Policies Manual
2023 Priorities
Access to Healthcare
Support:
-Universal healthcare coverage through a single payer health system
-The implementation of prior authorization and other insurance simplification reforms
-Universal state purchase and distribution of all vaccinations and support for minors’ ability to consent to receive the HPV vaccine
-Legislation to provide for medical aid in dying
Advocate:
-For mandatory insurance coverage without cost sharing for nutritional products to treat inborn errors of metabolism
-For practicing and retired physicians to volunteer to care for the uninsured and underserved through immunity from liability
-Parity in telehealth coverage when telehealth (video and audio-only visits) is provided by a patient’s established primary care physician/practice
Oppose:
-Efforts to remove “prescriber prevails” under the Medicaid program
Women’s/Reproductive Health
Support:
-Removal of REMS classification of mifepristone
-Comprehensive sexual education legislation
-Establishment of lactation accommodations in public transportation facilities
-Use of standards created by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare and US Preventive Services Task Force for healthcare provided to women who are incarcerated
Oppose:
-Federal ban on funding for abortions (Hyde Amendment)
-Health insurer prior approvals for contraceptive devices which restrict or delay their use and result in unintended pregnancies
-Oppose mandatory drug testing of pregnant women
-Oppose legislation to criminalize seeking out-of-state abortion services
Public Health & Safety
Support:
-Efforts to reach “herd immunity” with COVID-19 vaccination including a requirement for health care personnel to be vaccinated
-Required reporting of adult vaccine doses to State Immunization Registry (NYSIIS)
-Expansion of ISTOP law to include methadone clinics and Veterans Affairs facilities
-Increase in state funding for New York’s Tobacco Control Program;
-Increase in state funding for New York’s obesity prevention program; support tax on sugar sweetened beverages and advocate for ban on sale of energy drinks to children
-Measures to provide more walk-able/ bike-able communities
Advocate:
-For pilot programs allowing medically supervised safe injection facilities for harm reduction
-That incarcerated persons have access to their prescribed medications
– For policies to limit use of fossil fuels and the production of environmental pollutants
– For protection of physicians against assaults (as automatic felonies), regardless of setting
– Increased restrictions on gun ownership and other efforts to curb gun violence
– For legislation against sexual assault and for protection of sex workers
– For equity and inclusion in community and team sports for gender-diverse individuals
– For independent medical oversight of migrant detention centers
– For ending detention of asylum seekers and the separation of migrant families
– For reallocation of funding for policing and restoration of funding for schools, health care, mental health and social services
– For increased civilian oversight of police agencies
Encourage Growth of Family Practice in New York State
Support:
-Efforts to ensure that every medical school in the State has a family medicine department
-Making the Doctors Across NY program permanent and advocating for increased funding to provide loan forgiveness/ other grants to establish medical practices in physician shortage areas
-Income tax credits for physicians who practice in specialty shortage areas or serve as preceptors, including advocating that physicians should be allowed to participate in START-UP NY
-Continued state funding for Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
-Continued funding for Graduate Medical Education for primary care residency programs and encourage state medical schools to include family medicine and primary care residency slots
Advocate:
-For a rotation in family medicine as a physician licensure requirement
Peer Review/ Tort Reform
Support:
-Legislation to prohibit the disclosure and discovery of the testimony of a party to a health care quality assurance or peer review proceeding
-Maintaining $127.4 million in funding for the Excess Medical Malpractice Program without changes in eligibility or funding
-Comprehensive Medical Liability Reform measures. Pursue binding arbitration with patients in lieu of litigation and a loser pays tort reform measure
Equitable Payment
Support:
-Legislation to allow health care providers to collectively negotiate
-Comprehensive prior authorization reform measures including bill to require clinical peer reviewers to be licensed/registered/ certified in New York
-Disclosure of health insurer criteria for establishing physician fees and advocate for adequate compensation for primary care providers
-Legislation to limit and provide protections related to insurance plan audits of physician practices and the use of extrapolation in determining recoveries
-Implementation of pay-for-performance programs with physician input and reimbursement of physicians for required data mining, and the creation of a CPT code specific for the task of advocating for patients access to imaging, medications or other lab studies
Advocate:
-For state funding to provide Medicaid-Medicare rate parity for primary care
Other Priorities
Support:
– License reciprocity for instances of practicing medicine
– Multiple pathways to enhanced reimbursement as Medical Homes in the State beyond NCQA
– Legislation or regulation to mandate that the patient copay/coinsurance for a Physical Therapy
– Legislation to prohibit use of healthcare, lifestyle and personal data by insurance companies
Advocate:
-That every school has a school nurse for care of students
– For public investments to achieve broadband access to improve Internet connectivity
Oppose:
-Any legislation to set criterion or requirements for Continuing Education/ training for licensure or re-registration of physicians
-Licensing of naturopaths as naturopathic doctors
-Removal of physician due process through expansion of NYSDOH authority through OPMC