State Legislative Advocacy for Family Medicine
The PAFP advocates on state government matters of importance on behalf of its members and the patients they serve. For information and updates, please join our Governmental & Practice Advocacy Committee group on PAFP Connect, or advocate online on specific topics via SpeakOut (below).
Governmental & Practice Advocacy Committee
This committee guides our policy positions on health care legislation and regulations. For PAFP members interested in joining please visit our PAFP Leadership page.
SpeakOut
The PAFP uses SpeakOut, an advocacy tool developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, to distribute Advocacy Alerts to members as needed. Click here for more information on how this advocacy tool works. Watch this page for future SpeakOut campaigns.
One of the ways primary care professionals can effect change is to personally engage those individuals who write and pass legislation on the state level. Physicians and medical students are well-respected members of the community and having their voices heard makes a difference. The PAFP has put together a brief primer to help you get involved.
PAFP 2019-20 State Legislative Agenda - (Updated March 19, 2019)
Prior Authorization Reform
Prior authorizations have become significantly
burdensome to family physicians, and more importantly result in delays and
jeopardized quality care to patients.
The PAFP supports reforms that would maximize electronic communications for
authorizations as well as adverse determinations, and define consistent
response times for authorizations, rejections, appeals, and external
utilization review. PAFP is working with Pennsylvania Medical Society and many
stakeholders preparing for introduction of legislation.
Nurse Practitioner Independence
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are integral, valuable members of the health
care team, held in the highest regard by family physicians. However, patients
are best served when a physician-led, highly coordinated health care team
provides care. Therefore, the PAFP opposes
legislation that would expand their scope of practice and eliminate
collaborative agreements. Sen. Bartolotta has introduced Senate Bill 25, while Rep. Topper is circulating a cosponsorship memo in
the House, HCO 854.
Health Insurer Credentialing Reform
Delays in credentialing of new physicians or existing
physicians changing practices create undo hardships most notably on the
communities they serve. The PAFP
supports legislation that would standardize the credentialing form and set
processing standards. Rep. Owlett has
introduced House Bill 533 seeking to codify significant reforms. The bill is in the House Health Committee.
Buprenorphine Medically Assisted Treatment Act
Access to care for
patients suffering from substance abuse disorder is critical, and state
regulation could significantly jeopardize access to office based opioid
treatment (OBOT). The PAFP opposes
legislation that would require prescribers of Buprenorphine to be licensed by
the state and pay any state licensing fee.
Sen. Brooks is circulating a cosponsorship memo, SCO 597.
Direct Primary Care Authorizing Legislation
DPC is a model of care outside the bounds of health insurance and an emerging option for patients and physicians. The PAFP supports legislation that specifies direct primary care agreements are not insurance and therefore not subject to insurance laws or regulations. We anticipate Sen. Browne and Rep. MacKenzie will be introducing legislation.
Restrictive Covenants
In this age of health system
consolidations, PAFP supports legislation limiting restrictive covenants in
health care practitioner employment agreements. Rep. Deluca has introduced House Bill 601 that rests in the House Health Committee.
POLST Legislation
Working with the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the PAFP supports updating and revising Pennsylvania law to include codification of Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to be used by medical professionals across all health care settings for patients who voluntarily wish to execute a POLST order. Sen. Yaw has introduced SB 142 that has been assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
The PAFP supports legislation that requires employers to provide employees time to express breast milk in a sanitary environment for her nursing child. Rep. Mary Jo Daley is circulating a cosponsorship memo HCO 250.
Expanding Pharmacy Vaccinations to Minors
The PAFP opposes legislation that would amend the Pharmacy Practice Act and allow for pharmacist to administer all CDC recommended vaccinations to patients 9 years of age or older. As part of a compromise several years ago, pharmacist obtained the ability to provide influenza vaccine to those 9 and older. Sen. Judy Ward has introduced SB 274 that rests in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
> Download PDF - PAFP 2019-20 State Legislative Agenda
PAFP’s State Legislative Agenda is crafted through the Government and Practice Advocacy Committee with position decisions made by the Board of Directors.
Questions/Comments? Please contact Brent Ennis, PAFP Deputy EVP/COO and State-Registered Lobbyist at bennis@pafp.com.
