From Medicine to Policy: MSMS Member Matt Longjohn, MD’s Commitment to Health Care in Michigan’s Legislature

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From Medicine to Policy: MSMS Member Matt Longjohn, MD’s Commitment to Health Care in Michigan’s Legislature

From Medicine to Policy: MSMS Member Matt Longjohn, MD’s Commitment to Health Care in Michigan’s Legislature

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Matt Longjohn, MD, a newly elected Democratic Representative for Michigan's 40th House District, has big plans as he takes office. A physician by training and a health care leader by profession, Doctor Longjohn's entry into the Michigan House of Representatives comes after he defeated Republican Kelly Sackett in the 2024 general election, earning 57.5% of the vote. Doctor Longjohn replaces former Representative Christine Morse, who stepped down to pursue a judgeship.

Although, he is new to Michigan’s legislature, for over 25 years, Doctor Longjohn has been a nationally recognized leader in public health and health systems innovation.  He has led non-profit organizations and focused on improving health care systems. At Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine (WMed), he co-directs a course on community engagement and health systems science. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Committee to Protect Healthcare (CTP) and the CTP Education Fund. Additionally, he was identified by the Obama Administration as one of the top 100 health innovators in the country. With such a distinguished background in medicine and public health, Doctor Longjohn's expertise naturally extends to his new role in Michigan’s legislature, influencing conversations on health innovation and policy. In an interview with Matt Longjohn, MD, he discussed his background in public health, his reasons for entering public service, and his legislative goals (Gongwer, 2025)1.

A Path to Public Service Rooted in Personal Experience

Doctor Longjohn’s decision to run for office wasn’t born from a singular, defining moment but rather a series of personal and professional experiences that converged over time. Reflecting on his journey, Doctor Longjohn shared, "A year ago today, I still had no idea I'd even contemplate running for anything in 2024." One year ago, at this time "My wife had just finished chemotherapy," he explained, citing there were a lot of little moments, no specific one in his decision to enter public service again after a previous run for Congress in 2018.

The timing of former Representative Morse's decision to run for judge also influenced Longjohn’s decision. The conversations he had after that became a tipping point. “There was just a lot of things” Doctor Longjohn added.

A Focus on Health Care and Policy Collaboration

With a background in the health care sector, Doctor Longjohn feels uniquely equipped to serve on committees focused on health policy. "As the only physician in the Legislature, I have the best ability for the Health Policy Committee and the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee," he said, highlighting his expertise and commitment to improving health systems. Doctor Longjohn’s experience as CEO of a health consulting firm positions him to bring a wealth of knowledge on health care reform to Lansing.

However, in his first term, Doctor Longjohn is less concerned with passing bills in his name and is more focused on building relationships across the aisle. "In the minority, I'll be hoping to find ways through amendments," he explained, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. "I'm more thinking of how I can build relationships to get good ideas to move forward," he added.

Addressing Health Care Shortages

One of Doctor Longjohn’s primary concerns is the shortage of primary care providers. With his background in medicine and firsthand experience of caring for his wife through her battle with cancer, Doctor Longjohn has seen the challenges people face when adequate health care isn’t accessible. "A key concern is with the shortage in primary care providers," he noted, stressing the importance of finding solutions to this critical issue during his time in the legislature.

Building Relationships Across Party Lines

Though still getting to know many of his colleagues, Doctor Longjohn is already looking forward to fostering relationships with members of both parties. From his own party, he anticipates learning from Representative. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), a friend and neighbor who has experience in both minority and majority leadership roles. "As the last chair of House Health Policy, I expect to keep learning from her," he said.

On the Republican side, Doctor Longjohn expressed interest in connecting with Representative Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), an ambulance operator in Calhoun County. "I've certainly been interested in getting Steve Frisbie's thoughts on the health care industry," he remarked, highlighting that he has been “encouraged during the (legislative) training process to have substantive conversations” about issues that impact their shared constituencies.

Unexpected Lessons in the Legislature

Doctor Longjohn has also been surprised by the professionalism he’s encountered since joining the House. "I didn't expect the level of professionalism in the nonpartisan House Business Office," he said. The smooth and efficient preparation leading up to the legislative session, especially between election day and New Year's Day, left a lasting impression on him.

A Unique District with Growing Democratic Strength

Doctor Longjohn’s district, which encompasses parts of Kalamazoo County, stands out as one of the few bright spots for Democrats in the 2024 election. While Michigan is often seen as a battleground state with a concentration of Democratic support in southeast Michigan, Kalamazoo County proved to be a stronghold for Longjohn’s party. "It was one of the places in which Democrats outperformed 2020 numbers in 2024," he pointed out, underscoring the growing strength of his district in the political landscape.

Looking Ahead

As Doctor Longjohn begins his tenure in Michigan’s House of Representatives, his commitment to improving health care, building cross-party relationships, and representing his community remains at the forefront of his efforts. With his extensive background as a physician, in health care, and a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, he will take a collaborative approach to legislation and is poised to make a meaningful impact on Michigan's legislative process.

 

1 Longjohn, M. (2025, January 21). From Medicine to Policy: MSMS Member Matt Longjohn, MD’s Commitment to Health Care in Michigan’s Legislature, Article based on interview conducted by Nick Smith, Gongwer News Service.