Gun Bill Brings Physicians into the Conversation

A bill introduced at the state Legislature Jan. 31 calls for law enforcement officials to ask physicians to determine whether a patient with a criminal past is mentally fit to acquire a firearm.

Executive Committee Weighs in on Exchange, BHP

At its Feb. 4 meeting, MMA's executive committee gave its support for an "active purchaser" model for Minnesota's health insurance exchange as well as a Basic Health Plan (BHP) as long as it is not paid for through the Health Care Access Fund, which is partially funded by the provider tax.

The MMA's Dave Renner addresses a group of physicians at Day at the Capitol on Feb. 7.

Physicians Have Their Day at the Capitol

Physicians from across Minnesota gathered in St. Paul on Feb. 7 for MMA's annual Day at the Capitol event to meet with their state senators and representatives. For photos, visit MMA's Facebook page.  

MMA Forum to Discuss Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare

The MMA will host a town hall forum on the future of Minnesota's public programs on March 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Minneapolis.

Gov. Dayton Touches Several Health Care Topics in Speech

In his State of the State speech on Feb. 6, Gov. Mark Dayton covered a range of health care topics from public programs to the state's health insurance exchange.

Discount Available for Members to Attend MMGMA Conference

The Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA) is offering MMA members the opportunity to attend its winter 2013 conference scheduled for March 5 and 6 at the St. Paul River Centre for about half the registration price.

Honoring Choices Minnesota Goes to Washington

Two MMA members traveled to Washington, D.C., Jan. 28-29 to represent Honoring Choices Minnesota at the National Summit on Advance Illness Care conference. The contingent included Honoring Choices Minnesota Medical Director Kent Wilson, M.D., Associate Medical Director Ken Kephart, M.D., and Sue Schettle, project director and CEO of the Twin Cities Medical Society.

Two MMA Physicians Recognized by St. Cloud Times

Julie K. Anderson, M.D., and David L. Smith, M.D., were among five young leaders chosen by the St. Cloud Times for its annual "5 under 40" recognition. Anderson is a family physician in St. Cloud and is the current president of Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians; Smith is a pediatrician in Sartell. For the entire article, click here.

Humanitarian Physician to Speak at Nobel Peace Prize Forum

Paul Farmer, M.D., a co-founder of Partners in Health and chair of the Global Health and Social Medicine Department at Harvard Medical School, will speak at the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 9 at 3:30 p.m. at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Farmer is considered a leader in health and human rights, and is known for his humanitarian work around the globe. For more information, click here.