Here are the five issues:
1. Medicaid. The following state associations will be advocating for responsible Medicaid reforms through ACOs:
• Alabama
• Delaware
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
The associations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada and Kentucky are working on delivery system reform incentive payments. Medicare is threatened in several other states as well due to budgetary shortfalls that would reduce funding.
2. Opioids. Physicians across the country are working to reduce opioid misuse and overdose to address a national epidemic of overdose-related deaths. The legislation focuses on prescription drug monitoring programs, patient education, substance-use disorder treatment and restrictions on controlled substance prescription in addition to creating guidelines.
3. Physician-led, team-based care. There were 450 scope-of-practice bills introduced last year with some addressing physician-led, team-based care. Many states are considering AMA model state legislation.
4. Provider networks. State medical societies across the country are preparing to address out-of-network billing proposals this year as well as proposals addressing the adequacy of provider networks.
5. Public health. Iowa, Indiana, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and others are looking to raise the minimum purchasing tobacco age to 21 while others, like Missouri, seek to ban texting while driving. Other population health issues targeted in states across the country include:
• Diabetes prevention
• Cardiovascular disease
• Infectious disease prevention
• Obesity
• Student athlete concussion laws
• Women’s reproductive rights
• Tanning restrictions for minors
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