RESOLVED, the component medical society may authorize MMA to appoint Delegates and Alternate Delegates on behalf of the component medical society. The MMA may appoint delegates for unfilled positions for non‐staffed component medical societies no sooner than 75 days before the House of Delegates meeting, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the bylaws changes contained in Exhibit A be adopted.

Resolution 100 was submitted by the MMA Executive Committee/Bylaws Committee.

RESOLUTION 101, SUNSET POLICY REVIEW

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 101 was ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the three “questionable” policies identified during the 2011 sunset policy review process be subject to further review by Minnesota Medical Association staff and leadership and recommended action on them be brought to a future meeting of the MMA House of Delegates, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA compendium of archived MMA policies, which contains MMA polices that are no longer relevant but can be consulted for historical or informational reasons, include the attached recommended “archive” policies (39), and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA reaffirm support for the attached recommended “retain” polices (8), and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA approve and reaffirm support for the attached recommended “retain as edited” policies (9).

Resolution 101 was submitted by the MMA Executive Committee.

RESOLUTION 102, THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS: A) FOR A MORATORIUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF R106‐2010 AND B) FOR FORMATION OF A NEW BYLAWS WORK GROUP

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 102 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association continue to refine the resolution review process and report back to the 2013 House of Delegates meeting with an evaluation and recommendations for modifications with proposed bylaws changes, if appropriate, consistent with MMA Policy 420.78, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA continue to explore, through the Governance Task Force, the governance responsibilities of the House of Delegates and the Board of Trustees.

Resolution 102 was submitted by Michael Ainslie, MD; Richard Baron, MD; Lee Beecher, MD; Peter Dehnel, MD; Robert Geist, MD; Ron Hansen, MD; Richard Morris, MD; and Thomas Siefferman, MD.

RESOLUTION 103, PROHIBIT CMS WAIVERS OF ANTI‐FEE SPLITTING LAWS

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 103 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association request that Congress and the Administration prohibit federal officers from giving waivers that would repeal patient protection laws including anti‐fee splitting laws, civil monetary penalties laws, Stark anti‐self referral law, and anti‐kickback laws, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association implement this resolution by addressing it to the United States Congress, the appropriate congressional committees, the Minnesota members of Congress, appropriate officers in the executive branch of the US government, the Minnesota Legislature, and appropriate Minnesota state officers in the executive branch.

Resolution 103 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 104, INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 104 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association assess the prevalence of, location, and identified special needs of independent physician practices in Minnesota, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association hold as a priority, in its state and federal policy and advocacy activities, the survival and success of Minnesota independent physician practices.

Resolution 104 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 105, EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSICIANS BY ORGANIZATIONS WHO PROVIDE DIRECT PATIENT CARE

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 105 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association amend current policy 470.04 (Minnesota Professional Firms Act) to reflect current Minnesota law. The amended policy will read as follows: The MMA opposes any amendments to the Minnesota Professional Firms Act that would further erode the corporate practice of medicine doctrine or reduce physician autonomy.

Resolution 105 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 106, VALUING, TRACKING AND COMMUNICATING RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE MMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 106 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association attach the names of all individual authors and appropriate component medical society authors to all resolutions submitted to the House of Delegates, and be it further

RESOLVED, that MMA ask resolution authors, or their designee, to testify, if necessary, on their proposals at meetings of the MMA Board of Trustees and MMA committees, and be it further

RESOLVED, that MMA continue to improve communications to members and delegates on resolutions passed by the House of Delegates.

Resolution 106 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 107, COLLABORATIVE LEGAL REFORM FOR MALPRACTICE REFORM IN MINNESOTA

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 107 was REFERRED TO THE MMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support medical malpractice reform that investigates the possibility of enacting the collaborative law participation agreement as drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws as part of the Uniform Collaborative Law Act in Minnesota.

Resolution 107 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

RESOLUTION 108, MCLEOD‐SIBLEY MEDICAL SOCIETY MERGER

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 108 was ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the McLeod County Medical Society and the Sibley County Medical Society merge to become the McLeod‐Sibley Medical Society.

Resolution 108 was submitted by the Non‐Staffed Component Medical Society Workgroup.

RESOLUTION 200, SIMPLIFICATION OF QUALITY MEASURES FOR MINNESOTA PHYSICIANS

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 200 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association continue to advocate for alignment and harmonization of state and federal quality measures, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association convene public and private sector community stakeholders to identify statewide high‐value quality measurement and improvement priorities, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association evaluate alternatives to standardized statewide quality measurement and reporting, including methods for individual clinics/medical groups to measure and report on clinical topics that address their practice’s needs based on their specific patient populations and gaps in care.

Resolution 200 was submitted by the MMA Committee on Quality.

RESOLUTION 201, CHLAMYDIA SCREENING

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 201 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support annual screening for Chlamydia among all males and females in the 15‐25 age range with repeat screening at the discretion of the physician.

Resolution 201 was submitted by the MMA Committee on Public Health.

RESOLUTION 202, TEN‐MINUTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BREAKS OFFERED AS PART OF THE WORKDAY

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 202 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) recommend that employers in Minnesota encourage increased physical activity among their employees where appropriate through worksite wellness programs such as exercise breaks, discounted membership to fitness centers, health coaching, and other proven mechanisms.

Resolution 202 was submitted by the MMA Medical Student Section.

RESOLUTION 203, MANDATORY ACCURATE DISCLOSURE OF PROVIDER CREDENTIALS TO CURRENT AND POTENTIAL PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 203 was ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support legislation which mandates by law precise and accurate disclosure of specific academic credentials in all patient interactions, advertising/media, and in public/legislative forums; precise verbal disclosure to patients and/or the public in a professional capacity, and visible title accurate provider ID shall be required by statute to identify fully and transparently provider’s degree.

