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The Departments of Legal Affairs and Policy Development, and Government Affairs direct the state legislative and lobbying efforts of the Iowa Medical Society. We are responsible for the coordination and development of policy positions, grassroots advocacy campaigns and legislative updates, including the IMS Advocate.
On Monday, April 1, all Medicare services provided by physicians will be subject to a 2 percent payment cut under the federal budget sequestration. The sequestration is required by the Budget Control Act that was signed into law in August 2011. It was originally intended as an incentive for the so-called...
Michael Romano, MD, Council Bluffs, submitted a guest opinion piece that was published in the The Daily NonPareil on March 1 that urges lawmakers to support Governor Terry Branstad’s proposals to improve Iowa’s medical malpractice system. Dr. Romano said the current system is costly and inefficient for physicians and patients. He explained...
Marygrace Elson, MD, Iowa City, submitted a guest opinion column that was published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen on March 1 that talks about the need for reforms to the state’s medical malpractice system. Dr. Elson said the Iowa Legislature needs to stop the practice of defensive medicine and protect women’s...
On Friday, March 1, the automatic sequestration of federal spending is scheduled to take effect. The sequester was originally set to begin on January 1, 2013, under provisions of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which charged a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the so-called “super committee”)...
IMS President Robert Lee, MD, submitted a guest opinion piece that was published in the Des Moines Register on February 21 that addresses the need for the Iowa Legislature to pass reforms to the state’s malpractice system. In his essay, Dr. Lee stated that “Governor Branstad’s proposals on tort reform should be applauded and could...
A new report issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost to eliminate Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is just over half the cost of repeal in 2012. The AMA and physicians nationwide are calling for repeal of the flawed formula and transitioning to new health care...
An energetic group of over 100 Iowa physicians and medical students gathered at the Capitol on February 6 to talk with lawmakers about issues affecting physicians and their patients. This was the second grassroots event IMS has organized recently with other specialty and medical societies. After meeting for a quick boxed lunch and briefing at the Iowa...
The Iowa Board of Medicine (IBM) is proposing four legislative changes, three of which IMS opposes in their current form. These proposals are now being drafted into bill form.
Mandated inquiry of Iowa’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) database.
Under this proposal, pharmacists and prescribers would be required to inquire of the...
When the 85th Iowa General Assembly convenes on Monday, January 14, health care issues will be a topic of much discussion. From decisions regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act and whether Iowa will take part in Medicaid expansion, to medical liability reform and physician workforce shortages,...
In an effort to boost primary care physician participation in the Medicaid program, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for an increase in Medicaid rates (to Medicare levels) for E/M and select vaccine administration codes when billed by a qualifying physician in calendar years 2013 and 2014.
Qualifying...
