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MMA Legislative Committee Organizational Meeting Tonight at MMA
MMA's Legislative Committee, co-chaired this year by Katherine Pope, M.D. and Steve Meister, M.D., will hold its first meeting tonight at MMA offices in Manchester. Any MMA member is welcome to attend the session which will include a discussion of what health-related legislation will be considered during the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.
The meeting will be held at the
Frank O. Stred Building, 30 Association Drive, Manchester, Maine on Monday,
December 5th from 6:00 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m. Dinner will be
available at 6:00 p.m.
Members of the Legislative
Committee, any interested MMA member, and medical specialty society
representatives are strongly encouraged to attend. This meeting is very
important because the Committee will be deciding administrative aspects of the
MMA’s advocacy work during the next legislature, such as the day and time of
the weekly Committee conference calls; reviewing the recent election results
and what they mean for our advocacy work; and discussing the advocacy agendas
of the MMA, the medical specialty societies, and other health care advocacy
organizations with whom MMA frequently collaborates.
We urge you to make every
effort to participate in the meeting in person, but the following conference
call information will be available for those who cannot travel to Manchester.
The 186 members of the 128th Maine Legislature will be sworn in at the State House in Augusta this Wednesday, December 7th. The new Senate will include 18 Republicans and 17 Democrats. The new House will include 77 Democrats, 72 Republicans, and 2 Unenrolled members. On Wednesday, legislators also will formally elect their leadership, will elect the Constitutional offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Auditor, and will adopt their joint rules of order. We understand that the cloture deadline for the filing of bills is likely to be Friday, December 30th. The new legislature is expected to address a state biennial budget for the two years beginning July 1, 2017, numerous bills aimed at the continuing opioid abuse crisis including potential amendments to P.L. 2015, Chapter 488, and many other bills on matters of health policy of interest to the physician community in a session that will begin on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 and will end some time in mid-June.
Conference call number: 207-480-4790
Participant PIN: 057614#
Please RSVP to Sarah Lepoff
at slepoff@mainemed.com or 622-3374,
ext. 213. If you have any question about the meeting, please contact
Andrew MacLean, Deputy EVP & General Counsel at amaclean@mainemed.com or 622-3374, ext.
214.
We look forward to seeing you
on December 5th and to your participation in the MMA’s advocacy activities in
the 128th Maine Legislature.
Thanks,
Katherine Pope, M.D. Co-chair
Legislative Committee
Stephen Meister, M.D.
Co-chair Legislative Committee
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MMA Leadership Listening Session on December 6th at Lucerne Inn in Dedham
- When: Tuesday, December 6 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- Where: The Lucerne Inn, 2517 Main Road in Dedham, ME
MMA members and their guests are cordially invited to join MMA officers and executive staff at a Listening Session, in recognition of the election of Charles Pattavina, MD as the 164th President of the Maine Medical Association.
Stop by for an appetizer and beverage on us and share with us your thoughts and opinions.
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U.S. House Passes 21st Century Cures Act; Senate Passage Expected this Week
The U.S. House of Representatives this past week passed the 21st Century Cures Act with a strong majority vote of 392-26. The broad health bill also includes mental health care reforms strongly supported by patient and physician advocacy groups and funding for opioid abuse treatment and prevention. The bill provides $1 billion to address the opioid crisis in the various states. The Senate is expected to pass the measure and send it to the White House over some Democratic objections. [return to top]
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Physicians Needed for Medical Advisory Board
The Maine Secretary
of State’s office is asking for physicians to fill vacancies on the office’s
Medical Advisory Board. This is a compensated position.
The Medical Advisory Board is a professional unit composed
of physicians and motor vehicle staff to advise the Secretary of State’s office
on medical criteria and vision standards for licensing drivers. The board
consists of at least seven members who have expertise in matters concerning
health or medicine. By statute the board must
include licensed physicians representing the specialties of cardiology,
gerontology, internal medicine, neurology or neurological surgery,
ophthalmology, psychiatry, family practice and rehabilitative medicine and may
include additional members who are professionals in relevant medical fields. The board advises the
Secretary of State on matters relating to medical conditions and vision
standards relating to driver’s licenses.
