Resolutions—Driving the Work of the Academy
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 MAFP Board of Directors 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.
See the Latest Actions on Resolutions
Once a resolution is adopted (see “how a resolution becomes policy”), we begin to take action on the “Be It Resolved” statements identified in the formal resolution and work begins to meet the actionable goals our House of Delegates has laid out.
At our quarterly board meetings, we share updates and/or progress on resolutions. Read the latest resolution progress report.
Want to read more actions on resolutions or have questions about a specific resolution? Contact Jami Burbidge, MAM, chief operating officer.
View Resolutions
- 2023 Resolutions
- 2022 Resolutions
- Search Resolutions by Year and/or Topic Category (reflects years 1999-2023)
Want information on resolutions not in the resolutions library or have a question about a specific resolution? Contact Jami Burbidge, MAM, chief operating officer.
Resolution FAQs
Resolutions recommend the policies/direction of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP). Learn more about our resolution process and how you can get involved.
What is a resolution?
A resolution is a written motion to set a specific policy and/or direction for the MAFP. Members submit resolutions prior to the annual House of Delegates meeting, where delegates, comprised of representatives from local chapters, deliberate on them.
Resolution Writing Tips
Where to Start
- Step 1: Organize your thoughts on the resolution topic before you begin writing.
- Step 2: Utilize the tips and tools below to aid in writing your resolution. Be sure to use clear, concise language.
- Step 3: Submit a resolution.
Tools You Can Use
- View our Example Resolution.
- Use our Resolution Preparation Worksheet.
What Are “Whereas” and “Resolved” Statements?
- “Whereas” statements simply explain the problem or situation.
- “Resolved” statements clearly explain what action should be taken.
It’s possible to have more than one “Whereas” and “Resolved” statement, but keep focused on what’s desired as an end result. Often, one resolution can be broken into two or three separate resolutions.
Don’t make it too complicated! One helpful method is to develop your “Resolved” statements first. This makes it easier to limit “Whereas” statements to relevant and necessary background information.
Tips for “Whereas” Statements
- Limit the number of whereas statements in your resolution (no more than 10).
- Carefully check facts and verify data.
- Avoid editorializing.
- You may support your whereas statements with additional information/references (up to 20).
Tips for “Resolved” Statements
- Write the resolved statement(s) first (no more than five).
- Limit each resolved statement to one action.
- Write each resolved statement to stand on its own, without reliance on any other resolved statement, the whereas statements or supporting information.
- Only call for action the Academy has some control over.
- Provide fiscal notes if needed.
- You may support your resolved statements with additional information/references (up to 20).
Resolution Preparation Worksheet
Use the Resolution Preparation Worksheet to compose and prepare your resolution for submission via the online form.
Please note: Resolutions will only be accepted through the online form.
Example Resolution
Resolution Title – the topic of the resolution
Office-based Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Resolution Author(s) – the individual(s) and/or MAFP chapter submitting the resolution
Submitted by West Metro Chapter
WHEREAS more than 15,000 people die each year from opioid abuse, including 376 Minnesotans in 2016 [1];
WHEREAS there is substantial, strong, and reproducible evidence in randomized clinical trials and well-designed observational studies that medications for treatment of opioid use disorder improve mortality, reduce opioid use, reduce infectious risks, reduce incarcerations, and improve birth outcomes [2];
WHEREAS, under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), qualified U.S. physicians can offer buprenorphine for opioid dependency in various settings, including in an office, community hospital, health department, or correctional facility [3];
WHEREAS just over 4 percent of physicians in the U.S. have gone through the training process that enables them to prescribe buprenorphine [4];
BE IT RESOLVED that the MAFP provide a clinical education session at the 2018 Destination CME that addresses office-based treatment of opioid use disorder;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MAFP provide a clinical education session at the 2019 Spring Refresher that addresses office-based treatment of opioid use disorder;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MAFP provide members with information about the eight-hour buprenorphine waiver training courses that are required for physicians to prescribe buprenorphine.
References and Supporting Information
[1] Minnesota is taking opioid abuse seriously. Minneapolis Star Tribune. Editorial Board. December 18, 2017. http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-is-taking-opioid-abuse-seriously/465051483/ accessed 03/08/2018.
[2] Volkow ND, Frieden TR, Hyde PS, Chu SS. Medication-assisted therapies – tackling the opioid-overdose epidemic. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(22):2063-6.
[3] Buprenorphine. SAMHSA Website. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/buprenorphine accessed 03/08/2018.
[4] Hostetter M and Klein S. In focus: Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment Through Primary Care. Transforming Care. September 28, 2017. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletters/transforming-care/2017/september accessed 03/08/2018.
