MMA Takes Action Against Senate Budget, Proposal to Keep Provider Tax

The provider tax reared its ugly head again this week at the Capitol as Senate leaders unveiled a budget bill that, similar to the House version, would reduce general fund spending in Health and Human Services by more than $150 million over the next two years.

House Proposes Hike to Tobacco and Alcohol Taxes

House Democratic leadership rolled out a $2.5 billion revenue-raising plan on April 15 that calls for increased taxes on tobacco and alcohol among other sources.

Provider Tax Repeal in Jeopardy; Keep Legislators to Their Word

The MMA distributed an Action Alert on April 15 asking members to send emails opposing the provider tax to state senators.

Primary Care Task Force Ready to Tackle Issue

Thirteen members have been named to an MMA task force that will explore ways to increase Minnesota's primary care physician workforce.

Physicians Encouraged to Access Medicare Quality Reports by April 30

Physicians in medical practices with at least 25 eligible professionals in Minnesota have through April 30 to access the 2011 Medicare Quality and Resource Use Reports (QRUR) at www.QRURinfo.com.

U of M Med Students Honored with Arts Award

Ten University of Minnesota medical students will receive awards at the 2012-2013 Fisch Art of Medicine Student Awards on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mill City Clinic in Minneapolis. The awards allow current University of Minnesota medical students to explore the arts and humanities in ways that are not possible in the conventional medical school curriculum.

National Infant Immunization Week is April 20-27

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), which takes place this year from April 20-27, is designed to raise awareness of the importance of immunizing infants. This year's focus is on providing immunization information to pregnant women. Resources for talking to pregnant women and new parents about immunizations can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health's website. The NIIW toolkit on this website includes key messages for this year's campaign along with other provider resources.

Twin Cities Residents/Fellows - What's on Your mind?

An MMA listening session specifically for Twin Cities area residents and fellows will be offered April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at CRAVE Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. Listening sessions give physicians the opportunity to provide feedback on MMA activities and share their ideas to help shape the future of MMA and of health care in Minnesota. For more information or to register, click here.

Financial Planning for Residents and Fellows

A free two-hour seminar, "Financial Planning and Debt Strategies for Young Physicians," will be offered on May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MMA offices, 1300 Godward St. N.E., Minneapolis. The seminar will help young physicians understand how to rein in student loan debt and begin a disciplined financial planning program. Spouses/guests are welcome and a light dinner will offered. For more information or to register, click here.

Attention: Creative Physicians! 

Fancy yourself a budding Hemingway or Ansel Adams? Then Minnesota Medicine is looking for you. Enter your essay, poem or short story in the 10th annual Medical Musings writing contest by May 3. Or enter your best photo in the annual photography contest by May 10. Winners will be featured in the July issue of the magazine. For more information and to enter, visit the Minnesota Medicine contest website.

Young Physicians: What Do You Wish You Had Learned?

Minnesota Medicine would like to know what you've experienced as you've made the transition from resident to practicing physician. In what ways did you feel unprepared for practice? What do you wish you had known? What would you tell those who will soon be in your shoes? If you are a physician who has been in practice fewer than five years, please click here to answer a couple of questions and share your insights. One of the editors may be in touch with you to learn more for an article in our June issue.

In the April edition of Insights, Will Nicholson, M.D., secretary-treasurer of MEDPAC's board of directors, makes the case for why more physicians should become politically active.

Finally, a policy on policies

After months of waiting to find out which health benefits are essential, insurers are now scrambling to comply with the fed's requirements.