Policy Committee Meeting

Approval of previous meeting minutes

Action: Amy Gaviglio made a motion to approve meeting minutes from December 19, 2024, with one change to the attendance.   Motion seconded by Kerry Hansen. All in favor. Roll call vote 5/5.

Old Business

RDAC Principles and Procedures Document

Director Barnes spoke to the policy guide, and it is available as a resource.  As we move into the legislative session, we are happy that this guide is available for legislators to reference as to who we are and what we do.  Our pillars are built out from our work plan and what people can do to help.  We have both a soft copy that will go on our website and we can have copies available for people that want print versions.  This will be available for our advocacy day on March 5, 2024.

Presentation of Potential Legislation

Advocacy day was discussed, and the Committee is very excited about the groups that will be represented.  6 groups joining the coalition and students for rare is doing a letter writing as well as lapel pins.  We are working toward legislative momentum – Students for rare are looking for ways to help.  We can print more post cards and groups can flood the representatives.  A flyer will be designed within the week – co-designed and all logos of the participating organizations to be on the flyer!  Empowering people and groups to talk with their legislators.

The policy committee is asking that the Council members take a look at the Prior Authorization bill and read it to consider supporting the bill.  Director Barnes will send out the information that she has.  Chad Fanning will present to the full council and Dawn asked that EB send what she does have, and we will learn more at the full council meeting and they will be ready to make a vote for support.

The Policy Committee has asked that Chad highlight the main portions of the prior authorization bill.  Chad will speak to the nuts and bolts of the bill, policy committee discussed some aspects of the bill as well as possible inclusion of additional items. The MMA values the RDAC engagement as it impacts physicians, and they want the perspective, and they want RDAC to represent the patient impact. Stories were shared by members.

RDAC Policy Guide 2023

This document is ready for use.

New Business

Director Barnes addressed a current situation in Texas – A child in Texas needs gene therapy and Texas Medicare is denying it and RDAC is considering involvement.  RDAC are not case managers, the general question is, is there an opportunity for Medicare to cross state lines, other broad policy that this illustrates. It was discussed that RDAC draft a letter of support to the Texas RDAC. A motion was made by Kerry Hansen to have RDAC send a letter of support to the Texas RDAC, seconded by Dawn Stenstrom.  Motion passed 5/5.  A letter will be drafted.

Public Comment

None

Adjourn Meeting

Motion called to adjourn by Dawn Stenstrom at 5:06 pm, seconded by Kerry Hansen.  Roll call vote 5/5.