In addition, the board collectively or any individual member
of the board will, from time to time, evaluate reports submitted by healthcare
professionals to advise the Secretary of State on whether a person is medically
competent to operate a motor vehicle on public roads.
Maine rules relating to drivers’ license medical standards
have recently undergone a significant redrafting process, and the new rules go
into effect December 31, 2016. A summary of the rules may be found at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/Medical/FAP%20Summary%20of%20Changes%2011.02.16rev.doc
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By law the board
must meet once every two years, but by custom it meets twice per year. Its next
meeting is April 21, 2017.
At the moment there
are board vacancies in the following specialty areas:
· Gerontology
· Internal medicine
· Family practice
Any interested physicians
wishing more information should contact:
Barbara A. Redmond, Chief Deputy Secretary
of State
Office of the Secretary of State
148 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0148
Tel: 207-626-8400 | Fax: 207-287-8598
The MMA urges its
members to consider seriously serving on this board which performs an essential
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Registration Available for December 6th State Innovation Model (SIM) Annual Meeting in Augusta
On December 6th, State Innovation Model (SIM) stakeholders and interested parties will convene at the Augusta Civic Center to learn about the improvements that have been made in strengthening primary care, integrating physical and behavioral health, measuring outcomes, and more. Attendees will hear from people impacted by the SIM work and learn about the continuing efforts to improve healthcare value in Maine. Speakers include those from the Department of Health & Human Services and from hospitals and other providers.
There is no cost to attend. Registration and details about the event can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/sim.
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Nation's Healthcare Spending Increased in 2015
A new analysis from the office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that in 2015 healthcare spending in the U.S. grew at a rate of 5.8% and reached $3.2 trillion or $9,990 per person. In 2014, spending increased 5.3% which followed five consecutive years of historically low growth from 2009 to 2013.
Faster growth in 2014 and 2015 occurred as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions expanded coverage for individuals through marketplace exchanges and medicaid expansion. [return to top]
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The AMA's Post-Election Advocacy Agenda
In the near term, the AMA will focus on the following priorities: the future of health system reform, reducing regulatory burdens, and the continued implementation of the Quality Payment Program created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
Health system reform. Following action taken by the House of Delegates during the 2016 AMA Interim Meeting, the AMA issued a press release and two-page statement outlining and reaffirming its existing policies on health system reform. The AMA's comprehensive policy provides a solid foundation for upcoming deliberations on changes to the Affordable Care Act and other programs. The framework addresses key issues such as covering the uninsured and expanding choice, ensuring patient access to care and the providers they need, improving health equity for underserved and special needs populations and advancing initiatives that enhance practice efficiency and professional satisfaction.
These materials were shared with the Trump transition team, the Obama administration, and congressional leaders, and the initial response has been positive. In the coming weeks, the AMA will be hosting a series of discussions with Federation members to prepare and position medicine to effectively engage in the debate about the future of health system reform.
Regulatory relief. The AMA will aggressively pursue new opportunities to secure significant reductions in regulatory burdens that take time from patient care and increase costs. To be assured efforts begin with the most pressing concerns in mind, the AMA has asked for input from Federation groups on suggestions for a regulatory relief agenda.
The AMA's plan is to provide the Trump transition team and key congressional offices with an initial set of regulatory relief recommendations before Jan. 1, while continuing to augment this work over the next several months.
Further QPP improvements. The first performance reporting period under the QPP begins Jan.1. Although medicine was able to secure many improvements in final regulations issued this fall, there are provisions of the MACRA law that must still be implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Proposed regulations expected to be issued in the spring of 2017 will offer opportunities to seek further improvements to the QPP. As it has over the last 18 months, the AMA will seek to forge consensus across medicine on recommendations to improve the new Medicare payment system.
