Government Relations News
Please select the links below for complete articles and documents of the current year. Government Relations News Archives
08.26.08 Foundation funding trauma awareness campaign in Georgia
The Healthcare Georgia Foundation has awarded a $398,000 grant to fund an awareness campaign that’s designed to educate Georgians about the need for a statewide trauma system.
The goal of the "It's About Time ... Georgia Needs A Trauma System Now" program is to help establish a statewide trauma system, including rural areas in the state that don’t have access to adequate emergency transportation or trauma care. It's designed to demonstrate that Georgians want a statewide trauma system.
The grant was awarded to Hayslett Group LLC, of Atlanta, which will implement a 10-month program that will include grassroots awareness, public relations and advertising.
Click here for additional information
07.16.08 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 becomes law
On July 15, the U.S. Congress voted overwhelmingly to override President Bush's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331), allowing the bill to become law.
H.R. 6331 retroactively replaces the 10.6 percent payment cut that went into effect on July 1 with a 0.5 percent update extension through the end of 2008. It also provides an additional 1.1 percent update for 2009.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), physicians, non-physician practitioners and other providers of services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will begin receiving the 0.5 percent payment update in the second half of July.
Read full news article from MAG
07.15.08 Congress stops Medicare cuts, overrides president's veto of H.R. 6331
Today President Bush vetoed H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Thanks to an incredibly strong grassroots effort by physicians, the House of Representatives voted 383-41 and the Senate voted 70-26 to override the veto this afternoon. As a result, H.R. 6331 becomes law - stopping the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut that went into effect on July 1, 2008.
Click here for full alert, including how Georgia's Congressional leaders voted
07.14.08 AMA & MAG thank Senators for Medicare vote in AJC ad
View PDF of advertisement
07.09.08 Senate passes Medicare Improvements Act; Please thank Senators Isakson & Chambliss for their support of H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act” passed the Senate on Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 69-30. H.R. 6331 stops the 10.6 percent Medicare payment cuts that were supposed to go into effect July 1. The bill now goes to the President who has previously indicated he will veto the measure. MAG will keep you posted.
MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to call Senators Chambliss and Isakson using AMA's Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 to thank them for voting for cloture and for the passage of H.R. 6331.
In addition to the AMA Hotline, physicians may call Sen. Saxby Chambliss at his Washington, D.C., office at 202.224.3521. Call the Washington, D.C., office of Sen. Johnny Isakson at 202.224.3643.
07.08.08 Medicare Advocacy Alert Reminder: Urge Senators Isakson & Chambliss to support H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act” could be reconsidered Wednesday afternoon, according to the Senate Majority Leader's office. H.R. 6331 is the only legislative solution currently available for Medicare payments. MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to CALL SEN. CHAMBLISS AND SEN. ISAKSON USING AMA’S GRASSROOTS HOTLINE AT 800.833.6354 ASAP AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 6331. Physicians should tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
In addition to the AMA Hotline, physicians can call Sen. Saxby Chambliss at his Washington, D.C. office at 202.224.3521. Call the Washington, D.C. office of Sen. Johnny Isakson at 202.224.3643.
07.06.08 Medicare Advocacy Alert Reminder: Call Senators Isakson & Chambliss to support H.R. 6331
H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act” could be reconsidered as early as Monday, July 7. H.R. 6331 is the only legislative solution currently available for Medicare payments. MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is encouraging every physician in the state of Georgia to CALL SEN. CHAMBLISS AND SEN. ISAKSON USING AMA’S GRASSROOTS HOTLINE AT 800.833.6354 ASAP AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 6331. Physicians should tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
07.03.08 AARP, Georgia physicians calling on Senators Isakson and Chambliss to support bill to improve Medicare, protect access to doctors
ATLANTA - AARP Georgia and the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) today said that last week a minority in the U.S. Senate derailed a critical bipartisan bill that would have stopped a 10.6 percent payment cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients, kept Medicare premiums fair, and made significant improvements to a program that 44 million Americans depend on.
Read joint press release
07.03.08 CMS outlines plans for Medicare payments in letter to Sen. Chambliss
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Kerry Weems sent the attached letter to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss yesterday. It details the process that CMS will use to handle claims during the current period of uncertainty surrounding Medicare payments.
Read CMS' letter to Sen. Chambliss
07.01.08 MAG update on Medicare payment reduction
The 10.6 percent reduction in Medicare physician fees went into effect today, July 1. MAG and its leaders are actively engaged in an advocacy campaign to address the Medicare payment reduction to protect the interests of physicians and patients in Georgia. That effort included a conference call with Georgia’s U.S. Senators on Sunday, June 29.
