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2019-2020 A Year in Review
2019-20 – A Year in Review
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Your MAFP leadership has been very active in 2019 and it is reflected in their annual reports that are included in this issue of the Missouri Family Physician magazine. Your Academy continues to advocate for family physicians and their patients at the local, state, and national levels. We serve medical students, family medicine residents, and family physicians in a variety of practice or academic settings.
Match day in 2020 was a huge success for family physicians. With a total of 82 PGY-1 residency slots available, 73 were filled. The MAFP works with nine residencies (six allopathic and three osteopathic) in Missouri. The six medical schools with family medicine programs do not include campus expansions by Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences campus in Joplin, and the University of Missouri Columbia campus in Springfield. The MAFP staff met with five residencies and two medical schools to discuss organized medicine, advocacy training, priority legislative issues, and the benefits of membership in the MAFP. With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we are continuing this work, but in a different manner than face to face.
The MAFP mission statement specifically calls for Advocacy. We represent our members on a wide array of policy issues and legislation. From medical malpractice to scope of practice issues, your voice is heard in the policy-making and legislative affairs. There were 40 attendees at the Advocacy Day which includes a detailed legislative briefing, legislator meetings, and advocacy training on current bills and family medicine priorities. In addition, a legislative briefing was live-streamed with six participants. Three Speak Out opportunities were available for those who were unable to attend: 21 messages were sent on Medicaid Expansion, nine messages on the preceptor tax credit Continued on page 12
Continued from page 10 legislation, and ten messages opposing the expansion of the assistant physician pathway to licensure. The MAFP Advocacy Commission, staff and governmental affairs consultants, R.J. Scherr and Associates, lead these efforts with strategically sound decision-making. As a bi-partisan organization, we work to maintain solid relationships with lawmakers at all levels in both parties. We have supported your stance on scope of practice issues, medical malpractice, preceptor tax credit, access to quality health care, Medicaid Expansion, effective opioid prescribing, and many other bills.
This year’s legislative session was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MAFP rallied the troops to present hearing testimony on the preceptor tax credit bill, and the measure that would create a pathway to licensure for assistant physicians during the brief session. We held an informational meeting with legislators in the Kansas City area to discuss GME and workforce issues. We hope to hold similar meetings with other residency programs in the state.
We continue our work with the Missouri Healthcare Workforce Coalition in an effort to fill the pipeline of future family physicians through preceptor tax credits, precepting resources, data collection, GME, and loan repayment. Kathy Pabst, MAFP Executive Director, leads the preceptor tax credit working group. In addition, Sarah Cole, DO and Ed Kraemer, MD represent family physicians on this coalition. Another coalition where the MAFP is well represented is the Missouri Immunization Coalition. The MAFP received a grant from the FamilyMedicine Philanthropic Consortium to develop a website for this organization. MAFP Board Member Kate Lichtenberg, DO serves as the Secretary and MAFP Executive Director Kathy Pabst serves as the Treasurer. This duo will represent family physicians well as we work to increase immunizations across the lifespan. MAFP Alternate Board Member Kurt Bravata, MD also represents the MAFP on the Missouri Opioid Policy Advisory Council.
COVID-19 has shined the light on racial disparities in primary care and the management of chronic diseases. The MAFP was the recipient of an AAFP Foundation grant that identified resources and champions to improve the social determinants of health. COVID-19 is also the perfect example for the need for immunizations. The MAFP, along with the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Pfizer, joined forces to start the Missouri Immunization Coalition.
Other advocacy initiatives include:
• Submitted a letter to the Missouri Health Insurance
Innovation Task Force asking for improved access to affordable insurance options and access to health care services within the state, especially rural areas, while reducing the state’s uninsured rates. • Supported legislation that would increase the tobacco cessation state budget from $50,000 to $300,000 –which is still underfunded. • Signed onto an AAFP letter supporting teaching health centers. Missouri has one center in Joplin (psychiatry). • Amended the bylaws to allow for virtual annual meetings.
