Archive for June, 2020

Discussions with Decisionmakers: Rep. Paul Lee

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Discussions with Decisionmakers: Rep. Paul Lee

Get to Know Representative Paul Lee

Please tell us a little bit about yourself – Primary occupation? Interests? Hobbies?

I am the currently Executive Director of the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center, which is located on a 26-acre campus in Dothan and hosts over 200 employees. At Wiregrass Rehab, we work to assist individuals in securing employment, overcoming vocational barriers and achieving personal independence. I am extremely proud to say that our operations have grown tremendously, and we now serve over thirty counties across three states.

When I have time away from my two jobs (State Representative and Wiregrass Rehab), I enjoy fishing, golfing, and bird hunting.

What first prompted you to consider running for your House District seat?

Prior to being elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, I served as a City Commissioner in Dothan. It was during my second term that I realized how important our legislative delegation was and the impact that the state legislature can have on our district. So, I decided to give up my seat as City Commissioner and run for the House of Representatives in hopes of making a greater impact to my community. 

How do you believe your background and experiences help you serve in the legislature?

My background has tremendously helped me in my capacity as a state representative. Before my position with Wiregrass Rehab, I worked for 31 years in manufacturing with Sony. That experience is more relevant now than ever, as it furthers my belief that we need to invest in the production of goods and services here at home and not be so heavily reliant on other countries – whether it be related to healthcare or virtually anything. Additionally, the experience I gained while serving on the board of one of our local hospitals (along with my wife working in medical management) has vastly helped me in my position as Chairman of the House Health Committee.

As chairman of the House Health Committee, what will some of your priorities be in the next legislative session?

Mental health will be a major priority in the coming years. There are far too many caregivers who cannot care for and maintain the needs of those they serve.

We must find a way to save our local hospitals, pharmacies and physician practices. The closures of local healthcare facilities have a negative impact on the entire community and drives up the costs of services and drugs.

What are some health-related issues important to your district and your constituents?

Expanding broadband access to rural Alabama so that those individuals can take advantage of telehealth services. The pandemic has shown how useful this resource can be, and we need to do everything we can to ensure all Alabamians are able to reap its benefits and received needed care.

If you could change anything about our state’s health care system, what would it be?

Of course, there are many issues that need attention and must be addressed. However, I believe it is vital to look at ways to expand access to affordable care. Also, we need to maintain appropriate reimbursement rates for physicians and hospitals. Too many Alabamians are left without healthcare services, and too many providers are not compensated fairly for those services. 

How can the Medical Association – and physicians statewide – help address Alabama’s health challenges?

We need new ideas to reform and expand primary care. Access to primary care is critical in preventing more serious disease complications; which, in turn, saves the entire healthcare system money.

What is the one thing you would like to say to physicians in your district?

I am grateful for the physicians in our district and have the highest degree of admiration and respect for them.  We are fortunate in Houston County to have access to many specialties. Over 500K people from 3 states come to our area for healthcare.

I am not sure they could ever adequately train and prepare for the current situation with COVID-19. Our physicians have stepped up and done more with less. In my district, we have many great physicians who are also effective leaders and fulfill their role effectively. I have the utmost confidence in our physicians.

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ALAPAC Announces Support for Carl, Coleman in Congressional Races

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ALAPAC Announces Support for Carl, Coleman in Congressional Races

The all-physician board of the Alabama Medical PAC, ALAPAC, voted recently to support several candidates in their bids for federal office:

  • In Alabama’s First Congressional District, the ALAPAC Board voted to support Jerry Carl.
  • In Alabama’s Second Congressional District, the ALAPAC Board voted to support Jeff Coleman.

The ALAPAC Board considers many factors in making campaign support decisions, including candidate-vetting meetings with ALAPAC staff and board members, electronic surveys of ALAPAC contributors, third-party polling data and outreach from local physician ALAPAC contributors voicing support. Regarding ALAPAC support for Carl and Coleman, ALAPAC Board Chairman David Herrick, M.D. noted a significant factor in both races was outreach from local physicians.

“These candidates have built relationships with physicians in their local communities and a number of those physicians reached out to ALAPAC and asked for support for both Jerry Carl and Jeff Coleman,” Dr. Herrick said. “That’s a key element in ALAPAC’s decision making process in races where there is no incumbent with a voting record that we can look at and examine to see how they voted on the issues medicine believes are important.”

The runoffs for both Congressional District 1 and 2 are Tuesday, July 14. At this point, election officials indicate polling places will be open as usual, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Be on the lookout for emails from ALAPAC as that date nears with additional information on voting resources.

