DCH supports increase in Medicaid PC/OB-GYN budget
The Georgia House and Senate were adjourned this week as lawmakers held joint appropriations meetings to discuss the FY 2017 and FY 2018 budgets. 
According to Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) Government Relations Director Derek Norton, the week’s most important development was the Georgia Department of Community Health’s (DCH) decision to support Gov. Nathan Deal’s recommendation to increase the Medicaid primary care and OB-GYN codes budget for FY 2018 by $17.9 million. 
“Medicaid payment parity is one of MAG’s legislative priorities for 2017,” says Norton. “So the DCH recommendation really demonstrates that MAG has already enjoyed a lot of success in the advocacy arena in 2017.”  
Don’t forget to register for next week’s ‘Physicians' Day at the Capitol’
The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) is reminding its members to register for the 2017 Georgia 'Physicians' Day at the Capitol,' which will take place at the State Capitol in Atlanta from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Wednesday, January 25.
“This is a unique opportunity for physicians in every specialty and practice setting to deliver some critical messages to state lawmakers – who are now considering legislation that will have a profound effect on the medical profession in Georgia – in a very unified and powerful way,” says MAG President Steven M. Walsh, M.D. 
The schedule of events will include…
– A continental breakfast in Room 230 at the Capitol at 8 a.m. 
– An orientation and legislative briefing in Room 230 at 8:30 a.m. 
– A group photo with Gov. Nathan Deal (contingent on his availability) in the rotunda in the North Wing of the Capitol at 10 a.m. 
– Physicians will meet with legislators as soon as the group photo is taken until about 11:45 a.m. 
– Physicians and legislators will enjoy a plated lunch in the Floyd Room on the 20th floor of the Sloppy Floyd Building – which is a short walk from the Capitol – as soon as the General Assembly adjourns
The event is expected to end at about 2 p.m.   
Physicians are encouraged to wear their white lab coats. 
In addition to MAG, the event is being sponsored by Resurgens Orthopaedics, the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology, the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association, the Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists, the Georgia Orthopedic Society, the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, and the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. 
Contact Bethany Sherrer at bsherrer@mag.org or 404.354.1863 with questions.
Click to register for ‘Physicians’ Day at the Capitol’ 
Click for directions to State Capitol
Click for parking details
‘Top Docs’ show on MAG’s legislative goals now online
A recording of a recent Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) ‘Top Docs Radio’ show that addressed MAG’s goals for the 2017 state legislative session is now available online. The show featured MAG President Steven M. Walsh, M.D. and MAG Executive Director Donald J. Palmisano Jr.
MAG sponsors the ‘Top Docs’ program at 12 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Between downloads and live listeners, MAG's ‘Top Docs’ show has reached more than 8,500 listeners – which includes people in all 50 states and 84 countries.
MAG’s ‘Top Docs Radio’ show is supported with a grant from Health Care Research, a subsidiary of Alliant Health Solutions.
Click to listen to ‘Top Docs Radio’ show recording
Georgia House HHS chair to appear on MAG’s ‘Top Docs’ show
Georgia Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) – the chair of the Georgia House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committee – will discuss the 2017 legislative session and her views on the state’s health care system when she appears on the Medical Association of Georgia’s (MAG) ‘Top Docs Radio’ program on the Business Radio-X Network at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24. 
Rep. Cooper has sponsored key legislation that has been enacted in Georgia, including an HIV screening bill for pregnant women, the Georgia’s Smoke Free Air Act, and the Health Share Volunteers in Medicine Act.
It is also worth noting that she was married to the late Tom Cooper, M.D., who co-founded MAG’s ‘Doctor of the Day’ program at the State Capitol. MAG ‘Doctor of the Day’ volunteers provide free minor medical care for legislators and their staff in MAG’s Medical Aid Station at the State Capitol during the legislative session each year.
Click to listen to ‘Top Docs Radio’
MAG’s 2017 state legislative priorities 
The Medical Association of Georgia’s priorities for the 2017 state legislative session include…
Out-of-Network Billing & Network Adequacy
MAG will 1) support reforms that will require appropriate network adequacy standards for health insurers and 2) call for health insurers to be more transparent in their contracts with physicians’ practices and 3) support legislation that will result in physician payment methodologies that are adequate and sustainable for out-of-network emergency care.  
Medicaid Payment Parity
MAG will be an advocate for the General Assembly to continue to fund the Medicaid parity payment program for all areas of primary care.
Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
MAG will 1) work to ensure that Maintenance of Certification is not a condition of licensure or a condition of hospital credentialing and 2) support efforts that will alleviate the costly and burdensome aspects of MOC for physicians.
Patient Safety
MAG will be an advocate for legislation that improves patient safety.
Contact MAG Government Relations Director Derek Norton at dnorton@mag.org or 678.303.9280 with questions related to MAG’s legislative priorities for 2017. 
Make a difference as MAG's ‘Doctor of the Day’
The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) is encouraging physicians in the state to serve as a MAG ‘Doctor of the Day’ program volunteer during this year’s legislative session, which is expected to end by early April.
MAG Doctor of the Day volunteers work in the Medical Aid Station at the state Capitol, where they provide free minor medical care to legislators and their staff members. 
As a MAG Doctor of the Day, you will…
– Be introduced in the House and Senate chambers by your state representative and senator
– Have your photo taken with the Gov. Nathan Deal (contingent on his availability)
– Have a reserved parking place 
– Be assisted by a nurse
– Be protected by the state’s ‘Good Samaritan Law’
The MAG Doctor of the Day program is a non-political service. Volunteers do not serve as lobbyists when they serve as a MAG Doctor of the Day volunteer.
If you are interested in serving as a MAG Doctor of the Day volunteer, click here for a form that you can print, complete, and submit to Liz Bullock at ebullock@mag.org or you can simply call her at 678.303.9271.
Go to www.mag.org/advocacy/take-action/dod for additional information on the MAG ‘Doctor of the Day’ program, including logistical details and FAQ. 
Save June 23-25 for MAG’s ‘Legislative Education Seminar’
MAG is encouraging member physicians to save June 23-25 for its 2017 ‘Legislative Education Seminar’ meeting, which will take place at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris. 
More than 50 physicians and 25 state leaders attended the event in 2016.
Monitor www.mag.org for details, and contact Derek Norton at dnorton@mag.org or 678.303.9280 with questions related to MAG’s 2017 ‘Legislative Education Seminar.’
Follow MAG at the Capitol 24/7
Whether you're using a laptop or a tablet or a handheld device, you can always get the latest state legislative news in Georgia by following MAG on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MAG1849 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MAG1849, or by visiting www.mag.org/resources/GR.
MAG’s Government Relations team
Derek Norton, Director – dnorton@mag.org or 404.274.4210  
Bethany Sherrer, Government Relations Associate and GAMPAC Manager – bsherrer@mag.org or 404.354.1863
Liz Bullock, Administrative Assistant – ebullock@mag.org or 678.303.9271
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Medical Association of Georgia
1849 The Exchange, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339
678.303.9290

Derek Norton, Government Relations Director, 678.303.9280
Bethany Sherrer, Associate, 678.303.9273
Liz Bullock, Administrative Assistant, 678.303.9271
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