The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians.
Read on for this week’s updates and contact Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman with questions or for ways to get involved.
May Issue of AAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds Available
- Family Medicine Advocates Visit Capitol Hill
- AAFP Supports Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
- Primary Care for America Brings Together Healthcare Leaders, Innovators
- America’s Leading Physician Groups Advocate for Access and Workforce Priorities
- AAFP Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
Debt Relief Deal Reached
Source: OhioHealth June 2023 Government Relations Newsletter
President Biden and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) recently reached an agreement to suspend the debt limit through Wednesday, January 1, 2025. In reaching this agreement, the President and Speaker took a significant step forward in averting an unprecedented economic default, if Congress can approve the legislation before June 5. After the deal was agreed to, the House of Representatives passed the debt limit legislation on May 31. The House vote united a swath of Republicans and Democrats, overcoming fierce opposition from conservative Republican and progressive Democratic lawmakers.
In addition to establishing the spending limits, the legislation will rescind billions in unobligated balances of funding provided in previously enacted COVID relief legislation, as well through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) enacted in the last Congress. In addition to rescinding unobligated balances specifically related to the COVID response, the legislation also would rescind unobligated funds in the ARP for the National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers, and other programs.
Notably, the legislation does not include House-passed Medicaid work requirements or make other changes to the Medicaid program that had been under consideration during the negotiations. However, the legislation does create temporary new work requirements for both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, assistance for certain populations. The hurdles are not over yet. Senate leaders will need to whip votes or cut their own deal with conservatives in their chamber to get the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk on time for the nation to avoid economic default.
Family Physicians, AAFP Flex Advocacy Muscles at U.S. Capitol
Source: AAFP Blog: A Word From the President
The 2023 Family Medicine Advocacy Summit brought nearly 300 family physicians, residents, and students to our nation’s capital to advocate for policies that support primary care practices and help us better care for our patients. It was a great way to start the summer and only reinforced my commitment to advocating for family medicine!
Speakers, including Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, Representative Yadira Caraveo and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Deputy Administrator Jon Blum, outlined critical legislative and regulatory issues that stand to impact family medicine. But more importantly, they shared a universal message for family physicians: You, too, are advocates. Read more on the AAFP website.