2006 Legislative Initiatives

Read Our One-Page Issue Briefs:

bulletSupport Reform of Unfair Health Plan Business Practices
bulletPass Strong and Effective Medical Liability Reform
bulletUnfair, anti-competitive health plan practices cause shortage of physicians, hassle patients & doctors
bulletKeep Hearings & Physician Rehabilitation Fair
bulletRebalancing HMO-Physician Negotiating Power
bulletPursuing Further Medical Liability Reform
bulletGive Us Your Examples of HMO Payment Abuses
bulletKeep HMOs Out of Workers' Comp. Payment

2006 Legislative Agenda

PHYSICIAN PAYMENT REFORm:  maryland physician reimbursements fall below the 25th percentile nationally, according to the Maryland Health Care Commission. MedChi will work to improve the reimbursement climate for Maryland physicians with multiple initiatives including:

bullet

Change current law to improve the monetary benchmark for an HMO’s calculation of its required payment to a non-participating physician;

bulletLegislation to require insurance carriers to recognize patient assignment of benefits to out-of-network providers;
bulletChanges in the credentialing process to assure timely credentialing and reimbursement during the credentialing period;
bulletLegal clarification of the current “cramdown law” which, MedChi believes, allows a physician to participate in a particular insurance product without being required to take “all products” offered by a carrier.   A legislative correction of the law will be pursued if legal clarification is unsuccessful;
bulletRequire network adequacy for HMOs and MCOs.

 PUBLIC HEALTH:  MedChi will advocate for continued improvements in Maryland’s public health agenda including proposals to discourage tobacco use and funding for access for the growing number of uninsured.  MedChi believes that two critical issues are the passage of (1) the Clean Indoor Air Act and (2) an increase of $1.00 per-pack in the cigarette tax.

Medical liability Reform:  MedChi will continue to work for liability reform with a two-pronged approach:

bullet

Short-term, common-sense reforms focusing on structured settlements, a more effective apology law and Good Samaritan immunity for doctors working in an emergency situation;

bulletLong term focus on a redesign of the liability system in Maryland, such as Common Good’s health courts proposal (www.cgood.org).

 WORKERS’ COMP:  MedChi will work legislatively to make it clear that a physician providing workers’ compensation care may not be reimbursed at a rate lower than the mandated fee schedule.

MEDICAID AND THE UNINSURED:  MedChi will continue to protect the integrity of the Medicaid program with respect to eligibility and benefits and will continue to advocate for increased access to appropriate care for all Maryland citizens regardless of coverage or ability to pay.  We consider an increase in the tobacco tax the best manner to achieve that goal.

BOARD OF PHYSICIAN SUNSET REVIEW:  MedChi will work to assure that the comprehensive legislation dealing with the Board of Physicians will result in increased efficiency and cost effectiveness of the Board with the proper protection of physician’s rights in the disciplinary process.

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.  

2005 Legislative Agenda

2004 Legislative Agenda

Back To Top