The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) has announced Minnesota State Senator Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) is the recipient of the organization’s 2020 James H. Sova Memorial Award for Advocacy. Senator Rosen received the award for driving the effort for this year’s landmark prior authorization reform bill, as well as her work on prescription drug price transparency.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Sen. Rosen. “But awards like these are more important for what they represent. Today I am thinking of the thousands of Minnesotans who will be able to save money on their medicine or have an easier time getting the critical care they need. Those are the things that make a real difference in people’s lives, and I’m proud of the work we did to help make it happen.”

“The MMA was delighted this year to present our James H. Sova Memorial Advocacy Award to Sen. Julie Rosen and Rep. Kelly Morrison,” said Janet Silversmith, CEO of the Minnesota Medical Association. “Thanks to Senator Rosen’s commitment and hard work she has improved patient access to affordable prescription medications and reduced administrative inefficiencies in care delivery associated with the prior authorization process. These were not easy accomplishments; but thanks to Senator Rosen’s leadership, her bipartisan coordination, and her cooperation with affected stakeholders real progress was made.”

The James H. Sova Memorial Award is the Minnesota Medical Association’s top award for advocacy and is given to an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of public policy, medical sciences, medical education, medical care, or the socio-economics of medical practice. James Sova was the chief lobbyist for the MMA from 1968 until the time of his death at the American Medical Association meeting in December 1981.