MMA Board of Directors Action Plans for 2017

ACTION PLAN
OPIOIDS

Tier One:  External

Timeline: December 2016 – December 2017 (13 months)

Objectives: 
1. To educate prescribers (and including staff and PMP delegates) about the substantive provisions of Public Law Chapter 488 and any amendments thereto and related regulations promulgated by DHHS and Licensing Boards (Joint Rule Chapter 21) (Gordon, Andy, Peter with support from Susan and Gail).
2. To provide education to prescribers regarding the appropriate use of opioids (Legal staff and outside consultants).
3. To advocate for implementation of the recommendations of the Maine Opiate Collaborative (MOC) via direct lobbying and utilizing grassroots contact, traditional media and social media.  (Advocacy team).  
4. To lead state house activity regarding any amendments to Chapter 488 and any legislative proposals advancing MOC recommendations or other proposals addressing Maine’s opioid crisis.  These proposals could include bills addressing prevention, harm reduction, treatment or law enforcement.  (Advocacy Team).
5. With grant support, organize and participate in community forums and provider forums throughout the state.  The forums are intended to:

a. Decrease the stigma attached to addiction and substance use disorders
b. Educate the public and health care community regarding addiction, substance use disorders including causation and solutions
c. Provide a forum to hear from the public, persons in recovery and the health care community, and law enforcement.  (Advocacy staff, Susan and consultant Carol Kelly)

Measurable Goals:   
1. Fifty educational presentations reaching a minimum of one thousand Prescribers, PMP delegates and office staff.
2. Meet the requirements of 2017 Academic Detailing contract with MaineCare (Appendix 1).
3. Participate in public hearings and rule-making hearings involving opioid prescribing or treatment of substance use disorders.  Submit at least four op-ed articles and meet with at least three editorial boards.  Promote with social media weekly and with MMA publications monthly.  Distribute at least one thousand summaries of the MOC recommendations.
4. Propose, draft and advocate for at least three recommendations in the MOC report.  Success will be measured by:

a. Number of initiatives
b. Quality and quantity of advocacy on each
c. Number of initiatives that are enacted into law by legislation or rule-making

5. With grant support, initiate or support a minimum of ten community forums and ten provider forums across the state, including at least one forum of each type in each Public Health District.

 

ACTION PLAN

PROFESSIONALISM

Tier One:  Internal

 

Timeline:  January 2017 – December 2017 (12 Months)

Objectives:      

1. To educate members, non-members, and the public regarding what it means to be a professional (a member of a learned profession).
2. To survey physician attitudes about professionalism.
3. To assess and potentially address barriers/challenges to professionalism in the current health environment.

Action:             

1. Draft and conduct appropriate surveys of member opinion on this topic.
2. Draft and solicit articles on professionalism for publication in MMA publications. Those topics could include, but not be limited to:

a. Conflict of Interest
b. Boundary violations
c. Codes of ethics
d. Collegiality
e. Always doing right by the patient

3. Sponsor conference on professionalism on June 17th, 2017.
4. Establish an ad hoc workgroup to examine conflict of interest policies and other issues determined by the Board.

Measurable Goals:
1. Number of surveys implemented and number of physician responses.
2. Number of articles published.
3. Results and evaluations of June 17th conference.
4. Recommendations and results of work groups.

 

ACTION PLAN
HELPING DOCTORS CARE FOR PATIENTS
Tier Two:  Internal

 

Timeline: January 2017 – December 2017 (12 Months)

Objectives:
1. To address the major factors leading to physician burnout and frustration:

a. Health Plan (payor) administrative hassles
b. Workforce shortages
c. Compliance issues
d. Work-Family-Life balance
e. Review the high cost of medication

Action: 

1. Draft and seek legislative sponsorship of a bill to limit, regulate, and standardize health plan prior authorization process.
2. Establish a working group on recruitment and other workforce issues consisting of members, selected MMA staff, and recruiters.
3. Work with partners in Maine and the AMA to review the high cost of prescription drugs and initiate any regulatory or legislative proposals which could potentially positively impact the issue.
4. Continue to advocate for coverage and access to care for all Maine people.

Measurable Goals:
1. Number of regulatory and legislative initiatives proposed.
2. Number of legislative initiatives enacted into law.
3. Recommendations and results of work groups (see 2 above).
4. Results of initiatives on high drug costs.