And, importantly, the AMA will continue its efforts to provide physician practices with the information and tools that will help them participate successfully in the QPP. Visit the AMA MACRA resource page for information about upcoming webinars and regional seminars, links to instructional podcasts and websites, and for access to our Payment Model Evaluator tool. [return to top]
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Health Insurance Marketplace 2017 Open Enrollment - November 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017
The Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period for 2017 began on November 1 and goes through January 31, 2017. If you enroll by December 15, your coverage will begin on January 1.
Get Ready to Apply for 2017 Coverage
Many people who apply will qualify for some kind of savings. Depending on household income, you may be able to get lower costs on monthly Marketplace health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Already Have Marketplace Coverage? Anyone who currently has a 2016 health insurance plan through the Marketplace should review their current plan, update their healthcare.gov account, and either renew coverage or select another plan for 2017.
Health Insurance Marketplace assistance is available:
- Call the Consumers for Affordable Health Care HelpLine at 1-800-965-7476
- Find local help at www.enroll207.com. Navigators and assisters are available throughout Maine.
- Call the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596
- Medical practices: order patient brochures about the Health Insurance Marketplace at enroll207
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Upcoming Events
American Medical Association MACRA Webinars November 21st & December 6th
The AMA will host two educational webinars to help physicians prepare for the new Medicare Quality Payment Program created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Both sessions will cover the same material. Registration is open for the first webinar on Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. EDT, and the second webinar on Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. EDT. Physicians and medical society staff are welcome.
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Caring
for ME Leadership Meeting
Supporting
Maine Clinicians in Responding to
the Opioid Epidemic
December
14, 2016
8:00
am - 12:00 pm
Maine
Medical Association - Manchester, ME | |
QC is expanding our December Caring for ME Leadership
Meeting to hold a half-day strategy session to focus on planning and
alignment efforts in support of our Caring for ME initiatives.
This meeting will give special emphasis to updates on
the implementation of PL Chapter 488, including rule-making and
exceptions, as well as to fostering a dialogue around Medication
Assisted Treatment (MAT). Specifically, what is the current MAT
landscape in Maine, and how do we improve and expand access to this
critically important treatment?
Registration is encouraged, but not required, for
in-person attendance so that we may get an accurate headcount. A
light breakfast will be provided.
For anyone that is unable to attend in person, remote
attendance is possible. Please email Lizzy White to request the
web-conference log in.

Featured
Presentations
This meeting will feature
both structured presentations and facilitated group discussions designed to
share knowledge and resources, and increase alignment across the programs
currently underway around the state.
Featured presentations and
discussions will include:
- Updates on Implementation of
Opioid-Related Laws, Gordon Smith
- Successes & Challenges of
Chapter 488 Implementation, Group Discussion
- Advancing the Broader Agenda: Caring
for ME Goals, Group Discussion
- A Review of Maine's MAT Landscape,
Lisa Letourneau
- Training Providers in MAT, Alane
O'Connor
- Current Statewide MAT Efforts:
Successes & Challenges, Group Discussion
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Click here to see the complete agenda.
Event
Contact:
Lizzy White
207-620-8526 ext. 1033
Email Lizzy For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) services, or if special
arrangements are required for an individual to attend this course please call
or email us directly. |
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Job Openings
NP or PA - Jackman Community Health Center
JCHC is a part of Penobscot Community Health Center which is
a nationally recognized health care facility that focuses on patient-centered
care, innovation and collaboration. Signing, retention, and relocation bonuses
are up for grabs with this position! This site is also loan repayment eligible.
Give yourself the opportunity you deserve, by working for a
healthcare facility that always puts the patient first…for you, for your
family, for our community.
