Year: 2019
-
ALAPAC Hosts Successful Fundraiser for Charlotte Meadows
Last week, ALAPAC, at the home of Drs. Lori and Penn White, hosted a fundraiser for Charlotte Meadows. We are proud to say the event was an overwhelming success! As the political action committee of the Medical Association, ALAPAC seeks to elect candidates who best represent the professional needs of physicians and their patients. Charlotte…
-
Alabama Medicine Receives Third 2019 APEX Award
Alabama Medicine magazine has received its third international award for publication excellence. The APEX 2019 awards were based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success of the entry – in the opinion of the judges – in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence. With 1,278 entries were evaluated in this international competition, there…
-
Gov. Ivey Hosts Bill Signing Ceremony for MAT Act
Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey hosted a formal bill signing ceremony at the Alabama Capitol for this year’s Medication Assisted Treatment Act (“MAT Act”). Flanked by an array of both state and national leaders, the signing of this legislation represents another step Alabama is taking to combat the drug abuse epidemic and help those struggling with…
-
In Memoriam: John Kendall Black Jr., 1939-2019
Dr. John Kendall Black, Jr., 79, of Huntsville, passed away Wednesday. He was born on August 26, 1939, in Birmingham, Ala., the only son of John K. and Ruby W. Black. In fact, for 13 years, he was the only grandchild in the family. Dr. Black was educated at Central Park Elementary School and Ensley…
-
Help Us Address “Surprise Billing” Issues
Last week, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a legislative package (HR 3630) to address the ongoing “Surprise Billing” issues affecting patients and physicians. While this is not the same bill the Association and other medical societies were supporting, the committee did agree to adopt an amendment establishing an independent dispute resolution (IDR)…
-
Why I Give: Dr. John Meigs
As president of the Medical Association, I want to thank you for your membership in our organization. While membership is essential to our success, so too is advocacy. Past President Dr. Underwood recently said, “It’s amazing how politics can determine the direction of medicine.” He’s exactly right. Yet, instead of waiting until politicians are about…
-
ALAPAC Launches $75K in 75 Days Campaign
Earlier this month, ALAPAC kicked off its year-end fundraising campaign and is seeking to raise $75,000 in 75 days. As the official political action committee of Alabama physicians, ALAPAC provides financial and technical support to candidates medicine can work with on the myriad of health care issues affecting our state. It may not be a…
-
Call for Nominations: Senior Services Advisory Board
The Alabama Department of Senior Services has an advisory board, and one member of the board must be a representative of the medical profession appointed the Governor. The Senior Services Advisory Board typically meets twice annually and members are reimbursed for travel and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties. Interested…
-
Effective Nov. 18: Gabapentin Changed to Schedule V
On May 15, 2019, the Alabama State Committee of Public Health voted to change gabapentin to a Scheduled V medication, effective Nov. 18, 2019. The six-month implementation period was provided to allow time to implement the appropriate changes for a legend medication to move to a scheduled medication. These changes may include the following: software…
-
Employee vs. Independent Contractor: What’s the Difference and Why’s it Important?
If you are reading this article, then you likely own or administer a health care practice. It may include workers of many stripes: some may be treated as employees and others as independent contractors. But do you know why they are treated that way? If the IRS or the Alabama Department of Revenue audits your…