Reps. Moolenaar, Gosselin, Stahl, Ball, Booher, Brandenburg, Espinoza, Gillard, Gleason, Green, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Jones, Kahn, Kooiman, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Meyer, Mortimer, Nitz, Palmer, Pastor, Pearce, Proos, Sak, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Alma Smith, Vander Veen, Waters and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 248.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to amend the definition of "physician" in the Medicaid program to include podiatric physicians.

            Whereas, The Medicare system has long recognized doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians in federal law. However, the provisions of Title XIX that establish the country's Medicaid program do not include podiatric physicians in the definition of "physician"; and

            Whereas, There is legislation pending in the Congress, H.R. 699 and S. 440, to require that podiatry services are covered by Medicaid. Enactment of this measure would guarantee access to quality foot and ankle care for Medicaid patients; and

            Whereas, Podiatric physicians play an important role in the recognition of systemic diseases, such as diabetes, as well as recognition and treatment of peripheral neuropathy, a frequent cause of diabetic foot wounds that can lead to amputations if left untreated; and

            Whereas, Under the current provisions, Medicaid patients may be prevented from seeking care from a podiatric physician because these services are not covered as "physician services." This policy puts many people at risk, especially diabetic patients; and

            Whereas, Quality foot care increases mobility, prevents amputations, improves quality of life, and avoids numerous unnecessary costs. Clearly, including podiatric services under the Medicaid program is a prudent step to take; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to amend the definition of "physician" in the Medicaid program to include podiatric physicians; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.