Read July 1 MAG alert and H.R. 6331 summary
07.01.08 AMA airing ads that blast Senate inaction on Medicare cuts
Reflecting physicians’ frustration with a group of Senators who blocked action last week on legislation that would stop harsh Medicare physician payment cuts, the AMA began airing new TV and radio ads urging opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients’ access to care before insurance profits.
Read AMA's press release
View the impact of Medicare physician pay cuts in Georgia
06.30.08 MAG leaders urge U.S. Senators to find Medicare solution to support physicians, patients in Sunday conference call
Dr. Chapman provides members with an update on the critical issue of Medicare payments and the steps that MAG leaders are taking to protect the interests of physicians and patients in Georgia - highlighted by a conference call with our U.S. Senators yesterday morning.
H.R. 6331 will reportedly be reconsidered as soon as next Monday, July 7. Dr. Chapman is asking every physician in Georgia to call Sen. Chambliss and Sen. Isakson using AMA's Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to support H.R. 6331 when the Senate reconvenes following the July 4 recess. Tell them that we must have a Medicare payments solution so we can provide our patients with timely access to the health care and the peace of mind they deserve.
Read Dr. Chapman's alert
06.27.08 Medicare bill fails to advance in Senate, MAG President urging every physician in Georgia to call U.S. Senators
The Medicare Reimbursement bill (H.R. 6331) died in the Senate last night when a cloture vote was taken at 8:20 p.m. - failing by a vote of 58-40 (3/5 of 98 votes, or 59 votes were required for passage of cloture). This was the same bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 24, by a vote of 355-59.
Both of Georgia's U.S. Senators voted against cloture. Votes were split for the most part along party lines, although nine Republicans did break ranks and vote for the bill to pass.
MAG will continue to press Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Sen. Johnny Isakson for a comprehensive Medicare funding solution, and every physician in the state is encouraged to call Sen. Chambliss and Sen. Isakson using AMA's grassroots hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to become active advocates for H.R. 6331.
Read Dr. Chapman's alert to Georgia physicians
Read AMA's statement expressing outrage over the U.S. Senate's failure to approve the House Medicare bill
06.25.08 MAG members key “grassroots victory” for Medicare bill, AMA urging physicians to call U.S. Senators today as next step
In what it calls a “stunning grassroots victory for physicians”, the American Medical Association (AMA) says that the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6331 - the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" - by a vote of 355 to 59. AMA says its nationwide grassroots effort influenced a number of congressional leaders, and AMA recognized MAG members for the significant role that they played in the bill’s passage.
As a next step, H.R. 6331 will be introduced to the Senate by Sen. Harry Reid tomorrow, Thursday, June 26.
MAG is asking its members to CALL U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson using AMA’s Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 and urge them to 1) vote to bring H.R. 6331 up for debate and 2) support H.R. 6331.
Read full article
06.25.08 GSU hosting second part of trauma care forum on August 6
The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University will host the second part of the trauma care forum series - Trauma Services in Georgia: Where Are We Now? Where Should We Go? - on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at 14 Marietta Street Northwest, 7th floor, in Atlanta.
The session will focus on building an effective and efficient trauma care network based on the Institute of Medicine's goals of coordination and regionalization.
Several trauma care experts from other states will be invited to speak on trauma care coordination, regionalization and protocols to improve the accuracy of triage.
You can contact Elnora Kelly at ekelly10@gsu.edu or 404.539.1687 for additional information. There is no cost for the forum, but those who are interested in attending are asked to register in advance.
Click Here to Register
06.25.08 Atlanta lands National Health Museum
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue recently announced that Atlanta will be home for the National Health Museum (NHM), which organizers say will deliver health-related messages, inspire America’s next generation of caregivers and life scientists, and help the nation remain at the forefront of health discovery, technology, practice and care.
In a June 24 letter, MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D. congratulated and thanked Gov. Perdue for his leadership in bringing the museum to Atlanta.
Read full article
06.24.08 H.R. 6331 passes House with 355-59 vote
H.R. 6331, which stops the 10.6 percent Medicare cut that had been scheduled to take effect July 1, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 355-59 vote on Tuesday, June 24. H.R. 6331 extends the 0.5 percent update through 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update for calendar year 2009. The American Medical Association and MAG thanks the physicians and patients who called their U.S. House Representatives to ask them to vote yes for the measure.
