2023 Legislative Priorities
The Missouri ACP Health and Public Policy Committee has been working hard to plan the 2023 Advocacy Day, and to identify issues we believe may be impacting Internal Medicine in Missouri. Your feedback is needed to help narrow down the topics list and to select our top priorities for 2023. Please review the descriptions and then click on the link below to complete the survey. Please complete the survey by January 20, 2023.
Also, don't forget to register for Advocacy Day by clicking here!
Also, don't forget to register for Advocacy Day by clicking here!
Texting while driving – Forty-seven states have a complete ban on texting while driving. Missouri allows those over 21 to text while driving. The chapter would advocate for a complete ban on texting while driving.
Needle Exchange Program – Needle exchange programs decrease rates of hepatitis C and HIV infections. They are illegal in Missouri. The chapter would advocate for legislation to establish a needle exchange program.
Missouri Assistant Physician Program – Currently Missouri allows medical school graduates who have not completed residency training to collaborate with a supervising physician and provide care in rural areas. The Chapter would oppose any legislation that might broaden this authority to specialty care and urban areas.
Medicaid Expansion/Preservation – Medicaid Expansion passed in Missouri, but each legislative session brings bills to create obstacles for patients to get or stay on Medicaid, such as work requirements. The Chapter would oppose any legislation that might allow these obstacles to be block coverage of Missourians.
Red Flag Gun Laws – The Chapter would advocate for and support legislation that would allow family members or law enforcement to seek a court order temporarily restricting an individual’s access to firearms when a person shows “red flags” of being a danger to himself or others.
Violence against healthcare workers – In recent years we have seen a rise in violence against healthcare workers. The Chapter would advocate for laws to be established that would protect healthcare workers in similar form to existing laws on crime against police officers and public officials.
Prior Authorization – Prior authorization creates roadblocks and delays in treatment of patients. The Chapter would advocate for legislation that would ease prior authorization requirements for physicians who are routinely approved.
Expanding Medicaid to Postpartum – Missouri’s morbidity and mortality rates for pregnant and postpartum women is higher than the national average, yet moms usually lose coverage 60 days after delivery. The Chapter would advocate to include provisions that permanently extends, and requires, Medicaid coverage continuously for 12 months postpartum.
Supporting Public Health Departments – In 2021 there was an abundance of legislation to remove the ability for public health departments to implement rules/restrictions on communities during public health emergencies. The chapter would support legislation that would allow these programs to maintain their authority, or give more authority back to health departments.
Vaccinations – Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been an increase in legislation to allow for more immunization exceptions for children and adults. The Chapter would advocate to maintain existing vaccination requirements and exceptions for Missourians.
Reproductive Rights – The Dobbs Decision made in June 2022 has created a very difficult position for Missouri physicians due to the lack of clarity for providing care to women in Missouri. The Chapter would support legislation to clarify what healthcare is allowable in Missouri for women in emergent situations.
Transgender Care – A growing number of states are banning gender-affirming health care. The Chapter would oppose legislation that would add restrictions on health care for transgender individuals, and strongly objects to any unnecessary government interference with any health care services.
HIV Prevention Access - In recent years there have been meaningful improvements in our ability to prevent HIV and to manage patients living with HIV. The chapter would oppose legislation that would create obstacles or prevent patients with HIV from receiving PREP.
Needle Exchange Program – Needle exchange programs decrease rates of hepatitis C and HIV infections. They are illegal in Missouri. The chapter would advocate for legislation to establish a needle exchange program.
Missouri Assistant Physician Program – Currently Missouri allows medical school graduates who have not completed residency training to collaborate with a supervising physician and provide care in rural areas. The Chapter would oppose any legislation that might broaden this authority to specialty care and urban areas.
Medicaid Expansion/Preservation – Medicaid Expansion passed in Missouri, but each legislative session brings bills to create obstacles for patients to get or stay on Medicaid, such as work requirements. The Chapter would oppose any legislation that might allow these obstacles to be block coverage of Missourians.
Red Flag Gun Laws – The Chapter would advocate for and support legislation that would allow family members or law enforcement to seek a court order temporarily restricting an individual’s access to firearms when a person shows “red flags” of being a danger to himself or others.
Violence against healthcare workers – In recent years we have seen a rise in violence against healthcare workers. The Chapter would advocate for laws to be established that would protect healthcare workers in similar form to existing laws on crime against police officers and public officials.
Prior Authorization – Prior authorization creates roadblocks and delays in treatment of patients. The Chapter would advocate for legislation that would ease prior authorization requirements for physicians who are routinely approved.
Expanding Medicaid to Postpartum – Missouri’s morbidity and mortality rates for pregnant and postpartum women is higher than the national average, yet moms usually lose coverage 60 days after delivery. The Chapter would advocate to include provisions that permanently extends, and requires, Medicaid coverage continuously for 12 months postpartum.
Supporting Public Health Departments – In 2021 there was an abundance of legislation to remove the ability for public health departments to implement rules/restrictions on communities during public health emergencies. The chapter would support legislation that would allow these programs to maintain their authority, or give more authority back to health departments.
Vaccinations – Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been an increase in legislation to allow for more immunization exceptions for children and adults. The Chapter would advocate to maintain existing vaccination requirements and exceptions for Missourians.
Reproductive Rights – The Dobbs Decision made in June 2022 has created a very difficult position for Missouri physicians due to the lack of clarity for providing care to women in Missouri. The Chapter would support legislation to clarify what healthcare is allowable in Missouri for women in emergent situations.
Transgender Care – A growing number of states are banning gender-affirming health care. The Chapter would oppose legislation that would add restrictions on health care for transgender individuals, and strongly objects to any unnecessary government interference with any health care services.
HIV Prevention Access - In recent years there have been meaningful improvements in our ability to prevent HIV and to manage patients living with HIV. The chapter would oppose legislation that would create obstacles or prevent patients with HIV from receiving PREP.