For more information, please contact Vanessa Sanderson,
Recruitment Coordinator, Penobscot Community Health Center at (207) 404-8015 orvsanderson@pchc.com.
If you want to enjoy Maine, the way it should be, come and
experience the simple pleasures of small town medicine while being surrounded
by over 250,000 acres of woodlands. Each season offers something for everyone
except a traffic light. Jackman Community Health Center is in need of a
full-time NP or PA to work in their highly unique primary care and urgent care
facility.
1/2/17
CMHVI IN-PATIENT CARDIOLOGY, NP or PA, Baylor Staffing Plan, Nights, Lewiston, Maine
CMHVI
Cardiology, in Lewiston, Maine is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner or
Physician Assistant, full-time Baylor Staffing Plan, 11pm – 7am, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, to work 24 hours and get paid for 36 hours! This person
will perform dedicated in-patient care under the supervision of a CMHVI
cardiologist. Candidate must have (2) or more years as a hospital-based Physician
Assistant/Nurse Practitioner experience and at least (1) year cardiovascular
experience preferred.
CMMC is proud to offer you a competitive salary and benefit package that
includes: Substantial hiring bonus;
all-inclusive relocation packages; generous loan repayment; short term and long
term disability insurance; significant time off to complete CME & allowance
for paid program; excellent 403B retirement/savings plan; state of the art Fitness
Center and Wellness Program.
Contact Donna Lafean, lafeando@cmhc.org; FMI: http://recruitment.cmmc.org/
12/26/16
BC/BE FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN - FLOAT
HealthReach Community Health Centers seeks an experienced full-time, part-time or per diem BC/BE Family Medicine Physician to join our team of float providers. The selected candidate will travel to health centers in Central and Western Maine and provide acute, chronic and preventive services to patients of all ages.
HealthReach has been providing healthcare in rural and medically underserved communities for 41 years. Annually, 28,000 Maine residents access medical, dental and behavioral health services at our facilities, which are located in Albion, Bingham, Belgrade, Bethel, Coopers Mills, Kingfield, Livermore Falls, Madison, Rangeley, Richmond and Strong.
We offer competitive compensation including a generous float differential and malpractice coverage. Contact Recruiter, HRCHC, 10 Water Street, Suite 305, Waterville, ME 04901. (207) 660-9913 ~ Fax: (207) 660-9901 ~Communications@HealthReach.org ~ www.HealthReachCHC.org.
12/5/16
GENERAL SURGEON - Brunswick, ME
Mid Coast Medical Group is
seeking a full time General Surgeon. This is a community hospital oriented job
with needed skills in all core aspects of general surgery. The surgeon will be part of a long standing
4-5 provider general surgery group. The office is conveniently located adjacent
to Mid Coast Hospital. New graduates and experienced candidates are encouraged
to apply.
Part of the Mid
Coast–Parkview health family of services,
Mid Coast Hospital offers competitive benefits and compensation package,
along with an excellent work environment. Please send CV to Melanie Crowe,
Physician Recruiter, at mcrowe@midcoasthealth.com or call (207) 406-7872, for more information.
1/2/17
INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN - Maine Medical Partners Internal Medical Clinic
Maine Medical Partners is seeking a PT BC/BE internal
medicine physician for their Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at Maine
Medical Center in Portland, Maine.
The Clinic is the
primary outpatient teaching site for Maine Medical Center’s Internal Medicine
Residency Program and is the medical home for a culturally diverse
population. The ideal candidate
will have an interest in residency education and international/immigrant patient
care. The clinical portion of the
position involves a mix of direct patient care and the precepting of Internal
Medicine Residents.
Maine Medical Center has 637 licensed beds and is the state’s
leading tertiary care hospital, with a full complement of residencies and
fellowships and an integral part of Tufts University Medical School.
For more information please contact Alison C.
Nathanson, Director, MaineHealth Physician Recruitment Center at (207) 661-7383 or nathaa@mainehealth.org.
12/12/16
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