Interest to Physicians
As the legislative session moves into its waning days, the focus is more keenly on the biennial state budget. A singular focus on the budget may make movement on many other bills slow at best. KMA continues to encourage members to reach out to legislators on our priority bills so they will be among the first bills to receive action after budget negotiations are over.
While KMA has targeted specific priority issues, we are also monitoring and speaking on behalf of physicians on other health care-related legislation. Click here to see other legislation of interest and the current status.
Tort Reform
KMA and its partners, such as the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, are coordinating efforts for meaningful tort reform in order to address Kentucky’s broken, imbalanced civil justice system.
Maintenance of Certification
KMA is continuing to promote action by state policymakers, as well as relevant national organizations, to address the effect of maintenance of certification, osteopathic continuous certification and maintenance of licensure principles on workforce, costs, access to care and quality improvement in patient care.
Fair & Transparent Contracting
In response to problematic business practices being utilized by some commercial insurers when contracting with physicians, KMA, along with the Greater Louisville Medical Society, is working with state legislators and other stakeholders to bring greater fairness and transparency to the contracting process.
Smoking
KMA is promoting improved public health by advocating for comprehensive, statewide smoke-free legislation and by working with state policymakers, media and public/private health insurers to push and publicize effective smoking cessation policies and programs.
[small][well]News article reposted from the Kentucky Medical Association page[/well][/small]
