2020 Legislative Agenda

General Policies Supported by the Association

The Medical Association supports the physician-led health team model and maintaining the highest standards for medical care delivery across all specialties of medicine.  The Association supports physician autonomy in patient care and medical practice decisions as well as fair reimbursement for services.  The Association supports reducing the administrative tasks required of physicians by insurers, which increase annual health spending nationwide by more than $250 billion.  As well, the Association supports increasing health insurance options for Alabamians, including expanding Medicaid.  By ensuring medical liability environment stability and pursuing further civil justice reforms, the Association believes Alabama can continue to attract highly-qualified physicians. 

Specific Legislative Policies Supported

  • Line-item funding for the Maternal Mortality Review Committee under the Alabama Department of Public Health, in order to timely review maternal deaths and identify opportunities at the state level for reducing their number
  • Legislation prohibiting deceptive health care advertising and requiring all health care professionals to clearly identify their type of license to patients
  • Reforming the “certificate of need” process to increase physician ownership of equipment and facilities and expand access to quality, affordable care
  • The recommendations of the Rural Health Taskforce, including increased funding for the Board of Medical Scholarship Awards and broadening the rural physician tax credit, to name a few
  • Requirements for vaccine registry review prior to administration and uploading patient vaccine information into the database
  • Continued physician compounding, dispensing of drugs
  • The same standards and reimbursements for telehealth and face-to-face visits

General Policies Opposed by the Association

The Medical Association opposes any scope of practice expansion for non-physicians which could lower quality of care for or increase the cost of care for patients.  The Association opposes legislation or other initiatives that could increase lawsuit opportunities against physicians, including the statutory establishment of standards for medical care delivery.  The Association opposes tax increases disproportionately affecting physicians and any state-level increase of requirements for Maintenance of Certification.

Specific Legislative Policies Opposed

  • Expanding Prescription Drug Monitoring Program access for law enforcement
  • Statutory requirements for mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program checks
  • Changes to workers’ compensation laws negatively affecting treatment of injured workers and medical practices