LMS Physicians, Residents and Fellows, and Medical Students Advocate for Prior Authorization Reform and Improving Physician Wellness
LMS physicians, residents and fellows, and UK medical students met with their Kentucky legislators at KMA’s annual Physicians’ Day at the Capitol on February 18th to advocate for House Bill 176, Prior Authorization Reform, Senate Bill 78 Improving Physician Wellness, and opposing Senate Bill 12 Remove the Requirement for Level IV Trauma Centers to be Led by an Onsite Physician, and oppose scope of practice legislation.
Senate Bill 176 would establish a prior authorization exemption program designed to automatically waive prior authorization requirements if a physician has historically been approved for a specific procedure/service (not more than) 93% of the time. This prior authorization exemption program would ensure patients have timely access to the care they need, reduce administrative burdens for physicians, and lower healthcare costs. This bill has passed the House, and we need support in the Senate.
Senate Bill 78 supports physician wellness within the credentialing process. While SB 78 is a broader credentialing bill, parts of sections 1 and 4 reflect a targeted effort to modernize credentialing practices in a way that supports physician well-being without compromising patient safety. The goal is straight forward: to eliminate stigmatizing or intrusive questions on credentialing forms that are unrelated to a physician’s ability to practice safely and competently. This bill sends a clear message that seeking care is not a professional liability, and that Kentucky supports evidence-based, stigma-free approaches to physician health – while still preserving all existing patient safety safeguards.
LMS members participating in Physicians’ Day at the Capitol include LMS President Christine Ko, MD, LMS Executive Board Chair Hope Cottrill MD , LMS President-Elect Marisa Belcastro MD, Past LMS President Khalil Rahman MD, KMA Speaker of the House of Delegates Daneesh Mazloomdoost MD, Sandra Shuffett, MD, Meagan Schaeffner MD, UK Fellow Alexander Thebert, MD, UK Residents Julia Graff MD, and Alyssa Lambrecht, DO, and UK medical students Mollee Flannigan, Emma Hiiggins, DeAsia King, Sharon Lee, Sarisha Lohano, Shelby McCubbin, Maggie Stull, Callie Whitus, and Joseph Woods.
LMS physicians meeting with Senator Stephen West, District 27
LMS physicians meeting with Representative Lindsey Burke, District 75
LMS physicians meeting with Senator Reginald Thomas, District 13
LMS physicians meeting with Representative Adam Moore, District 45
