Legislative Priorities - Kansas Academy of Family Physicians

2023 Legislative Priorities

The KAFP exists to empower and cultivate Kansas family physicians to advocate and collaborate for the health of all Kansans.

As nearly 2,000 family physicians caring for patients and their families across the state, we focus on delivering healthcare that is patient–centered, cost-effective, and accessible.

Patient-Centered Care

- KAFP supports the sanctity of the physician and patient relationship.

- KAFP supports initiatives addressing social determinants of health, racial disparity and health equity. We believe every Kansan has a right to social and physical environments that promote good health.

- KAFP supports efforts that aim to increase immunization rates in a manner that aligns with CDC recommendations and prioritizes the health of adversely affected populations. KAFP opposes further exemptions to any prescribed immunization schedule.

Cost-Effective Care

- KAFP supports Medicaid and reform, including but not limited to: Medicaid expansion; increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to physicians; and adding key patient services not currently covered by Medicaid.

- KAFP supports legislation that ensures adequate payment for primary care services, including increasing the percentage of the overall healthcare investment in primary care, which has been proven to decrease the overall cost of healthcare.

Accessible Care

- KAFP supports legislation to
  streamline prior authorizations and improve interoperability of electronic health records to reduce administrative delays and
  redundancy.

- KAFP supports legislation that ensures payment parity for services provided via telehealth which improves access to comprehensive, patient-centered care and not further fracturing the medical home. Further, KAFP supports funding for increased broadband services and devices for all patients.

- KAFP supports activities, programs and legislation to encourage physicians to practice in urban and rural underserved areas, and to retain their services once established there. KAFP supports legislation to provide adequate funding for graduate and undergraduate medical education for family medicine, including full funding for the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program, the KU Scholars in Rural Health program, and other initiatives encouraging students to enter family medicine.

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