Committee on Membership Minutes
Monday, February 24, 2025
via Zoom 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Committee members present: Melody Bray-Ross, Beulette Hooks, Wanda Gumbs, Folashade Omole, Ann-Gelle Carter, Jessica Mitchum, Kreena Patel, Kaitlyn, Daniel Ho, Dr. Sumaili
Staff Present: Ali Bohannon, Destiny Butler
I. Welcome, Introductions and Call to Order
II. AAFP Awards
Numerous candidates were put forth to be considered for the AAFP Lifetime Achievement Award. The Chair asked that a quick ballot be sent out to all members for a vote. Each candidate's CV will be provided for the vote.
Public Health – the committee nominates Dr. Beverley Ann Townsend for the Public Health Award due to her continued service with the Department of Public Health.
Two candidates were nominated for the Humanitarian Award. The staff will retrieve their CVs and add them to the ballot for review.
Due to the quick turnaround, the committee proposed that all needed documents for the ballot be collected by Wednesday and the ballot be sent out on Thursday, February 27. Members of the committee would have until the end of business to make their selections.
III. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM. The committee will meet in March during March Conclave
Georgia Academy Leadership Sets Legislative Priorities for 2025
By: Thomas Fausett, MD (Chair) and Casey Henritz, DO (Vice Chair) – Georgia Academy’s Legislative Committee
Legislative Priorities Survey Results
Over a three-week period, the GAFP conducted an extensive Legislative Priorities Survey, garnering 101 responses from members, including nine medical students, 10 residents, and 82 active and life members.
In December, the Legislative Committee convened to review these survey results, incorporating valuable feedback and additional comments from participants. A key discussion emerged around prioritizing state initiatives that could expand family medicine, given recent member conversations with legislative leaders expressing openness to supportive policy changes.
Following the review, the Legislative Committee recommended—and the Executive Committee approved—the following initial legislative priorities for the upcoming session. These priorities will remain dynamic, with the potential for additional key topics to be addressed as the session progresses:
Scope of Practice: Oppose legislation allowing physician assistants and nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician supervision.
Public Health: Oppose any efforts to criminalize physician-patient conversations on sensitive topics such as gun ownership or family planning.
Payment Reform: Advocate for Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare levels for primary care physicians and OB/GYNs.
Administrative Burden: Support legislation to eliminate restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses in physician employment contracts.
Family Medicine Expansion: Back state initiatives aimed at growing and supporting family medicine in Georgia.
Upcoming Advocacy Events – Register Today!
The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians invites all members to participate in two key advocacy events this February. These events provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen advocacy skills, connect with legislative leaders, and advocate for healthcare policies that benefit family medicine and patients in Georgia.
Advocacy Prep Webinar
📅 Monday, February 10
🕕 6:00–7:00 PM (Virtual)
Open to all GAFP members, this virtual session will prepare attendees to confidently engage in advocacy efforts. Unlimited registration is available.
Day at the Capitol
📅 Thursday, February 13
🕣 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 State Capitol / Veterans Memorial Building, 200 Piedmont Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA
Join us in person at the State Capitol for a hands-on advocacy experience. Space is limited, and registration will close once capacity is reached.
Register Now
Click here to register for both events: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25DayatCap
Why Participate?
These events are vital for building advocacy expertise, influencing key healthcare policies, and demonstrating the collective strength of family physicians in Georgia. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!
Become a GAFP Leader in 2025
Ready to shape the future of family medicine in Georgia? We’re recruiting for 2025 committees, and we need YOU to join the team!
Why Serve?
As part of a committee, you’ll collaborate with colleagues, shape policies, and influence the direction of family medicine in Georgia. Committees meet three times a year, with both in-person and virtual options.
2025 Meeting Dates (for most committees):
March 8: Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center
June 5: Effie Hotel, Sandestin, FL (GAFP Summer CME)
August 9: Historic Iron Works, Columbus
Open Committees:
Bylaws: Governance and policy review.
Finance: Budget, audit, and financial policies.
Membership Services: Recruitment, retention, and awards.
Practice Management: Business of family medicine.
Student & Resident Recruitment: Promote family medicine to the next generation.
Bonus Opportunity: Join the Legislative Session Working Group, meeting weekly from January–April 2024 to review health legislation.
Apply Now: Committee Application Form
Your voice matters. Together, we’ll strengthen family medicine in Georgia!
Health Provisions in End-of-Year Legislative Package
On Tuesday, December 17, Congressional leadership released a legislative package to fund the federal government through March 2025 and it includes several health care provisions the AAFP has been long advocating for. These provisions include:
A 2.5% increase to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor for one year, which stops short of offsetting the full 2.8% payment cut set to go into effect on January 1, 2025;
Extension of the advanced alternative payment model incentive payment at 3.53% for one year;
Extension of the physician work Geographic Practice Cost Index floor of 1.0 for one year;
5-year reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program with funding phasing up to $300 million by 2029;
2-year reauthorization of the National Health Service Corps;
2-year reauthorization of community health center funding, phasing up to $4.6 billion by 2026;
2-year extension of current Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2026;
5-year reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act, legislation that authorizes critical programs for opioid use disorder prevention, recovery, and treatment. Also contained in the SUPPORT Act is a legislative fix to the 2022-passed MATE Act which recognizes the AAFP’s credit system as an entity that accredits continuing medical education; and
2-year reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), which would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to take necessary steps to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies.
The AAFP has advocated for Congress to act on these items over the past two years and has issued a statement encouraging Congress to pass this legislation. The goal is to pass this legislation before the December 20 funding deadline. Congressional leadership has asked groups to urge Members of Congress to vote YES on this bill. We have activated a SpeakOut and request that this be shared with your members as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the provisions contained in the package, please contact David Tully, vice president of Government Relations at dtully@aafp.org.