02/23/2024    

APMA IN THE NEWS

APMA Defends Mississippi Scope Modernization

 

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. The CPA has provided financial grants to support this effort and has reviewed and advised on MsPMA's proposed legislation. APMA also worked with the state to coordinate media relations, such as the comments APMA Executive Director and CEO James R. Christina, DPM, offered in a recent Mississippi newspaper article.

 

Dr. James Christina

 

Most recently, the CPA submitted a letter supporting MsPMA directly to the Mississippi State Legislature. The letter, drafted in response to an AMA letter expressing opposition to updating the state scope of practice, focused largely on the education, training, 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 It also highlighted how outdated Mississippi law is and the direct impact on patient access to care. Finally, it addressed the misinformation in the AMA letter, designed to mislead legislators and the public.