2023 MN Legislative Session: Wins for Patients & Primary Care

The 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session has ended. In addition to passing a balanced budget for the next two-year period, the Minnesota Legislature passed many bills that the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) strongly supported, including the All-Payer Claims Database update, audio-only telehealth coverage, rural health care workforce funding, firearm safety measures and more.

While this is being referred to as a historic session for the number of bills passed, it was clearly a good (policy) year for family physicians and their patients.

House of Delegates 2023 Recap

Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) members—family physicians, resident physicians and medical students—from across Minnesota attended the 2023 MAFP House of Delegates (HOD) on May 6 in Duluth (or online), where members deliberated and voted on resolutions—written motions that guide the work of the MAFP. Election results were also announced for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors.

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING & THE ROLE OF FAMILY MEDICINE

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, American College of Gastroenterology and American Cancer Society are among the groups with updated recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer, lowering the age to begin screening to age 45.

We asked James Hougas III, MD, FAAFP, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, to share his thoughts on the updated recommendations on colorectal cancer screening and about his experience as a family physician who performs colonoscopies in practice.

MN Legislative Update: Wins for Primary Care, Firearm Safety & Paid Leave

Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) lobbyist Dave Renner, CAE, shares an update on the legislative session.

The Minnesota Legislature is set to adjourn on May 22, 2023. With the time left in session, the bulk of the work is on finalizing the state’s budget and reconciling differences between the Senate and House in conference committees.

Work continues on the Health and Human Services budget as well as firearm safety legislation, a no-cost primary care study and paid family and medical leave.

Lead and Advocate for Family Medicine

In the spring edition of Minnesota Family Physician magazine, outgoing Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians President Alex Vosooney, MD, encourages Minnesota’s family physicians to keep leading and advocating for our profession.