PAFP Responds to Amazon Clinic Expansion
Last week, Amazon announced the launch of its long-expected Amazon Clinic, a virtual health care platform now available to residents in some areas of Pennsylvania. PAFP President, Jason Woloski, MD, FAAFP, has issued a statement underscoring the importance of protecting the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians in light of emerging technological solutions and health care options.
ADVOCACY UPDATE Prior Authorization Reform approved by Governor, becomes law
On Oct. 26, the Pennsylvania House and Senate unanimously passed historic prior authorization reform. Senate Bill 225 represents the most meaningful patient and consumer protection reform taken up in the Commonwealth in more than 20 years. While the bill doesn't eliminate prior authorization, it makes significant improvements to help streamline and bring transparency to the process for providers and patients. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill into law as Act 146 of 2022 on Nov. 4. Read a summary of the bill and PAFP's media release.
PA Supreme Court rescinds rule on venue - PAFP responds
On August, 25, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned its 2003 rule requiring that medical malpractice cases be filed in the county where the alleged event occurred, setting up the potential return of venue shopping. PAFP President, Jason Woloski, MD, FAAFP, expressed the Academy's disappointment, stating in part, "We fear this decision will
increase medical liability insurance costs for many family physicians,
negatively impacting patient access to quality primary health care across the
Commonwealth.” Read Dr. Woloski's full statement.
Save the Date: Family Medicine Essentials Summit - Spring 2023
In the spring and fall, one-day Family Medicine Essentials Summits offer the state-mandated child abuse recognition and reporting training (ACT 31) and opioid and pain management education (ACT 124) PAFP members need for each two-year licensure cycle. The Summits offer additional CME sessions that cover a variety of important topics, all of which count toward patient safety requirements. The next FM Essentials Summit will be held at Camelback Mountain Resort on April 22, 2023, in conjunction with the PAFP's Annual Business Meeting (see below) and Annual Research Day. More details coming soon.
Save the Date: PAFP Annual Business Meeting
All PAFP members are encouraged to attend and participate in the PAFP's Annual Business Meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the FM Essentials Summit at Camelback Mountain Resort on April 22, 2023. Annual Business Meeting activities include: election of PAFP leadership, convocation of new Fellows (FAAFP), PAFP and PAFP Foundation updates, installation of the new PAFP President, and the announcement of Family Physician of the Year, Annual Public Health and Annual Exemplary Teaching awards. You do not have to attend the full-day CME event to attend the Annual Business Meeting. More details coming soon.
Save the Date: PAFP Annual Research Day
PAFP's Research Day is a showcase for students, residents, fellows, faculty and community physicians to share their original research projects, QI projects, case presentations, community and public health projects and compete for cash prizes. Each year, Research Day is held in conjunction with the spring Family Medicine Essentials Summit — this year at Camelback Mountain Resort on April 22, 2023. See more.
Save the Date: Dewey Beach Summer 2023!
Mark your calendars early — PAFP CME is heading to Dewey Beach in 2023! Please join us June 11-15, 2023, at the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, Delaware, for our Summer CME Conference, which will offer more than 25 credits during half-day educational blocks that leave plenty of free time for sunshine and social events. Complete details about room rates and registration will be coming your way in the near future. Keep an eye on your email for more coming soon ... this program will fill fast.
Report highlights need for increased investment in Primary Care
PAFP recognizes the work of the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) in response to House Resolution 625 of 2020 that called for an examination of medical student choice in primary care within Pennsylvania’s nine medical schools. Among other recommendations, the JSGC Report calls for greater investment in and expansion of the state’s existing primary care pipeline programs, which aligns with the PAFP’s work to advance the specialty of family medicine within the Commonwealth. Read the report.
