The first deadline for viable bills hits March 21, so legislation that has yet to gain traction will likely be tabled until next session. Fortunately, most of the MMA-backed bills are continuing to move forward.
On March 17, Riverwood Centers in east-central Minnesota closed its doors, stranding thousands of mental health patients. The MMA is asking all physicians in the area to help in whatever way possible.
Pieces are falling into place for the MMA's new Annual Meeting with the selection of a national speaker. The meeting will be presented Sept. 19 and 20 at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd.
MMA Leaders Petition U.S. Senators on SGR
MMA leadership sent a letter to Minnesota U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken on March 20 urging the lawmakers to support a full repeal of the flawed Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula. MMA members can help in the effort by sending an Action Alert to the senators as well.
At its March 15 meeting, the MMA's Board of Trustees voted not to support the current medical marijuana legislation working its way through the state Capitol.
Minnesota medical students will learn where the next step in their medical education will occur on March 21 as part of Match Day.
Day at the Capitol Draws Robust Crowd
Sen. John Marty meets with MMA members: Mac Baird, M.D., and Laurel Ries, M.D.
Dozens of physicians, medical students and residents descended upon the state Capitol in St. Paul on March 13 as part of the MMA's annual Day at the Capitol event. Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmount) spoke to the group on a range of topics including advanced practice registered nurses' push for independent practice, prohibiting minors from using tanning devices and medical marijuana.
MMA Partners with WMS to Offer ICD-10 Training
Minnesota physicians can learn the fundamentals of the new ICD-10 coding system from two online, on-demand educational programs offered by the MMA in partnership with the Wisconsin Medical Society (WMS). The programs, which were developed by the WMS, provide a general overview for all physicians along with specific information about how ICD-10 will affect 20 different specialties. CME credit is available.
Stearns Benton Continues "Circle of Health" Efforts
The Stearns Benton Medical Society's "Central Minnesota Circle of Health" kicked off its 2014-2015 campaign last week. The group will focus on medication safety this year with initial work on safe disposal of medication, as well as educating the public on the importance of carrying an up-to-date medication list. Last year's campaign, which focused on reducing the number of whooping cough cases in the community, wrapped up with a recent distribution of 16 free Tdap vaccinations at the 4th annual Project Homeless Connect.
The MMA Podcast
Listen to MMA advocacy staff discuss our top priorities for the 2014 legislative session on the MMA Podcast. Topics include: Regulating e-cigarettes; ensuring an integrated team approach to health care with advanced practice registered nurses; prohibiting minors from using tanning beds; and fighting prescription opioid misuse.
Listen to MMA advocacy staff discuss our top priorities for the 2014 legislative session on 
