Advocacy

MSD’s Political Advocacy is a multi-faceted program intended to:

  • Represent, promote and defend the interests of physicians and their patients in the halls of government;
  • Educate and advise lawmakers and officials on medical issues that affect our community;
  • Establish relationships with and evaluate elected officials; and
  • Provide members the tools they need to stay current on the laws and regulations that affect their practices and to make informed decisions in the ballot booth.
AMA Health Care Advocacy

 The MSD Advocacy 101 deck is a great way to learn more about engaging your practice in advocacy.  For more information, on MSD’s advocacy initiatives, contact Lisa Gruss at lisa.gruss@medsocdel.orgAdvocacy 101 for Physicians.

Legislative Updates




Legislative Advisory #46

Bill Chart as of 11/2024

Legislative Wrap up for 2024 – 7/2/2024

Legislative Action Alert – Contact Your Senator on SB 10

Legislative Action Alert - Prior Authorization SB 10

ARCHIVES

Legislative Priorities

MSD's Top Priorities
-Prior Authorization
-Primary Care Reform
-Educational Transparency/Misappropriation 

MSD Resolutions

Resolutions presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting as follows:

Two resolutions were presented to the Council for consideration. A third resolution was submitted and considered a late resolution. The Council, by at least a ¾ affirmative vote, accepted the late resolution as an item of business. The resolves of each resolution, any adopted amendments to them, and final action are incorporated as follows.

Resolutions were numbered and presented in the order in which they were received.

Acceptable Alternatives for Prescribing (Resolution 01-A2024)
Discussion of Resolution was Tabled
RESOLVED, that the various forms of prescribing modality be acceptable alternatives, including the traditional written prescriptions and phone prescriptions, as well as e-prescribing.Unfortunately, the author of the resolution was not present to answer questions by Council members. It was also noted that the resolve does not provide a plan to enforce or act upon. The motion to table discussion of the resolution was adopted.

Medical Society of Delaware Support of the State of Delaware Uniform Determination of Death Act (Resolution 02-A2024)
Adopted as amended

RESOLVED, that the Medical Society of Delaware endorse the new Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Consensus Guideline as the accepted medical standard for determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Medical Society of Delaware advocates that all health care facilities engaged in the determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria in Delaware embrace the new Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Consensus Guideline as the medical standard until such time more current standards are adopted by a national consensus.


Confirming
the Use of Evidence-Based Care for Health Policy Decision Making (Late Resolution Accepted by Council as Item of Business - Resolution 03-A2024)

The resolution was adopted with Whereas clauses amended. The Resolve clauses were adopted with no changes.
RESOLVED, that the Medical Society of Delaware advocates to our federal legislators to properly vet any potential candidate for confirmation in a thorough and nonpartisan manner and consider the short- and long-term effects of their decisions; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Medical Society of Delaware closely monitors the federal landscape and advocate for state legislation that will protect Delawareans.

 

In an unprecedented request, the Council agreed to accept the resolution if two Whereas clauses were modified so that specific names of President-Elect Trump’s nominations to national health care seats were removed. The author of the resolution agreed and the two Whereas clauses are stricken from the resolution.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Dr. Varipapa addressed the Council and provided an overview of the activities and meetings he has been involved with, and encouraged participation in events, the Mission Appeal, DELPAC, and joining committees.

ABSOLUTION RESOLUTION

The Council adopted the following Resolution:

RESOLVED, that each and all the resolutions, acts, and proceeding of the Executive Board of the Medical Society of Delaware heretofore adopted since the last meeting of the Council of the Medical Society of Delaware as shown by the records of the minutes and all the acts of the officers and Executive Board of the Society in carrying out and promoting the purposes, objectives, and interests of this Society since the last Council meeting are approved and ratified and hereby made the acts and deeds of the Medical Society of Delaware.

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Informational reports were submitted to the Council from MSD’s committees, sections, subsidiaries, and charitable foundations, as well as reports from the Delaware Delegation to the American Medical Association and Delaware medical specialty societies. The reports remain on file at the Medical Society of Delaware office.

2024 Annual Meeting Summary