Resolution 203 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 204, TREATMENT OF MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE‐RELATED DISORDERS IN MINNESOTA

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 204 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the MMA develop and appoint a task force of primary care physicians and psychiatrists to recommend and to oversee the development of good/best direct care and consultation practices consistent with the aims and architecture of the medical home, that meet a reasonable standard of individualized comprehensive evaluation and direct treatment of mental and substance‐related disorders.

Resolution 204 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 205, RESOLUTION REGARDING DISCONTINUING THE SECURE EXAMINATION AS PART OF THE ABMS MOC PROGRAM

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 205 was ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association delegation to the American Medical Association direct the AMA to work with the American Board of Medical Specialties to discontinue the requirement for a secure examination as part of their Maintenance of Certification program.

Resolution 205 was submitted by the Lake Superior Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 206, VACCINATIONS GIVEN IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS AND IN FOR PROFIT PHARMACIES

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 206 was ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association work with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Legislature to pass legislation requiring that any entity providing vaccines to patients enter the data into the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection registry.

Resolution 206 was submitted by the Lake Superior Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 207: PROHIBITING LOW‐COST MEDICATION PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 207 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support prohibiting requirements for prior authorization for medications that are administered for costs less than $25.00, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association work with the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians to meet with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans to institute this prohibition as soon as possible, and be it further

RESOLVED, that if the health plans refuse to abide by this prohibition, that the MMA ask the Minnesota Department of Health to take action as the means to help control health care costs.

Resolution 207 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

RESOLUTION 208, REGULATION OF PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 208 was REFERRED TO THE MMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

RESOLVED, that the MMA pursue legislation to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Minnesota to:

require their personnel, especially those making coverage or denial decisions, to be medically knowledgeable and have basic information about the patient’s medical status and diagnoses, as supplied by the insurer (a parallel to utilization review protections), especially as there is a pending requirement to have all prior authorizations done electronically;
exempt other well‐proven and effective medications from prior authorization requirements after they have been reviewed and approved by an appropriate multi‐ disciplinary formulary oversight group; and,
require connectivity and information exchange between insurers and PBMs so that medication coverage decisions are not made without knowledge and understanding of the patient’s condition.

Resolution 208 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

RESOLUTION 209, INDOOR TANNING

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 209 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) actively support legislation developed by the Minnesota Dermatological Society with support from the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatological Surgeons, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Cancer Society, that would prohibit those under 18 years of age from using tanning beds, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA encourage the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Legislature to establish stronger requirements for the education, training, testing, and re‐certification of tanning bed employees and for the posting of warning requirements for customers on the risks of usage.

Resolution 209 was submitted by the Zumbro Valley Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 210, COMMUNITY MEASUREMENT WAIVER FOR QUALITY RESEARCH

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 210 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association work with Minnesota Community Measurement, through its role on the Minnesota Community Measurement Board of Directors and its work groups and committees, to develop policies that allow for waivers from public reporting of quality data for Minnesota researchers and physicians who are participating in clinical research studies. These policies should consider criteria including but not limited to funding source, topic of research, study registration status, and the degree to which there is conflict with current measure specifications.

Resolution 210 was submitted by the Zumbro Valley Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 300, HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE STUDY

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 300 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association work with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to ensure physicians are involved in the development of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association study the ramifications of all the options relevant to physician practices and patient care that might be brought forward as part of the implementation of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange.

Resolution 300 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION 301, GREATER PMAP TRANSPARENCY TO ACHIEVE THE TRIPLE AIM

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 301 was ADOPTED IN LIEU OF RESOLUTION 301 AND RESOLUTION 303.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association continue to support transparency of quality of care, cost of care, and physician payment data in the Prepaid Medical Assistance Program and other state‐supported medical plans to ensure efficient use of state dollars, quality care delivery, and access to care by patients.

Resolution 301 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.
Resolution 303 was submitted by the Lake Superior Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 302, RESTORE REIMBURSEMENT FOR CONSULTATION CODES

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 302 was REFERRED TO THE MMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association adopt as policy that reimbursement for consultation codes should be restored by all payers.

Resolution 302 was submitted by the Twin Cities Medical Society.

RESOLUTION 304, WELLNESS INCENTIVES

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 304 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support legislation to provide wellness incentives for all Medical Assistance recipients.

Resolution 304 was submitted by the Range Medical Society.

SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION 305, AFFORDABLE ASTHMA MEDICATIONS

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 305 was ADOPTED IN LIEU OF RESOLUTION 305 AND RESOLUTION 306.

RESOLVED, that the MMA work with public and private payers to ensure lowest copays for at least one inhaled steroid and one short acting beta adrenergic inhaler in their formularies, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA work with public and private payers to ensure coverage for at least one nebulizer and one asthma inhaler spacer, and that any co‐pays be at their lowest tier level.

Resolution 305 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.
Resolution 306 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

RESOLUTION 307, HEALTH CARE HOME CERTIFICATION

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 307 was ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association work with the Minnesota Department of Health to evaluate the complexity and administrative burden of the health care home certification and recertification criteria, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the MMA work to extend the time period between health care home certification and recertification.

Resolution 307 was submitted by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

RESOLUTION 308, SUPPORT THE MINNESOTA HEALTH PLAN

HOUSE ACTION: Resolution 308 was NOT ADOPTED.

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Medical Association support the Minnesota Health Plan that provides universal, publicly‐funded health care for all Minnesotans.

Resolution 308 was submitted by Elizabeth Frost, MD.

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