The MSMS Advocacy Division works to ensure the voice of Michigan physicians is at the forefront when legislators, regulators, and insurers are considering actions that impact the profession, the physician-patient relationship, and the ability to deliver high quality health care. Each month we will be highlighting some of the previous month’s activities that have kept MSMS staff working hard on your behalf. Below are highlights from September 2024.

• Submitted comments on behalf of MSMS regarding the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and stressed the need for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reverse the proposed payment cut and support reform via H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act.
• Submitted comments on the proposed Michigan regulations related to Universal Blood Lead Testing regarding the breadth of the mandate.
• Responded to legislators seeking input on draft legislation including the licensure of naturopaths and respiratory therapists, licensure for physicians trained and currently licensed outside of the United States, scope of practice changes for audiologists, and the establishment of a “do not sell” list for firearms on which individuals could voluntarily place themselves.
• Represented Michigan physicians in a number of meetings with health plans, coalitions, and advisory groups such as the state of Michigan’s Community Information Exchange Advisory Council, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Medicaid, Priority Health, CPAN, Michigan Medical Billers Association Annual Expo, Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance, Social Care and Health Equity Payer Policy Alignment Group, and Michigan Health Interoperability Virtual e-Laboratory (MiHIVE).
• Hosted a virtual No Surprises Act Roundtable focused on the impact to physician practices of state and federal laws that seek to protect consumers from “surprise” out-of-network billing, best practices, and how to file complaints with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services if payers are not following the law.