2024 Resolutions
2024-01. Support a Moratorium in Minnesota State Law on Private Equity Firms Owning or Operating Medical Services
The MAFP will support a legislatively sought moratorium on private equity in health care.
ADOPTED
2024-02. Health Care Which Is Affordable for Both the Individual and Society
A resolution in support of a single payer health care system.
FILED FOR INFORMATION
2024-03. Medication Abortion Access in Primary Care
The MAFP will support education to medication abortion in primary care.
ADOPTED
2024-04. Reducing Food Waste and Raising Awareness of Food Insecurity
The MAFP will work on the issue of food waste and insecurity.
ADOPTED
2024-05. Listening Devices Improve Quality of Life: Advocating for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Aids
The MAFP will support Medicare coverage of listening devices.
ADOPTED
2024-06. Health Savings Accounts and Direct Primary Care
A resolution in support of direct primary care and the use of health savings account to support DPC.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2024-07a. Increasing Availability of Affordable Housing in Minnesota
A resolution to support the MN Department Housing goals around affordable housing construction.
NOT ADOPTED
2024-07b. Increasing Availability of Affordable Housing in Minnesota
The MAFP will support access to affordable housing.
ADOPTED AS SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION
2024-08. Disaggregation of Population Health Data
The MAFP will support the disaggregation of population health date.
ADOPTED
2024-09. Cease Fire in Gaza
A resolution to publicly support and educate members on a cease fire in Gaza.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2024-10. Amendments to the MAFP Bylaws
The MAFP will amend bylaws to allow the board of directors to make future changes.
ADOPTED
2023 Resolutions
2023-00. MAFP Dues Increase
The MAFP will increase dues for Active members by $25.00 effective with 2024 dues (for total annual MAFP dues of $350.00 for Active members).
ADOPTED
2023-01. Insulin for All: Make Affordable Insulin a Reality
The MAFP will advocate legislatively for access to insulin and insulin affordability programs.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
2023-02. Encouraging Access to Medication Therapy Management Services
The MAFP will support collaboration between family physicians and pharmacists.
ADOPTED
2023-03. Restore Patient Protection Laws
The MAFP will investigate the MN corporate practice of medicine laws and suggest improvement in 2024.
ADOPTED AS SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION
2023-04. Live Interpreters
The MAFP Board of Directors will consider live interpreter payment and seeking areas for improvement.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023-05. Recognizing Access to Civil Legal Aid Services as a Social Determinant of Health
The MAFP will advocate that access to civil legal aid services is a social determinent of health and will submit a resolution to the AAFP Congress of Delegates to do the same.
ADOPTED AS SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION
2023-06. Abolish Slavery and/or Involuntary Servitude from the Minnesota Constitution
The MAFP will advocate for the removal of slavery and/or involuntary serviitude from the Minnesota Constitution and as criminal punishment.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
2023-07. Modifying Physician Compensation to Improve the Fiscal Responsibility, Quality of Care and Equity in Our Developing Medical Systems
The MAFP would advocate to change the model to provide compensation based on diagnosis or diagnoses addressed and the type of care provided.
FILED FOR INFORMATION
2023-08. Advocate for a Level Playing Field for Independent Physician Practices
The MAFP Board of Directors will consider addressing restrictive covenant and provider-based billing and seeking opporutnities for additional advocacy.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023-09. Advocate for Individual Tax Deductibility as an Option
The MAFP would advocate for legislation to have individual health care cost deductibility instead of employer health deductibility as an individual option and ask the AAFP to do the same.
NOT ADOPTED
2023-10. Eliminate Chargemaster Fees
The MAFP would support the elimination of chargemaster fees and replace write-offs and billing for the uninsured at Medicare fee rates and ask the AAFP to do the same.
NOT ADOPTED
2023-11. Eliminate Restrictions on Medical Care Capital Expenditures
The MAFP Board of Directors will consider addressing a moratorium on and MDH restriction on capital expendures in health care.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023-12. Expand Personal Health Care Options
The MAFP would advocate expanding personal health care options to create a friendly medical care marketplace and ask the AAFP to do the same.
NOT ADOPTED
2023-13. Health Care Data Privacy and Unnecessary Testing
The MAFP would encourage patients to use apps to download their medical records and ask the AAFP to consider developing an app for patient use.
NOT ADOPTED
2023-14. Reduce Administrative Burdens on Physicians
The MAFP would study ways in which administrative burdens on physicians could be reduced and bring any recommendations to the 2024 MAFP House of Delegates.
NOT ADOPTED
Submit a Resolution
Resolutions for the 2024 House of Delegates were due April 21, 2024. If you have a resolution for 2024 that you have not submitted, please contact the MAFP office about the possibility of a late submission.