On May 19, Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) leaders participated in the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit by conducting virtual meetings with Congressman Troy Balderson and the offices of Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Rob Portman, Congressman Brad Wenstrup, Congressman Bob Latta, and Congressman Mike Turner.
OAFP Public Policy Committee Chair Sarah Sams, MD; OAFP President-Elect Teresa Zryd, MD; OAFP Immediate Past President Anna McMaster, MD; Public Policy Committee member Christopher “C.J.” Skok, DO; and Executive Vice President Ann Spicer spent the day in virtual calls with these members of Congress advocating for Medicaid to Medicare parity, waiving the deductibles during the pandemic for primary care visits for patients with high deductible health plans, and extending temporary pandemic regulations and payment changes for telehealth.
For those House members who are not already members of the House Primary Care Caucus, the group urged them to consider joining. Advocates thanked Congressman Turner who is already a member of the House Primary Care Caucus.
Thanks to the OAFP members who participated in the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit. These members gave up the majority of their day on May 19 and also spent time in training sessions prior to May 19 scheduling appointments and learning more about the issues they addressed with members of Congress.