The KCMSA Legislative Committee keeps members informed by providing periodic reports regarding current and pending legislation affecting physicians, physician’s practices and the medical community.

Report of Kent County Medical Legislative Meeting

April 12, 2010

 

The legislators who were in attendance included David Agema , Justin Amash, Roy Schmidt, Tom Pearce, and Bill Hardiman. All were active participants explaining their sponsored bills and seeking physician input on legislation.

 

The recurrent theme of the meeting’s discussions was “elections have consequences”.  The November election will be important for physicians in our state.  It was agreed that physicians need to keep a close watch on: 

1.The Judiciary races which have consequence for tort reform. MSMS supports incumbent, Justice Robert Young.   Aggressive plans are in the works to defeat Justice Young by trial lawyers.   MSMS members are encouraged to donate to Justice Young’s campaign and actively work for his re-election.

2. A vote over a new constitutional convention is automatically on the Michigan ballet every 16 years.  MSMS opposes a new constitution.  MSMS does not see a constitutional convention as helping doctors.  Rather than rewriting the constitution and losing what has already been gained in legislation, it is better to change our current constitution through bills.

3.  3% Physician Tax is unpopular with all legislators until after the election.   The tax will be an issue after the election.  MSMS encourages all to consider this issue in November voting.

 

State Legislation

1. The politically charged negotiations over the state budget continue and hopefully an agreement will be reached by July 1. 

2. House Bill 5745 deals with medical records and changes to them.  It is currently a felony to alter medical records for a lawsuit.  This bill would put an unlimited ceiling on professional liability when medical records are altered.  MSMS sees this bill as a loophole for raising the financial stakes in lawsuits.  This bill may pass the House, but is unlikely to pass Senate.  Representative Justin Amash suggested contacting your Republican Representatives about making sure they understand this bill and to vote against it.  Democrats in House tend to favor this bill.

3.House Bill 4747 repeals helmet law.  This bill comes up every two years and is passed by both houses.  The Governor vetoes and there are not enough votes to override.  A discussion of the health care costs, and other states’ experiences of this “no brainer” bill followed.

4.House Bill 4583 allows HIV testing without special patient consent.  Roy Schmidt sponsored this bill. It provides more protection for hospital and medical staff as they work with patients.  MSMS supports this bill.  The House passed this bill 109 to 0.  The Senate has not yet voted.

5.Justin Amash asked for doctor input on the separate House and Senate bills that deal with usage of medical devises.  These separate bills are a reaction to the Stokes case in which the Dermatologist reused suture material on several patients.  Physicians present at the meeting stated that the bills were an overreaction to the crime.  Justin Amash wants a clear definition of single use medical devises in the legislation.  Physicians present offered that the manufactures’ recommendations for use should be the standard.

6.The legalization of Marijuana is “disastrous” legislation for the state according to David Agema.  He has proposed three bills to make marijuana a Schedule II drug and be dispensed by a pharmacist.  He seeks help from physicians to encourage a vote on these bills.

Federal

A summary of the health care legislation was given.  Positive interest was expressed in Attorney General Cox’s involvement in the lawsuit opposing the legislation.  Much of the legislation still remains to be determined.  For example, the rules and regulations are yet to be written.  The people who will write these have not been chosen and the way these people will be chosen has not been determined.  The many people added to Medicaid is seen as a new avenue for non physicians to expand scope of practice. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Barbara Sink

Archived Reports:

April 12, 2010
March 8, 2010
January 11, 2010
September 14, 2009
March 9, 2009
February 9, 2009
October 13, 2008

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Click here for the January 2009 MSMSA Legislative Report