Forty years ago, as a surgical intern, I remember boarding a bus to Lansing alongside thousands of others to support pending legislation addressing Michigan’s liability crisis. Physicians faced an existential threat: liability awards were astronomical, premiums were soaring, physicians were leaving the state, and the cost of care was rising as defensive medicine became the norm. It took a decade of tireless work and public advocacy to educate legislators and achieve meaningful tort reform. These reforms have served both patients and physicians well for the past three decades.

Today, Michigan physicians are once again under attack. Trial lawyers are pushing to overturn these hard-won reforms, attempting to use the lame-duck session to roll back progress before control of the House transfers to Republicans in January. Ten years of effort could be undone in just two weeks.

Michigan continues to face serious public health challenges. While the legislature emphasizes addressing social determinants of health, we must remind our elected officials that these efforts are futile without ensuring patients’ access to physicians.

Last week, MSMS leaders convened via Zoom to discuss House Bills 6085 and 6086 and their potentially devastating impact. If you missed the meeting, I strongly encourage you to watch the detailed presentation here.

Looking ahead, MSMS will hold a general membership update via Zoom on Tuesday, December 3, at 5:30 PM, in preparation for the House Judiciary Committee hearing on these bills scheduled for Wednesday, December 4. This webinar is free, and non-members are welcome. You can register for Tuesday’s meeting here.

As we face this renewed challenge, grassroots efforts are critical to blocking the passage of these bills. The MSMS Advocacy Center provides a convenient way for physicians, non-members, patients, and staff to email their legislators. Please take a moment to use this tool and encourage others to do the same.

Finally, let’s plan for the future. The Michigan Doctors Political Action Committee (MDPAC) is an essential resource for advocacy. MDPAC-endorsed candidates achieved a 96% success rate in the November elections, underscoring its value. With the entire state House and Senate up for election in 2026, we must ensure our PAC remains well-funded. I am asking each of you to contribute $300 for 2025. Together, we can sustain the fight for our profession and the patients we serve.

Mark C Komorowski, MD, FACS
President, Great Lakes Physician Organization
President, Michigan State Medical Society
Chair, Michigan Delegation to the AMA