SLMMS Council Sets 2015 Legislative Priorities
SLMMS 2015 Legislative Priorities
The SLMMS Council has identified the top priorities for the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society (SLMMS) for the upcoming 2015 legislative session:
Tort Reform – SLMMS supports the position of the Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA) to create a statutory cause of action for medical malpractice claims and reinstate the non-economic damage cap to $350,000. There is no limit under current Missouri law.
Medicaid Transformation – MSMA and SLMMS support expansion of the Medicaid program, but oppose a proposal to expand the managed care model statewide while only allowing three current insurance contractors to participate under a capitated model.
APRN Scope of Practice/Collaborative Practice – MSMA is against a proposal that would allow the Board of Nursing to issue a separate license for APRNs, and create a statutory scope of practice for them as the legislation would change the collaborative practice rules currently in place.
Physician Malpractice Tail Coverage – Last year, SLMMS introduced a resolution seeking to explore possible solutions for physicians who want to continue to practice and/or volunteer without voiding their free tail coverage.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program – SLMMS solidly supports legislation to develop a patient prescription drug monitoring program giving licensed prescribers the option to monitor and minimize drug abuse by patients that can lead to untoward outcomes.
Non-physician disclosure – SLMMS has authored a resolution that calls for all health care providers to be required to clearly and accurately identify themselves and their professional licensure in any and all communication with patients.
Opposition to Mandatory Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and Maintenance of Licensure (MOL) – SLMMS members are opposed to mandatory Maintenance of Certification (MOC), acknowledging the cost and time commitments of MOC, and affirm the professionalism of physicians to best determine the means for maintaining their skills; SLMMS also stands opposed to Maintenance of Licensure (MOL) and that the lack of specialty board certification should not restrict the ability of the physician to practice in Missouri, and opposes any efforts to the require the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) maintenance of licensure program as a condition of medical licensure.
Opposition to Narrower Provider Networks – SLMMS seeks legislation that will prohibit insurance companies in Missouri from terminating physicians from provider networks without cause.
Truth in Medical Advertising – SLMMS seeks to sponsor a resolution calling for truth in medical advertising requiring fact-based claims that advertised services improve patient care and outcomes.
