Many physicians spend their time being “ on-call ” – ready to assist their patients as needed , especially in an emergency or critical situation . The # 1 job of the Arkansas Medical Society is advocacy , and with the convening of the 94th General Assembly this month , it ’ s “ on-call ” time for the Arkansas Medical Society as they work to protect the interests of Arkansas physicians and their patients . But they can ’ t do it alone . It will take medicine-friendly legislators AND physicians alike to come together to make sure that physicians are top-of-mind at the state Capitol .
ARKANSAS ALLIES FOR THE HOUSE OF MEDICINE
As the Session gets underway , AMS is excited to continue to have allies in the legislature in the form of medicineminded lawmakers . In both the senate and the house of representatives , those with ties to the Society and those who understand its mission are invaluable .
Providing strong support in the state Senate is long-time friend of the Society , Sen . Missy Irvin , who is stepping into the role of chair of the Public Health Committee . “ We ’ re fortunate to have Sen . Missy Irvin back on the Public Health Committee and serving this year as chair . She was not on the committee last session , and her presence was missed . She has so much knowledge about medical issues and an incredible passion for the patients and physicians of Arkansas ,” said Scott Smith , AMS director of governmental affairs .
Other key legislators who are back this session include Sen . Jonathan Dismang , Rep . Deborah Ferguson , DDS , Rep . Lee Johnson , MD , and Rep . Steve Magie , MD , who continues to serve in the House after a very close election . “ It was a Iandslide victory ,” joked Dr . Magie , who won by just 10 votes . “ Without the support of the physician and medical community , I could not have done it .”
Unfortunately , one of the Society ’ s biggest supporters will not be back this session . Sen . Cecile Bledsoe , who has been term limited , has made a profound impact on behalf of Arkansas physicians . David Wroten , AMS executive vice president , commented on the many years of service by Sen . Bledsoe . “ We ’ re losing someone who has been the longest-serving friend we ’ ve had to date in Cecile Bledsoe , Dr . Jim Bledsoe ’ s wife and Drs . Greg and Sam Bledsoe ’ s mother ,” he said . “ We ’ ve never had stronger support for physicians , for medicine , and for the Society . We thank her and wish her well in this new chapter .”
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
With help from these legislators , AMS has already been hard at work preparing for bills that will affect Arkansas physicians most . According to Wroten and Smith , some of the important things coming up include legislation in support of a prior authorization gold card and clean-up legislation concerning both the Corporate Practice of Medicine Act and the Patient Right to Know Act . “ These bills are drafted and ready to go . We will need members on call ready to help us support these issues ,” said Wroten .
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION GOLD CARD
Issue number one this session will be an AMS-supported bill establishing a prior authorization gold card , an issue that has been around for a few years . Currently , prior authorization requires asking for permission from the insurance company to proceed with a procedure or treatment that the physician has prescribed . Prior authorization requests are generally approved , so having to complete them frequently slows the process of providing care and makes things more difficult for physicians and their office staff .
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it ’ s “ on-call ” time for the Arkansas Medical Society as they work to protect the interests of Arkansas physicians and their patients .
WINTER 2023 | VOLUME 119 | NUMBER 3 75