MAG ready for 2022 legislative session
Dear MAG members,
New Leadership – Bethany Sherrer
I am honored and excited to represent you and your patients during Georgia’s 2022 state legislative session – which will begin next Monday, January 10. This is my sixth legislative session with MAG but my first as your Director of Government Relations. MAG will continue to be recognized as the leading advocate for physicians in the state with the help of our team – Travis Lindley, Devin Krecl, and Derek Norton.
Key Issues & Challenges
Health care will continue to be at the forefront of key issues under the Gold Dome in 2022, especially mental health. MAG’s Government Relations team has been actively involved in the political process and with state agencies since the legislative session ended in April 2021. We expect some uncertainty going into the 2022 session with the Omicron variant. Importantly, statewide elections (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Commissioner of Insurance, etc.) and Senate and House elections will occur in 2022 after redistricting in 2021.
MAG’s 2022 Legislative Priorities
Based on the direction that we received from MAG’s Council on Legislation, MAG’s Board of Directors, and MAG’s House of Delegates, the legislative priorities that will serve as our roadmap for 2022 include…
COVID-19 Relief
– Providing relief and assistance for Georgia’s physicians and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Health Insurance
– Further streamlining and improving the prior authorization process
– Ensuring the adequacy of health insurance networks
– Advancing mental health parity
Public Health
– Increasing Georgia’s tobacco tax to improve public health
– Implementing a psychiatric advance directive and a short form advance directive
Medicaid
– Continuing to support the process to ensure coverage of the uninsured
Scope of Practice
– Addressing scope of practice issues that undermine patient safety
Tort Reform
– Addressing Georgia’s tort environment, including exploring CANDOR (Communication and Optimal Resolution)
Join GAMPAC Today
Despite the pandemic, MAG’s political action committee, GAMPAC, remains strong – and I cannot overstate its importance. I encourage you to join GAMPAC in 2022 to increase MAG’s influence under the Gold Dome. This is an easy and effective way to help ensure that Georgia’s legislative environment is favorable for physicians and patients. Join here.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the members of MAG’s Council on Legislation, including its chair, W. Scott Bohlke, M.D., as well as our legislative allies – including Georgia's county medical societies and state specialty societies – for their ongoing support. I would also like to thank the individual physicians who support MAG’s advocacy efforts, whether that is making a phone call, sending an email, attending an event, or meeting with legislators. Our grassroots efforts are always a huge part of our success under the Gold Dome.
Finally, I encourage you to reach out to me or any member of MAG’s Government Relations team if you have any comments or questions during this year’s legislative session. We sincerely value your perspective – and please remember that we are here to serve you.
Bethany Sherrer, JD, MBA, MHA
Director of Government Relations & General Counsel
Medical Association of Georgia
