APMA Defends Mississippi Members Against AMA

For the past several years, the Center for Professional Advocacy (CPA) at APMA has collaborated closely with the Mississippi Podiatric Medical Association (MsPMA) to modernize the state’s scope of practice to permit podiatric physicians to treat the ankle. In addition to financial grants provided, the CPA has reviewed and advised on MsPMA’s proposed legislation, and worked with the state to coordinate APMA CEO and Executive Director James Christina, DPM, to provide support in a local Mississippi newspaper.

Most recently, the CPA submitted a letter supporting MsPMA directly to the Mississippi State Legislature. The letter, drafted in response to an American Medical Association (AMA) letter expressing opposition to updating the state scope of practice, focused largely on the training, education, and qualifications of today’s podiatrists, which more than support modernizing the state scope of practice in Mississippi. It also highlighted how outdated Mississippi law was and the direct impact on patient access to care. Finally, it addressed the misinformation in the AMA’s letter, designed to mislead legislators and the public.

In addition to the letter sent to the Mississippi legislators, APMA also sent letters to the AMA and its Board of Trustees, expressing our disappointment in the gross misinformation contained in the AMA letter. Members can read all of these at www.apma.org/commentletters, as well as all other past comment letters. If you have questions or concerns, contact the APMA Health Policy and Practice department at healthpolicy.hpp@apma.org.