Please Plan to Attend Physicians' Day at the Legislature on May 26th

With several issues important to physicians still remaining in the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature, the Physicians' Day at the Legislature this coming Thursday could not come at a better time.  With only three three weeks left in the session, legislators will be very busy on Thursday getting ready for the three day Memorial Day weekend.  In fact, it is a four day weekend for the state as Friday is one of the mandated "shut down days" included in the previous budget.  Thursday's events begin with a two-mile run/walk with legislators on the Kennebec River Rail Trail at 7:00 a.m.  Whether you are a runner or not, please consider joining your colleagues at the State House on Thursday.

2011 PHYSICIANS' DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE

State House, Hall of Flags, Second Floor

May 26, 2011, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Speak with your legislators and participate in the legislative process.  Speak up on issues of significance to physicians, such as:  health care reform; Medicaid funding; practice issues, state budget priorities; public health issues (prize-fighting, consumer fireworks, state regulation of chemical substances) and insurance regulation. 

We strongly urge you to attend and invite your colleagues.  Physician  State House visits make a very positive impression on legislators.

In addition to the traditional events in the Hall of Flags, the MMA & MOA will start the day at 7a.m. with a Walk/Run, along the Kennebec River Rail Trail.  All physicians and legislators are welcome.  The Kennebec Valley YMCA's locker rooms will be available to all participants before and after the walk/run.  The starting point and ending point will be the Kennebec River Rail Trail Message Board at Capitol Park, which is located west of the YMCA on the opposite side of the football field.  The participants will walk/run along the trail to Hallowell and back (2 miles).  Come start your morning with a healthy walk/run along the beautiful Kennebec River Rail Trail!

Following the early morning event, physicians will meet in the Hall of Flags of the State House to network with legislators and hear from physician advocates.  The remainder of the day includes observation of the general sessions of the Senate and House and meetings with legislative leadership.  The events of the day are co-sponsored by the Maine Osteopathic Association.

Questions?  Contact Maureen Elwell, (207) 622-3374 ext. 219

Maine Medical Association, melwell@mainemed.com  

Legislative Committee Conference Call Every Tuesday - 8:00 pm

The MMA's Legislative Committee will hold its weekly conference calls on Tuesday, at 8:00 p.m.  Legislative Committee members and specialty society legislative liaisons are strongly encouraged to participate.  Any physician, practice manager, or other staff member who is interested in the MMA's legislative advocacy also is welcome to participate.  It is not necessary to RSVP for the calls.

Please use the following conference call number and passcode.  These will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.

The purpose of the weekly conference calls is to review and finalize the MMA's position on bills printed that week, to hear the views of specialty societies on the new bills or their concerns about any health policy issues, and to discuss the highlights of legislative action that week.  The calls rarely last longer than an hour and usually we can accomplish our business in much less time.

If you have any questions about the conference calls, please contact Andrew MacLean, Deputy EVP at amaclean@mainemed.com or 622-3374, ext. 214.

Conference call number:  1-877-669-3239       

Passcode:  23045263

We are writing to ask for your help with a project investigating the transition of young adults with ASDs from pediatric to adult medical care and their experiences in accessing the adult health care system. The study through the University of Southern Maine will involve participation in a single focus group of medical providers, primary care and specialists, who have any contact with adult patients with autism. 

Separate groups will  be conducted with young adults who have autism and their parents. The information obtained will  be used to design tools and educational materials for use within medical practices.  Your identity as a participant will be confidential and you will not be asked to provide medical information on any patients. A $25 stipend will be paid to each attendee.   

If you are interested in participating, please call Barbara Wirth 207-228-8467 or email her at bwirth@maine.rr.com Thank you for your interest.