EAST LANSING – The following is a public statement from Mark Komorowski, MD, president of the Michigan State Medical Society, in response to the introduction of HB 4399 and SB 268—scope of practice expansion legislation that removes physicians from the patient care teams.

“Michigan patients deserve a care model that puts their health and safety first. That means care delivered by collaborative, physician-led teams that maximize each provider’s training and expertise. HB 4399 and SB 268 do the opposite. By breaking up these care teams and removing physicians from the equation, these bills jeopardize patient safety, drives up costs, and fails to improve access—particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“Studies have shown that when physicians are removed from care teams, patients are more likely to visit the emergency room, spend more out of pocket, and receive less coordinated care. Worse still, it fails to deliver on its central promise—improving access to care. That’s not the kind of system Michigan families deserve.

“The physician-led, team-based care model has a proven track record of delivering the safest, most favorable patient outcomes. Michigan should help strengthen, not abandon, what works. Lawmakers should stand with patients—not policies that put profits ahead of safety or dismantle the care teams Michigan families depend on.”