AAFP Federal Advocacy Update, December 2022

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) federal advocacy team shares an update about efforts to avert Medicare payment cuts and streamline prior authorization processes; recommendations on cybersecurity policies in health care; work to increase vaccine uptake; and more.

Measles on the Rise in Minnesota

GUEST POST: Twenty-one Minnesota children have become ill with measles in the Twin Cities area since June 2022. The case count will likely increase due to recent exposures in school and child care settings as well as in unvaccinated children who have recently traveled to countries where measles is endemic. In this guest post, the Minnesota Department of Health shares reminders on actions health care providers can take to help prevent future cases of measles.

MN Physicians Urge Minnesotans to Get Vaccinated

Earlier this week, MAFP member and former Minnesota House Representative Alice Mann, MD, MPH, joined a group of Minnesota physicians and health care workers from across the state at Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center in Minneapolis. The group shared stories to help shed light on what’s happening in Minnesota hospitals (with the current surge and capacity and workforce issues) and asked Minnesotans to, once again, help slow the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety & Effectiveness

We recognize there is A LOT of information out there regarding COVID-19 vaccines. It can feel overwhelming; and, unfortunately, not all of it is accurate.

Here’s what we know: vaccines are safe, effective and our number one tool at preventing serious illness and death related to COVID-19.

This post includes links to resources and trusted sources on vaccine safety, effectiveness and FAQs.

We Need You to Join the Fight Against the Delta Variant

The Delta variant is now the dominant strain across Minnesota (and the U.S.): it’s more contagious and may cause more severe illness than past variants (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We are seeing infections and hospitalizations increasing again—and, in turn, our health system is being strained.

We know many of you are SO tired and have done your part in the past to limit the spread and fight this pandemic. Unfortunately, the more people in our communities who don’t do their part, the more the virus will mutate (change) and cause problems for all of us.

Once again, we’re hearing from family physicians across Minnesota: They are tired. They are struggling. They are fighting for you. But, they need YOU to join the fight!