FROM THE PRESIDENT
I ’ m Just a Bill , Sitting Here on Capitol Hill
BY SETH M . BARNES , MD , FACP AMS PRESIDENT , 2022-2023
Well , it ’ s that time of the year . The time of the year when the Arkansas legislative session begins . Perhaps some of you are old enough to remember the Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock cartoon skit involving a bill sitting on Capitol Hill and how legislative action is required to actually make a bill a law . ( For the younger physicians ….. Google it ).
It ’ s an interesting process whereby a bill actually becomes a law . It usually begins with a bill being introduced by a member of either the House or Senate and then committees debate the pros and cons of the bill . Once a bill leaves a committee with a favorable recommendation , it is hardly ever voted down or vetoed by the governor .
This is where the Arkansas Medical Society becomes very important . By developing relationships with our legislators , we are more effective to combat adverse legislation that ultimately affects the health and safety of our patients .
All politics are local and if you haven ’ t yet established a relationship with your local representatives , I encourage you to do so . A call or a conversation by a physician is significant as it allows us , the physician , to more effectively lobby our position on a whole host of issues ranging from insurance issues , to prior authorizations , to scope of practice issues , and many others .
HERE ARE JUST A FEW ISSUES THAT WILL AMS WILL BE WORKING ON IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION :
TACKLING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION .
You may have heard by now AMS is planning to support a bill which will help relieve some of the burdens associated with prior authorization . In short , the bill will allow a much easier means in dealing with PAs . The program essentially involves a method where if a physician has obtained several PAs without issues , then the burden to obtain future PAs will be relieved .
FIGHTING SCOPE CREEP .
Probably one of my favorite new terms . All of you are aware of other professions attempting to practice medicine without having to go to medical school . From chiropractors to pharmacist to physician extenders , this is an annual battle that will surely rear its head during the session .
So here we go - the legislative session has begun and these issues I ’ ve mentioned are on the horizon . Our success hinges on the relationships you can build with your local representative and senator , and I encourage you to reach out to them and establish yourself as a subject matter
SUPPORTING TELEHEALTH .
No doubt a great way to help tend to our patients is by telephone or video conferencing . More work is needed to extend the flexibility of telehealth for the better care of our patients .
REFORMING MEDICARE PAY .
This is a national incentive battling proposed Medicare pay cuts , which will be an ongoing debate mainly involving our federal representatives .
expert on medical issues . It ’ s a very powerful and simple act that has great potential for us to ensure safer , more efficient and better care of our patients .
I ’ m just a bill , sitting on Capitol Hill … ■
72 THE JOURNAL OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL SOCIETY