How woke is the organization that that awarded Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen "Family Doctor of the Year" in 2016?
It's not hard to check.
A reader drew Bluestem's attention to the graphic in Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Bakst's tweet (below), the presence of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) award in the Jensen ad:
Besides shaking the baby, I see now that he is touting big-time his MAFP award . . .I was wondering where the group stands on issues, and here are the resolutions from 2022...Note the Drug Decriminalization resolution (adopted) and the Sex Work Decriminalization (under Board consideration). Just wondering if he actually stands by the organization given his promotion of it, and how that dovetails into the tough on crime rhetoric.
Those are certainly good questions. First here's the MAFP's description of the award on its website:
Minnesota Family Physician of the Year – Given out from 1981 through 2021; recognized a family physician member of the MAFP for compassionate, comprehensive patient care and involvement in the community. See all past Minnesota Family Physicians of the Year.
What are the resolutions about? According to the top of the Resolutions page on the MAFP's webpage:
Resolutions are written motions to set specific policy and/or direction for the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP). They are one of the main vehicles to drive action at the MAFP. Resolutions have directed the Academy to start a Health Equity Task Force and a Workforce Task Force as well as to get more involved in a variety of public health issues, including gun violence prevention, the opioid crisis and racism.
Here are the resolutions my correspondent mentioned, along with a couple of other 2022 resolutions that seem to touch upon issues brought up in Minnesota's political and culture war discussions:
. . . 2022-02. Advocating for New ICD Codes for Gender Affirming Care
The MAFP will submit a resolution to the AAFP Congress of Delegates asking for support and advocacy for comprehensive ICD-10 codes for gender affirming care that are inclusive of the patient experience.
ADOPTED AS SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION2022-03. Educate MAFP Members on Affirming Care for People with Intersex Traits
The MAFP will provide two CME credits about caring for intersex individuals from the lens of the family physician and an intersex individual and/or clinical expert as well as compile and distribute a resource list of leaders in the intersex community for patient/family referral.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED . . .2022-07. Decriminalization (1)
The MAFP will support efforts to decriminalize (not legalize) drug level charges for possession and use (excluding trafficking) and support a “Dissuasion Commission” advisory council to oversee county courts and treatment facilities. The MAFP will join State Opioid Oversight Project (SOOP) efforts and support comprehensive care and connection to community medications for opioid use disorder upon release when incarceration and drug charges still result.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED2022-07-B. Decriminalization (2)
The Board of Directors will consider MAFP support for the creation of “Addiction Recovery Centers” throughout the state to provide acute triage for patients with substance use disorder and/or drug charges. The Board will further consider supporting the reclassification of criminal penalties related to possession of controlled substances in order to minimize felony charges.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS2022-11. Support Full Decriminalization of Sex Work
The Board of Directors will consider MAFP support of legislation to fully decriminalize sex work and will discuss partnering with sex worker run community organizations to reduce the stigma and increate health care provider education regarding the medical needs of persons engaged in sex work.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
And 2021 offers additional resolutions that set specific policy and/or direction for the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. Jensen might like his award, but will his base (and Jensen himself) agree with these items?:
2021-01. Equity in Education Funding
A resolution to support policies that assure equitable, properly funded education.
ADOPTEDA resolution to oppose efforts to criminalize physicians for providing gender-affirming care and to support access to gender-affirming care for all Minnesotans.
ADOPTED2021-10. Taking Action on Universal Single-Payer Health Care
A resolution to provide members information on universal single-payer health care initiatives, advocate for single-payer and ask the AAFP to promote single-payer health care.
ADOPTED AS AMENDEDA resolution to advocate for gender inclusive paid family leave and ask the AAFP to support it nationally.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
2019-03. Advocate Against Conversion Therapy
A resolution asking the MAFP to advocate against conversion therapy.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED2019-14. Support Legislation that Promotes Improved Adolescent Vaccination Rates
A resolution asking the MAFP to advocate to allow adolescents age 14 and older to consent for ACIP-approved vaccinations.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED2019-18. Oppose Criminalization of Physicians Providing Abortion Care
A resolution asking the MAFP to advocate against legislation that criminalizes providers of abortion care.
ADOPTED
What would Matt Birk say about this organization whose approval his running mate puts front and center in his first ad?
Perhaps more important: What else does Jensen have?
Here's the Bakst tweet that prompted the reader's query:
Ads aplenty go up as ‘22 campaign intensifies https://t.co/lrnFDlxs2O via @mprnews
— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) September 8, 2022
Jensen was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016 and served one four-year term from 2017-2020.
Screenshot: From MPR journalist Brian Bakst's tweet.
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