surgery or Listerism. 1887 – The Minnesota State Medical Society persuades the Legislature to pass the nation's first state law requiring physicians to be examined by a board of medical examiners in order to practice. 1888 – The Minnesota State Medical Society supports the creation of the University of Minnesota's medical school. 1891 – The first expulsion of a member from the Minnesota State Medical Society is enforced due to advertising that is considered unethical. 1903 – The Minnesota State Medical Society changes its name to the Minnesota Medical Association. 1918 – The MMA launches the journal Minnesota Medicine. 1925 – Malpractice legislation proposed by the MMA becomes law. 1926 – The MMA begins to encourage regular health examinations for patients. 1928 – The MMA works with legislators to pass the Basic Science Bill, which helps set standards for the education and qualifications of practicing health care providers and allows the state to prosecute illegal practitioners and quacks. 1940 – The MMA creates a Committee on Medical Testimony to investigate and study cases referred to it by judges who believe that false medical testimony has been deliberately given. 1947 – The MMA begins a nonprofit prepaid medical service, Minnesota Medical Service Inc. 1975 – The MMA successfully pushes for Minnesota's Clean Indoor Air Act—the first in the nation. 1980 – The MMA launches its physician-owned liability company, the Minnesota Medical Insurance Exchange (however, no longer in partnership) in response to skyrocketing premiums. 1984 – The MMA helps found the anti-tobacco group Minnesota Smoke-Free 2000. 1986 – The MMA successfully advocates for tort reform legislation that addresses frivolous malpractice lawsuits. 1987 – Only 14 percent of drivers wear seatbelts. The MMA successfully pushes for a law requiring seatbelt use. 1989 – The MMA and Utah Medical Association form the Geographic Coalition to raise awareness of geographic disparities in Medicare reimbursement and work for their correction. 1997 – The MMA convinces the Legislature to reduce the MinnesotaCare tax from 2% to 1.5%. The MMA succeeds in eliminating the $400 surcharge on physician medical licenses. 2000 – The MMA successfully advocates for a prompt pay law. 2003 – Gov. Pawlenty proclaims July 23, 2003, the MMA's 150th anniversary, Minnesota Medical Association Day. 2004 - The MMA inaugurates its first Hispanic President and declares obesity a disease. 2005 – The MMA released its health care reform vision, Physicians' Plan for a Health Minnesota 2006