CAPP - Coalition to Preserve MICRA June 26, 2013 Advocacy, MICRA, Politics and Medicine CAPP, Californians Allied for Patient Protection, Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act , MICRA, preserve MICRA 0 The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) provisions work to ensure quality medical care for consumers, stabilize out-of-control medical liability costs to keep providers in practice, and preserve patients' access to fair compensation when they have justifiable claims. Any changes to MICRA to weaken its protections will result in higher healthcare costs overall, no improvement in quality, and reduced access to services. That is why SFMS and CMA are long-time supporters of the Californians Allied for Patient Protection (CAPP), and are committed to ensuring MICRA remains intact and viable in California. There has been an increase in paid anti-MICRA activities by the trial lawyers. Thus far, it appears to be limited to the Sacramento area and clearly aimed at the legislature. With the trial lawyers' heightened lobbying campaign, CAPP's large and diverse coalition has also ramped up its efforts as described below. CAPP Legislative Activities CAPP and its members have been meeting with legislators individually to discuss trial lawyer efforts, explain the negative consequences of changing MICRA, and solidify our support in both houses of the legislature. These meetings are ongoing and our team of lobbyists and supporters is coordinating very closely on all legislative activities. Open Letter to Legislators To send a strong message to legislators (and to supplement individual lobbying efforts), CAPP has drafted and distributed an "open letter" to legislators that was delivered today. The goal is to demonstrate to legislators the depth and breadth of CAPP's supporters and the 700+ coalition members that would be affected by any changes to MICRA. Furthermore, the letter reiterated that we stand in support with our lawmakers in striving to improve healthcare access and affordability while, conversely, the trial lawyers are promoting divisive and risky changes that threaten our healthcare safety net. Click here to view the letter. Help Protect MICRA - Become an Advocate We need our supporters throughout the state to help us protect MICRA if there is a bill or a ballot measure to change the law and weaken MICRA's protections. CAPP is seeking advocates who would be willing to meet with legislators; testify in legislative committee hearings; and engage in media activities like news interviews, authoring letters-to-the-editor or op-eds. CAPP is organizing a series of message training webinars to give supporters the necessary tools to be an effective advocate. These trainings will help you understand how to best tell your story about why MICRA is important to you and provide you with background information so you know what to expect in a press interview, legislative hearing, and/or press conference. If you would like to participate in media training, please email CAPP at akennedy@micra.org. Comments are closed.
