MAG’s 2019 state legislative priorities
The Medical Association of Georgia’s (MAG) priorities for the 2019 state legislative session include…
Health Insurance
– Developing a solution for the “surprise health insurance coverage gap”
– Streamlining and improving the prior authorization process
– Promoting more and better coverage options for pain therapy
– Ensuring patients have access to every “in-network” physician for the duration of their contract year
– Requiring insurers to be transparent about their networks, standards of participation, and process for selecting/de-selecting physicians
– Allowing patients to make health care decisions based on the best treatment options, their medical history, and the advice they receive from their physicians vs. an insurers' step therapy protocols
– Continuing to oppose insurers' retrospective ER claims review policies
Rural Health Care
– Recruiting and retaining an adequate physician work force
– Improving the accessibility of health care in rural areas
Patient Safety
– Working with allied stakeholders (e.g., MagMutual) on key patient safety initiatives, including cancer screening and treatment for substance abuse (e.g., detoxification units and “Casey’s Law”) Medicaid
– Exploring a waiver option to access federal funds to expand the state’s Medicaid program
Scope of Practice
– Addressing scope of practice issues that undermine 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 2019.
