Legislative update Election 2016: How health-related initiatives in several states fared In this year’s election, voters decided on measures that have the potential to impact wellness and health care delivery in several states. Nov. 9, 2016Wednesday The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics health care policy In this year’s election, voters made decisions on measures that have the potential to impact wellness and health care delivery in several states. Here’s a quick rundown: Single-payer health care: In Colorado, voters rejected an amendment that would have created a universal health care program for the state and levied a 10% payroll tax to help pay for it. Medi-Cal: Voters in California, by way of Proposition 52, put in place a requirement that any changes to the hospital fee program that helps fund Medi-Cal, the state’s low-income insurance program, must be approved by a majority of voters or a two-thirds majority state legislature vote. Drug prices: California voters rejected Proposition 61, which would have required state agencies to pay the same rates for prescription medicines as the Veterans Affairs Department does. Medical device tax: In Nevada, voters passed a measure that will exempt certain medical devices from the state sales tax. According to KOLO News Now, the Medical Patient Tax Relief Act must be approved by voters again in 2018 before it can become a constitutional amendment. Physician-assisted suicide: Colorado became the sixth state to legalize physician-assisted suicide, also known as medical aid in dying, when voters approved Proposition 106. Medical marijuana: Four states—Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota—passed ballot measures approving legalizing marijuana for medical use only. Tobacco taxes: California voters approved a $2-per-pack increase on tobacco taxes, while those in Colorado, Missouri, and North Dakota rejected proposed tobacco tax hikes. More in Advocacy Students and health policy: The importance of getting involved and where to start Osteopathic medical students have a variety of opportunities available to them when it comes to participating in and influencing the health care policies that will directly impact their future patients. AOA responds to ‘The View’ regarding misleading comments “Comments implying that DOs are not medical doctors could not be further from the truth,” reads the AOA response to producers of the show. Previous articlePremiums for ACA exchange plans expected to jump 25% on average Next articleThe surprising way using social media can benefit physicians
Students and health policy: The importance of getting involved and where to start Osteopathic medical students have a variety of opportunities available to them when it comes to participating in and influencing the health care policies that will directly impact their future patients.
AOA responds to ‘The View’ regarding misleading comments “Comments implying that DOs are not medical doctors could not be further from the truth,” reads the AOA response to producers of the show.
We are seeing more and more a trend toward the “legislative” practice of medicine. We must become more active in political affairs so that physicians, not politicians establish the quality of care out patients need! Nov. 17, 2016, at 10:50 pm Reply