Medical Association of Georgia’s 2015 Legislative Priorities
This week I sat down with Dr. Michael Green and Marcus downs of MAG to discuss Medical Association of Georgia’s 2015 legislative priorities. We talked about several issues that have a serious impact on both patient outcomes as well as Georgia physicians’ ability to provide care. Some key areas of focus this year include Physician Autonomy/Scope of Practice relating to physician-extending providers such as optometrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, Third Party Payers, Tort Reform, and Patient Access to Care/Physician Shortage.
Dr. Greene and Marcus shared important information about how the year’s priorities are decided upon from how they’re raised as issues, to how they are elevated through committee to final discussion/determination. They also talked about how valuable it is to have active participation in the process by the members of MAG. We discussed the ways that MAG members are able to contribute input on the process and identification of issues for the association to consider.
Marcus and Dr. Greene also talked about some important legislative issues MAG has been able to provide input on that helped shape or revise laws affecting how physicians provide care within the state of Georgia.
Special Guests:
Dr. Michael Greene, Chairman, Council on Legislation, MAG 
- Doctorate of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine
- Former President of MAG, 2003-’04
- Board Member, Secure Health Plan of Georgia
- Practicing Family Practice Physician, Macon, GA
Marcus Downs, Director of Government Relations, MAG
- Recipient, 2012, Outstanding Advocate Award, National Association of School Psychologists
- National Institutes of Health Research Fellow, 2000
- Former Director, Government Relations/External Coalitions/Research, Georgia Association of Educators
