President, Dr. Kevin Rossi, called the meeting to order. Seventeen members and guests were in attendance. Individual introductions were made. All names have been placed on record.
Dr. Rossi introduced the newly elected 2017 Executive Board as printed in the October Newsletter.
A motion was received and seconded to accept the minutes of the September 29 Executive Board and Members Meeting as printed in the October Newsletter.
The minutes were unanimously approved.
A motion was received and seconded to accept the October 31st Treasurer’s Report presented by Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Daniel Pio, as printed in the Agenda. The report was unanimously approved as printed.
Board of Directors Report: Dr. Liz Kalve gave her report on the most recent meeting. Issues discussed: bracing for health-care changes due to the national election results, providing education for our patients on marijuana legalization, increased reporting requirements for physicians due to the passing of the CURES bill in California, ongoing concerns about Song Brown funding staying in primary care, addressing physician burnout, strengthening prescription drug advocacy, and improving low Medi-Cal rates for FPs.
New Business:
A congressional hearing took place on November 30, 2016, to propose changes in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force composition by adding more specialists. Of concerns to primary care physicians is the potential that specialists will introduce many conflicts of interest due to direct gains. Prior to the hearing, letters were sent to members of the sub-committee to urge that the composition of the task force be preserved. A strong voice, Dr. Carol Mangione, UCLA faculty and member of the USPTF, testified at the hearing in support of keeping primary care voices on the committee, as specialists have other forums where they are well represented. The LAAFP is in support of this advocacy effort.
The LAAFP is often contacted by outside entities requesting various types of partnership to promote an upcoming seminar, symposium or conference. The task of vetting each request has become an added pressure to our Executive Committee. Following a discussion about the pros and cons of engaging in any type of partnership (i.e., terms used in lending our name, liability issues, alignment with our principles, goals and mission, requiring 3-month lead time), two recommendations came to the forefront: 1) Create a template similar to the application form we give to grant requests; 2) follow the lead of how the AAFP, or more specifically, the CAFP handles outside requests.
After thanking everyone for the honor of being the 2016 LAAFP President, Dr. Rossi briefly recapped some of the highlights of the year, including four well-attended member meetings: one addressing the opioid crisis, another dealing with healthcare and the homeless. All in all, 2016 was a good year for our chapter.
The meeting was adjourned.
