2004 Legislative Agenda

MALPRACTICE REFORM: MedChi will fight to instill discipline and predictability in the out of control tort system by forming a broad coalition of health, community and business groups to push for a package of sensible tort reforms including:

	A reform of the present Maryland cap on non-economic (“pain and suffering”) damages;
	A reform of economic damage calculations to insure that future health costs and future lost wages are calculated on an actually reimbursed and after tax basis;
	Structured settlement requirements to insure that injured patients are reimbursed over the length of their claims as opposed to a lump sum basis;
	A reform of attorney contingent fees to insure that injured patients, not attorneys, receive the maximum benefit of any awards;
	Maintaining Maryland’s rule of contributory negligence.

MEDICAID AND THE UNINSURED: MedChi will continue its efforts to protect the integrity of the Medicaid program with respect to eligibility, benefits and funding and will continue to advocate for increased access to appropriate care for all Maryland citizens regardless of coverage or ability to pay.

PUBLIC HEALTH: MedChi will advocate for continued improvements in Maryland’s public health agenda including:

	PREVENTING OBESITY: The establishment of a statewide advisory council on obesity to provide advice and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly with respect to obesity.
	SMOKING CESSATION: Promote proposals to discourage tobacco related injury and death.

HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM: MedChi will continue its efforts at health insurance reform including:

UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Insure that health insurance ID cards have a uniform format, including, but not limited to, information identifying the coverage as HMO, PPO, POS or employer self-funded plan.

MEDICARE SECONDARY COVERAGE: MedChi will work legislatively to: (1) require carriers to disclose to enrollees the carrier’s reimbursement policies when the carrier's coverage is secondary coverage to another commercial carrier or to Medicare, including responsibility coverage for deductibles and copayments; and (2) to amend Maryland's balance billing law to clarify a physician's right to collect applicable Medicare copayments and deductibles when the HMO is secondary.

SCOPE OF MEDICAL PRACTICE: MedChi will fight to assure that only physicians practice medicine and that non-physician practice is consistent with appropriate training and physician oversight.

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