MMA News
Keeping Cigarette Prices High
The MMA has been working to make sure that the state keeps a 75-cent-per-pack charge on cigarettes in place, even if the current fee is overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The MMA partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the American Cancer Society, and other anti-tobacco groups to sponsor a health impact fee advertising campaign that included print ads in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, as well as radio ads in 10 greater Minnesota markets. The campaign’s message is that keeping cigarette prices high is one of the best ways to keep kids from smoking. The print ad features a picture of three girls and the words “When three get hooked, one will die early.”
In addition, MMA physicians met with four newspaper editorial boards in March and April to convince them of the health benefits of the 75-cent-per-pack fee. After the visits, all of the papers published favorable editorials.
MMA President David Luehr met with the Star Tribune editorial board. George Schoephoerster, M.D., met with the St. Cloud Times; Stephen Penkhus, M.D., met with the Mankato Free Press, and Noel Peterson, M.D., an MMA trustee, and Fred T. Nobrega, M.D., executive director of the Zumbro Valley Medical Society, met with the Rochester Post-Bulletin.
Physicians Testify at the Capitol
Listed below are some of the MMA members who trekked to the Capitol to testify on behalf of the MMA this legislative session on issues of concern to physicians. The 2006 session is scheduled to end by May 22.
Dawn Martin, M.D., testified against a bill that would have restricted the use of vaccines containing thimerosal, except in cases where a mercury-free alternative was not available.
Martin stated that the restriction would create an overly cumbersome process for physicians. She also noted that the bill was impractical because of the lack of thimerosal-free flu vaccines on the market.
“We don’t have those choices available to us. Less than 10 percent of [flu] vaccines are thimerosal-free,” she said.
The MMA opposed the measure because of concerns that it would exacerbate the shortage of flu vaccine and because it was based on the claim that thimerosal in vaccines causes autism, which scientific studies don’t support.
Jim House, M.D., testified before a Senate committee on behalf of the Minnesota Orthopedic Society and the MMA against a bill that would expand the scope of practice for physical therapists. The bill would eliminate a current requirement that a physician’s referral is needed after an initial 30 days of PT treatment. In addition, more than 100 physicians sent e-mails through the MMA’s action alert system to lawmakers urging them to vote against the bill. The MMA opposes this legislation based on concerns that a patient should see a doctor if a physical therapist’s treatments haven’t worked in 30 days.
Janette Strathy, M.D., testified in favor of a bill to change the language in the Woman’s Right to Know Act to include an exemption when the fetus is not viable.
Lawrence Kerzner, M.D., testified against a provision in a bill that would have required health care providers to provide hydration and nourishment to people incapable of caring for themselves. The MMA opposed the bill on the grounds that families and doctors should make end-of-life decisions, not the state.
Finally, MMA President David Luehr, M.D., presented comments to committees on topics ranging from the sick tax to the regulation of radiation therapy treatment facilities.
Power Play Gets Rave Reviews
Performances of the MMA-sponsored Power of the Pyramid ended in March after nearly 63,000 elementary school children saw the play.
Power of the Pyramid is a 30-minute play that shows kids they have the power to eat well and get physically fit. The play was sponsored by the MMA, Allina Hospitals and Clinics, and PreferredOne.
The Minneapolis-based National Theatre for Children performed 273 shows in 156 schools in the metro area between January and March 2006.
In a follow-up survey, teachers overwhelmingly gave the play and its accompanying educational materials high marks for educational value, likelihood of retention, and the ability to generate classroom discussion. Nearly 100 percent of teachers who evaluated the program said they want to see it continue.
Michael Ainslie, M.D., chair of the MMA Board of Trustees and a pediatric endocrinologist, says he’s given the play’s educational materials to the families of patients, who found them to be helpful.
“[The play] creates a nonthreatening environment and doesn’t single out any one kid,” Ainslie says
“The message is that everyone wants to be healthy and make good choices.”
Ainslie encourages physicians and health care organizations in greater Minnesota to sponsor performances of the play in their communities because it helps children and their families engage in discussions about food and fitness.
To learn how to bring the Power of the Pyramid to your community, contact MMA Communications Director Lorrie Holmgren at 800/DIALMMA (800/342-5662) or lholmgren@mnmed.org.