06.23.08 AMA Urging Georgia Physicians, Patients to Contact U.S. Representatives to Vote Yes for H.R. 6331
The American Medical Association is urging physicians and patients to CALL THEIR U.S. HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES TODAY and ask them to VOTE YES ON H.R. 6331 to stop the 10.6 percent Medicare cut on July 1. H.R. 6331 could be considered as soon as tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24. You can use AMA’s Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail). H.R. 6331 extends the 0.5 percent update through 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update for calendar year 2009.
Click Here for More Information
06.13.08 MAG Urging Physicians, Patients to Contact U.S. Senators for Medicare Funding Solution
MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., is calling on all Georgians to become advocates as Medicare physician payment rates are scheduled to be cut 10.6 percent on July 1 of this year and an additional 5 percent or more on January 1, 2009.
Dr. Chapman is urging Georgia physicians and patients to contact U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson by using the American Medical Association Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail) and request that they come up with an alternative plan to stop the 10.6 percent Medicare cut on July 1 and the 5 percent Medicare cut on January 1, 2009.
Click Here for More Information
06.11.08 Trauma Commission approves 2008 budget
The Georgia Trauma Commission recently approved a plan to divide nearly $59 million in supplemental budget dollars among physicians, Emergency Medical Services and hospitals across the state for trauma care.
Physicians and hospitals will receive 25 percent and 75 percent of the trauma center totals, respectively for trauma readiness costs and uncompensated care.
Read Full Article
View Trauma Commission Budget Chart
06.11.08 MAG ALERT: STOP MEDICARE PAY CUTS, CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATOR TODAY
Senators Baucus, Snowe, Rockefeller and Smith have introduced S. 3101 - the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which would grant an 18-month reprieve from the Medicare physician payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2008, and January 1, 2009. More specifically, the current 0.5 percent payment update would be continued through 2008, and an additional 1.1 percent update would be implemented in 2009.
The first likely procedural vote will be on a motion to close debate, which could come as early as this Thursday, June 12.
It’s critical that you call or e-mail your U.S. Senator as soon as possible and urge them to 1) support the motion to close debate and 2) support S. 3101.
Please contact Sen. Saxby Chambliss or Sen. Johnny Isakson by using the American Medical Association Grassroots Hotline at 800.833.6354 (to call) or www.capwiz.com/ama/home (to send an e-mail).
Please call MAG’s Government Relations Department at 678.303.9271 or 800.282.0224 with questions.
06.11.08 MAG Leaders Discuss Trauma Care with Lt. Governor
From left, MAG Executive Director David Cook and MAG President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., met with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Dan Rahn, M.D., president of the Medical College of Georgia, on June 10 to discuss trauma care in Georgia, including the need to secure a sustainable source of funding and ways to enhance and expand the system in the state.
06.03 MAG Leaders Turn Out in Full Force for GSU Trauma Forum
The Medical Association of Georgia was well represented at the “Georgia Care Trauma Forum: Where Are We Now? Where Should We Go?” that took place at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 3. It was the first of a three-part series addressing the state's trauma system crisis; the next two forums are scheduled to take place in July and September.
MAG members that attended the event were President Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., William R. Hardcastle, M.D., and Earl A. Grubbs, M.D. Dr. Hardcastle is heading up a Trauma Task Force that was recently created by MAG’s Council on Legislation. MAG Director of Health Policy and Director of Third Party Payer Advocacy Cam Grayson and MAG Director of Communications Tom Kornegay also were on hand for the event.
Of the event, Dr. Chapman said, “Addressing the trauma system in Georgia in a comprehensive and sustainable way is a critical issue for both patients and physicians in the state.”
05.22.08 AMA applauds passage of new law to protect patients from genetic discrimination
The AMA applauded Congress and the president for working together to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 into federal law.
Read Press Release
03.03.08 Medicare 45 Percent Trigger Legislation Introduced in Congress
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) included a provision requiring the president to submit to Congress a legislative proposal to reduce Medicare spending if the Medicare Trustees conclude for two consecutive years that more than 45 percent of Medicare funding will come from general revenues of the federal budget within a seven year period. Because these funding levels have been reached in each of the last two years, the President submitted his proposal to Congress on February 15. House and Senate leaders from both parties introduced this proposal (which they were required to do by statute) on February 25.
The President’s proposal contains three distinct legislative parts:
- “Value-based health care” principles relating to Medicare transparency and quality including the use of electronic health records and the release of data for quality improvement and performance measurement;
- Medical liability reform legislation mirroring the House-passed H.R. 5 from the 109th Congress; and
- Means testing under Medicare Part D. Few legislative details were included in the President’s proposal regarding the Medicare transparency and quality provisions.
