MMS Testimony

MMS officers frequently offer testimony and/or legal perspectives to state and federal officials on issues relevant to Massachusetts physicians and their patients.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to H 1221, H 1236, H 1237, H 1240, H 2785, S 523, and S 555 Similar or Identical Bills to Move all MassHealth Patients to Managed Care Organizations July 19, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in opposition to these pieces of legislation which seek to mandate movement of all patients receiving MassHealth payments into managed care organizations (MCO’s).

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to House 1490 An Act Relative to the Title of Practitioners of Dentistry July 19, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in strong opposition to House 1490. This legislation has been filed for the fourth time by Representative Khan and would allow dentists to use the term oral physician.

• MMS Testimony Regarding House Bill 1231 An Act to Extend Patient Protections to Recipients of MassHealth July 19, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in strong support of House Bill 1231, legislation that would enact comprehensive reforms to the MassHealth program.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to Senate Bill 1104 An Act to expand the scope of acupuncture to treat drug addiction July 19, 2011

  The MMS wishes to be recorded in opposition to this legislation which would allow "the injection of herbs, homeopathic, and other nutritional supplements" into members of the public, for a broad range of purpose including : "to prevent addiction to prescription drugs and reduce drug abuse; to...

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to H 2368 and S 1133 An Act Relative to Certified Professional Midwives July 19, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society strongly opposes this legislation which does little or nothing to protect the public while adding a veneer of professionalism to a small group of lay midwives who have affiliations with one national association.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to Senate 1140 An Act Relative to Medical Spas July 12, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society is opposed to S 1140. This legislation has been refiled for several years and has never advanced because it creates a unique regulatory structure which competes with existing systems to oversee medical care.

• MMS Testimony in Opposition to H.2376, H.2377 and H.2378 July 12, 2011

  The MMS believes that these bills are moot based on the passage of Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2008, An Act to Provide Cost Containment, Transparency and Efficiency in Delivery of Quality Health Care.

• MMS Testimony in Opposition to H.1515, 'An Act Relative Specialty Licensure July 12, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in opposition to House Bill 1515, which would create new licensing requirements for physician office practices.

• MMS Testimony In Support of House Bill 1199 'An Act Curtailing Smoking Addiction' And House Bill 2048 'An Act Relative to Health Care Coverage of Tobacco Cessation Treatments June 28, 2011

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in support of the following two bills, which would expand insurance coverage for smoking cessation treatment programs.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to Senate 206 An Act To Require Heart Screening For Interscholastic Athletes June 28, 2011

  I am here today to comment on the medical literature and consensus view on the mandating of ECG testing prior to participation in school based athletic programs.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition To H.589 An Act Relative to Oxycontin and Other Schedule II Controlled Substances June 28, 2011

  This bill would require physicians to take four credit hours on the prescription of schedule II controlled substances, as a condition of licensure.

• MMS Testimony In Opposition to H 1470: An Act Relative to an Affordable Health Plan June 21, 2011

  Rate setting for health care providers of this type is an extreme and untried experiment that is inherently unfair to health care providers.