Despite no substantive updates as to whether the Maine Legislature will reconvene before November, the MMA has shifted its focus toward the preparation of a 2021 Legislative Platform. Nearly everything you do each day, from initial licensing through retirement is governed or directed by some federal or state law, or rule/regulation. In politics, people and professions are often in a position where either they can influence decisions made on their behalf or have someone else make them for you. 

It is of paramount importance that all professional associations develop a clear process on developing a strategic plan for policy advocacy. We continue to welcome all Maine specialty societies, MMA committees, and each individual MMA member to identify two or three priority issues, what change is needed, how to change it, and what personal or organizational resources and relationships may be available to help MMA by September 25.

Following receipt of all priority issues, the MMA’s Legislative Committee will review submissions in early October to narrow topics down to between 5 and 10 to help guide the MMA Board in its process to finalize and approve MMA’s 2021 Legislative Platform during its late October meeting. 

The final 2021 Legislative Platform will then be used to inform and familiarize legislative decision makers and the Governor’s office with your policy priorities for the next biennial legislative session. If elected officials and state department leaders are not given a clear sense of what benefits your patients, there is always a risk of getting ‘solutions’ that may make a problem worse or create new problems. 

All MMA members are also invited to reach out directly to MMA Director of Communications and Government Affairs, Dan Morin with for the framework one-pager to use in submitting legislative requests, or with any policy ideas, suggestions, or background for any particular issue(s). He can be reached at dmorin@mainemed.com or (207) 838-8613 -call/text-.