Every Missourian has been impacted by COVID-19 and your Academy is no different. Our focus is to help you serve your patients during this pandemic and we achieve this through: • Sending a letter to Governor Parson explaining why midlevel provider scope of practice expansions as a result of COVID-19 does not need to be extended or made permanent and that any changes should be through the legislative process • Obtaining a small amount of PPE and distributing it to members in need • Holding a webinar on CARES funding • Providing resources on the MAFP website • Sending weekly e-newsletters with the most current information available at that time
MAFP introduced two resolutions at the 2019 Congress of Delegates: Resolution 505 –Eliminating Barriers in Rural Communities for Cardiac Rehabilitation (Passed); and Resolution 201 –Survey AAFP Members on Legislative and Regulatory Issues (Failed). Your delegates at this meeting were Keith Ratcliff, MD and Todd Shaffer, MD (Dr. Shaffer served as chair of the Health of the Public and Science Reference Committee). Alternate Delegates were Peter Koopman, MD and Kate Lichtenberg, DO (Dr. Lichtenberg served as the observer for the Practice Enhancement Reference Committee). Lastly, the Missouri Chapter was recognized by AAFP and received the State Government in Advocacy Award for our efforts on the assistant physician regulatory process and legislative efforts.
MAFP Political Action Committee (PAC)
President of the MAFP-PAC, Mark Schabbing, MD, FAAFP spearheaded an initiative to raise funds for the MAFP-PAC. With the 2020 elections right around the corner, this initiative is critical to supportlegislators who are champions forfamilymedicine under the dome. MAFP-PAC donations increased 7.5% as a result of this campaign –it is never too late to make a donation!
Education
The MAFP Education Commission and team works to deliver CME you need to be better physicians and improve patient and practice results.
The Show Me Family Medicine Conference attracted 70 attendees with 11 speakers and 13.5 CME hours offered. The Annual Fall Conference drew 171 attendees with nine speakers and 11.75 CME hours. In addition, a Knowledge Self-Assessment was offered on The Well Child to help with your American Board of Family Medicine Certification. Residents and students are introduced to the MAFP by attending these conferences complimentary. Your donations to the Family Health Foundation of Missouri provides the funding source for our efforts to recruit the next generation of family physicians.
Membership
Your Member Services Commission and state chapter is on the move with continued increases in membership. We have shown strong and consistent growth over the last 15 years.
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In addition, newawardswereinitiated thisyeartorecognizethe efforts of Missouri family physicians and residents: Distinguished Service Award, Exemplary Teaching Award, Outstanding Resident, and a stipend for contract review or financial planning for a 3rd year resident.
Students and residents are the key to our future workforce and the Academy supported medical students interested in family medicine from two medical schools to attend the 2020 Society of Student Run Free Clinics conference. In addition, the MAFP obtained a grant from the American Board of Family Medicine to enhance our recruitment of family medicine residents and students.
Member communications includes a quarterly magazine, Missouri Family Physician; a monthly e-newsletter, Show Me State Update; and a monthly blog, Insights.
Financial Review
The MAFP Board of Directors approved the annual budget based on the strategic plan. These initiatives are important to carry out the vision of the membership to ensure the growth and relevance of the academy. Lisa Mayes, DO, MAFP Secretary/ Treasurer, provides oversight of the financial transaction of the Academy. She ensures the integrity of the fiscal affairs of the Academy, including overseeing the budget development and regular financial reporting. An annual audit is completed every four years and the next audit will be completed on the 2020 transactions.
The MAFP earns its revenue from membership dues, conference registration fees, grants, and advertising. Based on the 2020 budget, membership dues comprise 67% while education is 23% of the total budgeted income. Budgeted expenses include administration (58%), governance (11%), advocacy (9%), member services (3%), education (14%), and communications/publications (5%).
Family Health Foundation of Missouri
Foundation fundraising events included a silent auction, raffle, and wine pull. A total of $4,115 was raised through these activities. These funds were used to support the summer externship program, leadership opportunities, and conference attendance. The Foundation also received a matching grant from the AAFP Foundation to fund the four summer externship experiences.
