Georgia Healthcare Legislative Priorities 2011

On February 11th I had the opportunity to join other primary care physicians at the state Capitol to lobby for healthcare legislation in Georgia. The “Day at the Capitol” was hosted by the “Patient-Centered Physicians Coalition of Georgia.” This group is comprised of members of the Georgia Chapter s of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association and the Georgia OB-Gyn Society.

We learned about key legislative issues facing our state this year. Each group presented its list of priorities.  Unfortunately, as with the nation, Georgia is facing significant fiscal challenges.  We heard from Alan Essig, Executive Director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.  Georgia’s current unemployment rate is 10.2% and the general funds budget is down 14.6 % compared to the pre-recession FY 2009 budget.  Healthcare comprises 20% of the general funds budget.   Education, the largest sector, comprises 53% of Georgia’s budget. Consequently, we are facing cuts to Community Health (3.8% in 2012) and the State’s Medicaid program (1% in 2011).

The legislative priorities identified by the physician coalition include:

• Protect the Medicaid budget from physician cuts

In 2011 there will be a 1% cut in the Medicaid budget—we oppose this cut.  As reviewed by David Cook, Director of the Georgia Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid insures 1.6 million in the state. The ACA calls for an expansion of Medicaid beginning in 2014 to an additional 500,000 uninsured people in our state by 2019. The average Medicaid visit (cpt 99213) is reimbursed at 41 dollars (compared to 72 dollars for Medicare). Medicaid reimbursement rates have been stagnant at this level since 2003.  This reality has had devastating impact on pediatricians and OB-Gyns who practice in rural Georgia and has diminished access for Medicaid patients.

• Support state funding for Patient Centered Medical Home pilot programs (within Medicaid and/or the State Health Benefit program)

Although private insurers have started to fund Medical Home pilot programs, Georgia was not chosen as a location for one of the Medicare-sponsored national pilots.

• Support the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act

This program would create a state wide monitoring program for the prescription of controlled substances. Several other states have similar registry programs that are alleged to have efficacy in reducing the incidence of prescription drug trafficking and abuse.

• Scope of Practice

The physician coalition has safety concerns over aspects of proposed expansion to the scope of practice for non-physician medical providers; for example, the expansion of narcotic prescribing capability to physician assistants and nurse practioners.

• Support the Prompt Pay Act

HB 167 requires that third party managers of health insurance programs be required to pay physicians on time (within 15 days of receipt of claims). Currently 30 to 40% of payers do not abide by this regulation. It was vetoed last year by the governor—apparently despite bipartisan support.

• Support Comprehensive Tort Reform

In 2005, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed SB 3, which placed caps on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice suits at $350,000.  There were other components of this comprehensive tort reform legislation. In March 2010, the limit on noneconomic damages was declared unconstitutional by the Georgia Supreme Court. Other parts of the legislation were upheld.

• Prepare for the Accountable Care Act

Georgia needs to begin preparation for the impact of the ACA.  However, Georgia has been one of the 20 states to file suit against the federal government over its “individual mandate” to purchase health insurance. Georgia currently has the opportunity to establish its own health insurance pools for small business and individuals who are uninsured to select from. If Georgia refuses to participate in the planning process the federal government will step in to design our state’s options. The ACP encourages Georgia legislators to be active and engaged in this process.  Representative Stacey Abrams (D) acknowledged that denial about the reality of the ACA could be a barrier to appropriate state planning.

At “Day at the Capitol” I sat with another internist, two pediatricians and one family practioner—from Albany, Statesboro, Brunswick and Decatur. The topic of conversation at our table was primarily a sharing of stories related to the adoption of electronic health records and the how to meet requirements for “Meaningful Use” payout.  In addition, we spoke of the threat of additional cuts to Georgia Medicaid, particularly in light of the ACA expansion of 2014. This certainly remains at the forefront of concern amongst primary care physicians in our state, who are both concerned about access for their patients, but also concerned about their practices’ ability to thrive if faced with further cuts.  As is pointed out in a recent New England Journal of Medicine Perspective piece, Georgia is one of eight states projected to face the biggest challenge with the ACA expansion.  As noted, in these states “demand for care by newly insured patients could outstrip the supply of primary care providers.”  Overall the day was very well organized. We had a great turnout and I was happy to see my fellow physicians moving beyond partisan politics to advocate for health in Georgia at a grassroots level.