Chester County Medicine Spring 2021 - 28

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Pennsylvania Medical Society
Quarterly Legislative Update
2021-2022 Legislative Session:
Legislative Activity
The new legislative session is gathering some momentum
as both the Senate and House begin considering legislative
proposals. At present, most lawmakers are focusing on COVID-19
vaccinations, budget related matters, and possible election reforms.
As with any new legislative session, the Pennsylvania Medical
Society's (PAMED) focus is on securing the reintroduction
of legislation that failed to get across the finish line in the last
session and working to educate new lawmakers on our legislative
priorities.
Chief among those priorities is the reintroduction of prior
authorization reform proposals mentioned below. PAMED has
historically been the driving force on this issue, but has welcomed
the addition of a number of patient advocacy organizations into
our coalition. Organizations seeking prior authorization and step
therapy reforms now number near 40. Patient engagement on this
issue is critical.
We also continue to advocate for liability protections related
to physicians treating COVID-19 patients. PAMED is part of a
broad coalition of statewide organizations seeking protection from
lawsuits stemming from the pandemic.
A resolution on how best to address restrictive covenants in
physician employment contracts is also being pursued. Rep. Toren
Ecker (R-Adams) plans to again reintroduce legislation aimed
at protecting patient access to physicians otherwise barred from
treating them as a result of contractual agreements.

28 CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine | SPRING 2021

Although PAMED focuses its legislative efforts on issues that
have been identified as priorities, we continue to advocate for
the passage of other legislative " fixes " important to our members.
Among those issues are IMG licensing parity, disclosing frivolous
medical board complaints, and the enactment of a statewide
POLST program.
PAMED continues to oppose legislation that seeks to expand
the clinical practice of non-physician health care providers,
such as the reintroduction of SB 25, legislation that would give
independent practice authority to CRNPs.
These legislative issues require constant monitoring and
ultimately physician engagement. It is critically important for
physicians to " engage " when called to do so.
Legislators who have received phone calls from physicians
on issues affecting medical practice and patient care consistently
report the positive impact they have on their decision making.
Reaching out to your representatives should not wait until there's
a legislative crisis. Reach out to your local lawmakers now and
get to know them. Developing a relationship when you don't
have a specific " ask " is the key to a lasting relationship. Physicians
interested in getting more involved in legislative and political
grassroots should call PAMED's Governmental Affairs staff at
800-228-7823.
http://www.chestercms.org
Chester County Medicine Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chester County Medicine Spring 2021
