The 63rd AAFP Congress of Delegates recently met in Denver under sunny blue skies.  Our Maine delegation included Ron Blum of Patten and Dieter Kreckel of Rumford, delegates, and President Elizabeth Mock of  Bangor, and Vice President Tom bugbee of Blue Hill, alternate delegates, as well as our Executive Director, Debra Halbach.  Fifty-nine resolutions on a wide variety of subjects were vetted through five 8 member Reference Committees and acted upon by the Congress.  Drs. Mock and Blum were selected to serve on the Reference Committee on Practice Enhancement and the Reference Committee on Health of the Public and Science, respectively. Besides debating issues and setting AAFP Policy, the attendees elected Board members and officers (see accompanying article), and heard messages from the Academy leadership, awardees, and distinguished visitors, including Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin FAAFP of Alabama.  A Town Hall Meeting Sunday night, the pre-election reception Monday evening, dinner as guests of the Georgia delegation Tuesday, and the Annual Delegates Dinner Wednesday evening made for four busy, but productive, days.

            Several resolutions prompted contentious debate.  Proposals to terminate or not renew the contract with Consumer Alliance Program (CAP) partner Coca-Cola were rejected, while the Congress called for due diligence in forming CAP partnerships, as well as ongoing re-evaluation of the Program.  A resolution to separate AAFP and state memberships was rejected, while leadership and education in Alternate Care Organizations was encouraged, as was efforts to have the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services  re-evaluate the burdensome signature requirement.

            Social issues that foster a range of personal opinions seem always to generate intense Congressional debate.  Resolutions to support the repeal of the military policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell and to support "full civil marriage equality" provided ample cause.  Both were ultimately rejected, the first after members of the Uniformed Services Chapter eloquently called for its defeat, and the latter because delegates felt existing Academy policy already addressed the issue.  Efforts to prohibit the sale of tobacco in the same locale where healthcare and health counseling are provided and to gather information on health outcomes and cost effectiveness of nurse practitioners' practice were among the others adopted.        

            Your Maine chapter, with the encouragement of Ron Blum and the AAFP Commission on Health of the Public and Science, on which he serves, and with the co-sponsorship of the New Mexico chapter, submitted a resolution "Improving Nutrition in the Workplace" which encourages healthy dietary options in workplace cafeterias and vending machines and workplace programs that further support good nutrition.  After testimony by Tom Bugbee, it was voted into national AAFP policy without dissent.  While Dr. Blum's term on the Commission ends this  year, Maine members are encouraged to apply for service in the variety of opportunities provided by the AAFP, that our voice may continually be heard.  Contact Deb Halbach or Ron for more information on how to get involved.  It is a professionally and personally rewarding experience.