THE PATIENT'S ADVOCATE

WHO ARE WE:
Family physicians are the key providers of comprehensive primary health care, from cradle to grave, for millions of Wisconsin citizens. Latest data indicate that 2,234 specialists in family medicine are currently in active practice in Wisconsin , making family physicians the largest single specialty physician group in the state by a large margin .
As a recognized medical specialty, family medicine trains physicians to specialize in providing continuing and comprehensive health care, for patients of all ages. The specialty of family medicine integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences, encompassing all organ systems and disease entities, and treats the patient as a whole person.

WHO WE SERVE:
Family physicians are the cornerstone of medical care for many Wisconsinites not only because of what they do, but also because of where they live and work. Many family physicians have chosen to work in rural or urban areas that would otherwise be woefully underserved. The availability and accessibility of physicians has long been an issue of concern for rural Wisconsin and urban areas where low-income citizens have been underserved for generations. Family medicine has played a key role in bringing appropriate health care to these populations.

UNIQUELY QUALIFIED:
Because of our skills, training, and commitment to our patients and this specialty of medicine, we as family physicians are in a unique position to understand and advocate for the needs of our patients. The family physician is usually the patient's first contact with the health care system and is in a position to form a unique and lasting bond with that patient and, true to their name, with that patient's family . These relationships often become multi-generational, adding a further dimension to the physician's understanding of the patient's needs and the ability of the health care system to address those needs.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

ACADEMY SETS FUTURE LEGISLATIVE GOALS

Patient-Centered Medical Home top priority

While the 2007-08 Wisconsin legislative session ended only a few short months ago, the WAFP is already preparing for the next legislative season – which begins in January 2009.

With the recent start of another beautiful Wisconsin summer, the short, cold days of January seem a long way off, but the New Year will be here before we know it – and with it a new legislative session.

It’s critical for the Academy to be prepared for the next round of legislative “engagement” in an effort to advance policy initiatives that positively impact the practice of primary care in Wisconsin and health of its citizens.

As a result, the WAFP Board of Directors – in consultation with the Legislative Committee – has identified a list of legislative priorities for the 2009 session.

At the top of the list is the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) proposal.

According to the Joint Principles of the Patient Centered Medical Home (AAFP), The Patient-Centered Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care for children, youth and adults. The PCMH is a health care setting that facilitates partnership between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family.

Simply put, the PCMH is an approach to healthcare delivery that improves health outcomes, enhances access and reduces overall costs by building an effective partnership between family physicians and their patients. 

While WAFP leadership is still in the process of developing legislation for a Wisconsin-style PCMH, they are guided by certain principles that generally define a Patient-Centered Medical Home, including:

• Ensuring each patient has an ongoing relationship with their personal physician.

• All care is provided by a physician-directed medical practice and supported by the efforts of a practice team.

• Care is focused on the whole patient.

• Care is coordinated with the overall healthcare system.

• Priority is placed on care quality and patient safety.

• Improving patient access to healthcare.

The key to the PCMH is an on-going relationship between the patient and their primary physician that stresses preventative care and helps the patient navigate the complexities of the healthcare system by coordinating services with sub-specialists.

However, while the medical home concept revolves around improving patient care, effective PCMH legislation must also recognize physicians participating in this coordinated health care delivery system through increased payments or reimbursements.

Furthermore, based on discussions among WAFP leadership, it’s essential that the final draft of the Wisconsin PCMH proposal meet the standards set forth by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The Academy is also closely analyzing health care reform legislation passed in Minnesota that includes a “Gopherized-version” of the PCMH. The new Minnesota law includes many of the principles referenced-above, which may ultimately be included in WAFP’s Patient-Centered Medical Home legislation.

In addition to the PCMH, the Academy is interested in pursuing other legislative initiatives, including a medical student loan forgiveness program that would reduce loan payments for Wisconsin medical students who agree to remain in-state following graduation and practice in identified health professional shortage areas.

The WAFP will also support initiatives to protect the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund, such as a proposed Wisconsin Constitution amendment to prohibit the state legislature from using segregated funds for any reason other that the fund’s original purpose.

Other issues the WAFP Board and Legislative Committee have acknowledged as policy areas of interest to the Academy include a statewide smoking ban, health care cost and quality transparency, universal-style health care proposals and an increase in MA reimbursement rates.

As the development of the PCMH and other WAFP legislative initiatives unfold and move through the legislative process, the WAFP Government Affairs team will continue to update membership on the progress of each proposal. 

Thank you for your support in helping us meet our patients' needs!