Louisiana Family Doctor - Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians

Legislative Reportby Jo RoseThe 2006 Legislative Session may be over, but it is not tooearly to start thinking about issues you would like our state legislatorsto consider (or, in some cases, not to consider) duringthe upcoming legislative session.The 2007 Session is considered a “fiscal” session. The fiscaland/or local issues may not interest you this coming year, butthere will definitely be many issues during the 2008 regularsession (or any special session called by the governor) that willaffect you and your practice.It is also important to note that the governor, all statewideelected officials and every House and Senate member (unlessterm-limited) will be running for reelection in the fall. Many ofthe legislators are planning on qualifying for a higher (or, inseveral cases, lower) office. And, of course, there are a few whoare running for a statewide office.This is another reason that NOW is the time to talk with bothyour senator and representative to let him or her know thatthese issues are important to you and that you are one of theirconstituents. Get involved in his or her campaign and get acommitment to keep these issues on the front (or back) burner.Become a person that your legislator will call when he or shehas a question on a bill. By being a resource person and a supporter,you can make a big difference in what does or doesn’tbecome law.Each year, the Legislature slowly chips away at scope of practiceand quality-of-care issues. Also, the lifting or repealing ofthe medical malpractice cap is introduced in some form eachlegislative session by the trial lawyers. If we are not carefulabout whom we support for election, or if we do not getinvolved at all, there is a real possibility that it may go the sameway the “medical psychologist” or the “rural hospital development”issues did.In addition, because of all the money that is being funneled fromthe federal government through the state and into the coffers ofthe Louisiana Recovery District, any idea that would advance thedelivery of health care services in Louisiana should be proposedto either your legislator or Dr. Richard Streiffer, who is nowworking with Dr. Fred Cerise, secretary of DHH and theLouisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative.The session convenes at noon on Monday, April 30, 2007 andadjourns not later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007.Other information pertinent to the session:• It is limited to “measures to enact a general appropriationbill; enact the comprehensive capital budget; make anappropriation; levy or authorize a new tax; increase anexisting tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal afee; dedicate revenue; legislate with regard to tax exemptions,exclusions, deductions, reductions, repeals, or credits;or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds.” Eachmember may, however, pre-file (no later than 5:00 p.m.,Friday, April 20, 2007) an unlimited number of local orspecial bills (those which are required to be and have beenadvertised) and may introduce up to five such bills thathave not been prefiled. These bills must be introduced nolater than 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Late introductionsare not permitted.• There are exceptions to the five-bill limit: general appropriationbill, judicial branch appropriation, legislative branchappropriation, capital outlay bill, omnibus bond authorizationbill, supplemental appropriation bill, revenue sharingbill, and ancillary funds bill.• The deadline for third reading and final passage is 6:00p.m. of the second legislative day or the 57th calendar day,whichever occurs first, but the bill can be heard after thatdate if authorized by a two-thirds vote of both houses.• Effective date of the acts will be August 15, 2007, unlessthe bill specifically provides otherwise.The 2007 session is a good time to become more involved inthe legislative process. It will require a time commitment, butby taking a more active role, you can help determine what thepractice of medicine and, in particular, family medicine, willlook like. The legislators want to hear from you, and now, justprior to when they will really need your help (both politicallyand financially), is the perfect time to start.Call the LAFP office today and say you’d like to become a partof this important committee.8