MMA Board of Directors to Meet on Wednesday, June 7
The Death with Dignity Task Force is expected to meet between now and the Annual Session Sept. 8-10. The goal of the group is to review the current ethical provisions regarding physician-assisted death and to review the experience in those states which have permitted the practice, including most recently, the State of Vermont.
The proposal advanced this session by Sen. Roger Katz (R, Augusta) passed the state senate by one vote but was defeated in the House by a significant margin. The bill is expected to be introduced again in 2019. A survey of MMA members revealed an even split in opinion by the members so the Association did not take a position on the final proposal this year.
Volunteers are being sought for the Task Force. If you are an MMA member and interested in serving, please communicate directly with either MMA President Charles Pattavina, M.D. at President@mainemed.com or EVP Gordon Smith, Esq. at gsmith@mainemed.com.
Legislative items will include L.D. 456 regarding pharmacists attempts to broaden their scope of practice to include childhood immunizations, L.D. 46 which would eliminate the current exemption for physicians from jury duty, L.D. 445 which is an amended version of the so-called right to shop (for medical services) bill and L.D. 1557 limiting charges of out of network providers in circumstances where the patient would not have made a knowing choice to use an out of network provider (emergency services are exempt).
The Board is chaired by Robert Schlager, M.D., a family physician serving as CMO at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield.
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