Board also suspends 2020 summer fundraising efforts amid COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its negative financial effects on physicians and medical practices of all specialties statewide, ALAPAC is suspending its usual “summer shortfall” fundraising drive and instead focusing board and staff energies in the coming months to revamping ALAPAC into a more specialty-focused and locally-driven political action committee.

“At the same time we are spending money to support candidates in Congressional Districts 1 and 2, we have also had to make the tough decision to suspend our traditional summer fundraising drive, which will ultimately result in fewer funds raised in the short term. Given the current status of COVID and practices’ financial challenges, it seems like the right decision. However, the Board and I are convinced the new approach and restructuring efforts we are planning will serve as a better long-term investment for ALAPAC,” Dr. Herrick said.

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Advocacy Efforts During COVID-19

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Advocacy Efforts During COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 has affected nearly all aspects of our daily lives. For the Medical Association’s efforts in protecting physicians and patients, this was also true. Nonetheless, between March 13 (when Gov. Ivey issued the COVID-19 state of emergency) and mid-May, our advocacy work continued in full-force.

Executive Actions & Proposals

  • Worked with various stakeholders and Governor Ivey to secure liability protections via an Executive Order for physicians, their staff and their practices against frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits (summary available here);
  • Successfully advocated against multiple dangerous scope of practice expansions proposed by both state and national organizations. Among other things, these proposals would have (1) eliminated physician supervision and destroyed the team-based care model; (2) granted CRNAs the ability to prescribe controlled substances; and (3) allowed pharmacists to switch a patient’s drugs without prescriber authorization and without any requirement to notify to the prescriber or the patient; and
  • Successfully advocated against a proposal to give out-of-state telehealth corporations special treatment that physicians currently living, working, and paying taxes in Alabama do not enjoy.

Telehealth Payment Parity

  • As one of our longstanding priorities (payment parity between in-person visits and telehealth services), we were proud to see reimbursement rates addressed and the policy of parity come to fruition.

Miss our 2020 Legislative Recap, What if No One was on Call? Click here for the annual rundown.

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Medical Association Recognizes Racism as a Threat to Public Health

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Medical Association Recognizes Racism as a Threat to Public Health

At the most recent Board of Censors meeting, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama pledged to recognize and confront racism and racial inequalities within our society and the healthcare system. The Medical Association further recognizes the need to end systemic racism in our country and to work towards a better, fairer, and more just society. 

The Medical Association released the following statement following their meeting last week:

  • The Medical Association opposes all forms of racism
  • The Medical Association considers racism a public health crisis and a threat to public health
  • The Medical Association understands the elimination of health disparities will not be achieved without first acknowledging the contributions of all races to health and social inequalities
  • The Medical Association understands that we have a responsibility to actively work to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices across all of healthcare
  • The Medical Association supports ending racial discrimination in medical care and the equitable access to quality health care services
  • The Medical Association encourages current and future physicians to be advocates for justice

We recognize that worsening inequities, unequal access to care, and the racial disparities of practicing physicians all have roots in systemic racism and must be confronted. The Medical Association of the State of Alabama understands that there is still tremendous work to be done to ensure that everyone has the opportunity, resources, and conditions to achieve optimal health. The Medical Association is committed to being a part of that solution.

Sincerely,

President John S. Meigs, MD and Board of Censors

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Provider Relief Fund Update

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Provider Relief Fund Update

Last week, HHS launched an application portal to distribute $15 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Fund payments to eligible Medicaid and CHIP physicians and organizations. The payment will be at least 2 percent of reported gross revenue from patient care, and the final amount will be determined based on submitted data, including the number of Medicaid patients served. Eligible physicians and organizations have until July 20, 2020, to submit their application and report other necessary information, such as annual patient revenue data.

HHS is hosting two webcasts at 2 pm EST on Tuesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 25 for physicians and other health care professionals who are interested in learning more about the application process. Registration is required.  

Please find answers to two relevant questions posted in the FAQs on June 12, 2020.

Q: Why is there a new Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal?

A:  Portal will initially be used for new submissions from Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers seeking payments under the Provider Relief Fund starting Wednesday, June 10, 2020. At this time, this portal will serve as the point of entry for providers who have received Medicaid and CHIP payments in 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020 and who have not already received any payments from the $50 billion Provider Relief Fund General Distribution.

Q: What is the difference between the first Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal and the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal for the Medicaid Targeted Distribution?

A: The first Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal was used for providers who received a General Distribution payment prior to Friday, April 24th. These providers were required to submit financial information in order to receive approximately 2% of gross revenues derived from patient care.

HHS has developed the new Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal for providers who did not receive payments under the previous General Distribution, including those providers who bill Medicaid and CHIP (e.g., pediatricians, long-term care, and behavioral health providers.)

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