Earlier this week, Michigan State Medical Society President-elect Rose Ramirez, MD, presented in front of the Michigan House of Representatives Health Policy Committee. The purpose of her presentation was to introduce and reintroduce MSMS to the new and returning committee members.

In addition to talking about MSMS' 150 year history, Doctor Ramirez highlighted various ways MSMS would like to work with the Health Policy Committee. "We are in a time of tremendous change in health care. Physicians are ready to be leaders in making the changes that improve care for our patients. Your constituents are our patients, so we look forward to partnering with the Health Policy Committee in terms of passing legislation that will make Michigan a leader in health care, in areas such as:

• Public health and population health initiatives
• Reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary administrative costs
• Appropriately defining team based health care
• Maximizing access to health care in underserved areas
• Innovate graduate medical education
• Reducing prescription drug abuse."

MEMBER BENEFIT: The practice of medicine is much stronger when we have physicians involved in organized medicine. Together with you, MSMS will continue working on common sense legislation, protecting your rights as a physician and the interests of your patients.