The MMA statutorily requires the committees of jurisdiction to consider legislation and respond to the Medicare funding warning by June 30, 2008. However, Congress is not mandated to consider the President’s proposal as introduced. As such, legislation considered by the committees could take a different form.
AMA Position: The AMA will closely monitor all Medicare trigger legislative proposals considered by Congress. The AMA will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that physicians’ views are reflected when considering Medicare transparency and quality proposals. Additionally, the AMA will continue to advocate for enactment of meaningful medical liability reform legislation.
AMA's Advocacy Agenda Web Site
02.29.08 MedPAC Urges 1.1 Percent Physician Update in 2009
On Friday, February 29, MedPAC released its March 2008 report, which makes recommendations to Congress on 2009 Medicare payment updates for all providers. MedPAC does call for a positive update for physicians, however, due partly to the faltering economy, the update currently projected from the MedPAC formula is just 1.1 percent. The number fluctuates over the year, and is significantly lower than the 2008 increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) calculated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The AMA and other physician groups are calling on Congress to provide physicians with the MEI update of 1.8 percent in 2009.
02.15.08 MAG, AMA Encourage Members to Contact Senators to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts
Though we were successful in preventing a 10 percent cut to Medicare physician payments in January 2008, Congressional intervention only delayed the cuts for six months. The upcoming President's Day Congressional Recess - February 15-25 - is a critical opportunity to reach out to members of the United States Senate and impress on them the importance of meeting their self-imposed deadline of July 1, 2008 for preventing cuts to Medicare that will endanger the access to care of millions of beneficiaries.
To assist you in this endeavor, the AMA has developed several advocacy resources that we encourage you to use in reaching out to your U.S. Senators. Click on any link below to download:
01.30.08 MAG Praises Health Care Reform for Georgians: Physicians’ Group Influential in Shaping Legislation
The Medical Association of Georgia hailed the Governor’s health care announcement today as “a free-market solution promising affordable coverage and high-quality care to Georgia’s uninsured.”
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced in a press conference today his support of health insurance reform legislation that will be filed by Senator Judson Hill and Representative Mickey Channell . The legislation will insure more Georgia citizens by expanding the availability and affordability of High Deductible Health Plans and Health Care Savings Accounts in Georgia.
Click Here for MAG's Statement
Click Here for Press Release from Governor's Office
Click Here for the Georgia Uninsured Work Group Report
01.29.08 MAG President Commends Governor's Budget Proposal to Increase Physician Pay Rates
Read Press Release
01.29.08 President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – President Bush briefly spoke on health care during his final State of the Union.
Read Full Address
01.24.08 AMA's Statement on the State of Health Care in the U.S.
WASHINGTON – As President Bush prepares to address the top domestic and foreign policy issues facing the nation, American voters consistently cite health care as a top domestic priority. While there is much good in the delivery of health care, there are also areas in need of great improvement, notably providing all Americans with health care coverage and reforming Medicare.
The American Medical Association, through its national health care policy agenda, has identified the priority health issues facing our nation, and calls on Congress, the Administration, and candidates for national office to support proposals that will help improve the health care system.
Read Full Release
01.22.08 MAG Spearheads National Advocacy in CON Lawsuit
The Medical Association of Georgia escalated the state’s ongoing Certificate of Need (CON) debate to the national forefront today with the filing of a motion to intervene in the Superior Court of Dougherty County. The intervention comes in response to a suit filed in December by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals which challenges the Department of Community Health Board vote to make general surgery a single specialty. In an effort to fight this troublesome development, MAG has created the Legal Defense Fund to support our involvement in this legal battle. Please read the President's letter to Members for details.
Read MAG President's Letter to Members
Read Executive Director's Message
View Full Press Release
View MAG's Motion to Intervene
View Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals' Lawsuit
01.14.08 First Day of the Session
The 2008 Session of the Georgia General Assembly begins Monday, January 14, in Atlanta.
Read more
01.11.08 Report Released on Expanding Medical Education in Georgia
In September 2007, Medical College of Georgia retained Pittsburgh-based Tripp Umbach to complete the medical education expansion study on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. This week, the Tripp Umbach Report was distributed to Georgia lawmakers. The expansion addresses a critical statewide need for more physicians. The consulting firm has analyzed medical education needs nationwide and provided recommendations to the Board of Regents for expanding medical education in Georgia.
Read MAG's 2007 Resolution on MCG
Download Full Report
Download Presentation
Go to MCG-UGA: Expanding Medical Education in Georgia Web site
*Many of the documents listed here are available in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader®. This free software can be downloaded from the Adobe® site, http://www.adobe.com.