Pub. 2 2018 Issue 1

a specified period of time, and requires insurers to provide explanation for any denial of services. The costs imposed by physicians and their offices is astronomical, adding to the overall cost of health care and damaging the health outcomes for patients. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass during the 2018 session due to some un- foreseen technical mistakes in the first draft of the bill, but we will be working throughout the year to re-draft the bill and build a coalition of support for the 2019 session. o Status: UAFP support – bill failed This is just a small sample of the work that we do on Utah’s Capi- tol Hill. Now more than ever, it is critical that all family doctors in Utah stay engaged in the policy process. Family Medicine is the largest specialty in our state and we are the voice for primary care. If you don’t know your state Rep- resentative and Senator, I would strongly encourage that you look them up and reach out: www. le.utah.gov. We could make so much progress if every single leg- islator, all 104 of them, had a fam- ily doctor on speed dial. You can be the resource for health care policy for your legislators. Re- member, when it comes to policy, the UAFP is first and foremost, a source of education and knowl- edge. You are your own best advocate, and building a trusting relationship with the people who represent you is empowering and impactful. As always, thank you for being a member of the Utah Academy of Family Physicians. It is an honor to serve at the capitol on your behalf.  UAFP Calendar of Events Date Event Location August 2-4, 2018 AAFP National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Students Kansas City, MO October 8-10, 2018 AAFP Congress of Delegates New Orleans, LA September 14-15, 2018 UMA House of Delegates Salt Lake City, UT January 28, 2019 – March 7, 2019 Utah General Legislative Session Salt Lake City, UT February 2019 Family Medicine Focus Group Luncheons Varies February 21-24, 2019 UAFP CME-n-Ski Conference Park City, UT March 2019 UAFP Annual Meeting and Member Dinner Salt Lake City, UT 5 |