ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) Board of Governors met on Wednesday, March 9, 2023 at the City Club in Baton Rouge. The information below highlights the actions taken by the board. Draft minutes are maintained in the office of the Executive Vice President until such time they are approved by the board, signed by the secretary/treasurer, and appended to the LSMS Website. March 8, 2023
LSMS LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION AND BOG THE LSMS BOARD OF GOVERNORS HELD A SMALL RECEPTION WITH LEGISLATIVE FRIENDS AND A BOARD MEETING IN BATON ROUGE ON MARCH 7TH AND 8TH.
• Scheduled a special meeting of the board for August 4, 2023 with leaders from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, Louisiana Department of Health, and the Attorney General’s office to discuss abuse and oversight related to the unauthorized practice of medicine by non-physicians. • Reviewed proposed rules from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing allowing for advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe opioids for the management of chronic pain and obesity. Directed staff to submit formal comments to the nursing board in opposition to the proposed rule. • Approved sending the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners a letter asking for an advisory opinion or position statement on the dangers of Kratom. Also, directed staff to send the Kratom informational fact sheet published by the DEA to LSMS members. • Approved the president sending a letter to the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner regarding additional details related to the sale of BCBSLA to Elevance Health (Anthem), i.e., how will the sale/transition occur and how will it impact our patients. • Reviewed proposed rules, and LSMS submitted comments in favor of, the Federal Trade Commission’s proposal to eliminate non-compete agreements. • Reviewed proposed rules from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) related to making permanent certain rules surrounding telemedicine that were initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Directed the executive vice president to develop and present potential changes to the administration of the PH Jones Scholarship program at the next meeting of the board on June 8, 2023.
• Directed the executive vice president to develop and present potential changes to the administration of the annual presidential honorarium at the next meeting of the board on June 8, 2023. • Approved the LSMS hosting two legislative dinners during the 2023 legislative session, one for the Senate Insurance Committee, and the other for the House Insurance Committee. • Reviewed two legislative instruments, both addressing current issues with the prior authorization process, requested by the LSMS during the 2023 legislative session. • Directed Dr. Broussard, Council on Legislation (COL) Chair, to engage the COL in prioritizing additional issues and legislation related to prior authorizations as part of our future legislative strategy. • Approved interviewing three candidates, in September 2023, identified from among the LSMS Past Presidents Advisory Council for an open seat on the Physician Foundations Board in 2024. • Received presentations, reports, and/or information related to physician unions, future meeting dates, Advantage Physicians Healthcare Trust, HealthSYNC, and miscellaneous legislative dates and issues.
• Approved the minutes of the December 14, 2022 meeting.
• Reviewed unaudited financial statements for the LSMS, and its subsidiaries, through December 31, 2022.
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• Reviewed the 1st quarter membership report for 2023.
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