Physicians, medical students, and MSMS Alliance members from across Michigan gathered at the Capitol for MSMS Advocacy Day, representing the full continuum of the medical profession, past, present, and future. Attendees brought a wide range of clinical perspectives, including emergency medicine, dermatology, anesthesiology, OB-GYN, family medicine, addiction medicine, allergy and immunology, and more. This diverse group reflected both employed and independent practice models, underscoring the breadth and complexity of healthcare delivery across the state.
Throughout the day, participants held a total of 18 meetings with legislators from both the House and Senate. These meetings included engagement with three of the four chamber leaders, as well as key members of the House and Senate health policy committees, in addition to other representatives and senators. This level of access ensured that the physician voice was heard by influential policymakers directly involved in shaping healthcare legislation in Michigan.
During these conversations, attendees shared firsthand insights into the regulatory and systemic challenges that impact the physician-patient relationship. They highlighted how administrative burdens, evolving scope-of-practice policies, and insurance-related barriers can interfere with clinical decision-making, restrict patient access to care, and threaten the sustainability of independent medical practices.
A central focus of the discussions was patient safety and the preservation of high-quality, coordinated care. Participants expressed strong opposition to scope-of-practice expansion proposals (House Bills 4399 and 5522, and Senate Bill 268) emphasizing the importance of maintaining physician-led care teams. They articulated concerns that expanding scope without appropriate training standards could fragment care delivery and compromise outcomes.
In addition, attendees advocated for reducing unnecessary administrative complexity. Support was voiced for House Bill 5313, which seeks to streamline continuing medical education (CME) requirements, allowing physicians to focus more time and energy on patient care rather than duplicative regulatory processes.
Insurance practices were another key area of concern. Participants urged lawmakers to advance House Bill 5478, which would introduce greater transparency and accountability around insurance company “clawbacks.” These retroactive payment recoupments create financial uncertainty for practices and can disrupt care continuity, making reform in this area a priority.
MSMS Advocacy Day provided a critical platform for lawmakers and their staff to hear directly from those on the front lines of medicine. The conversations reinforced how legislative decisions translate into real-world impacts on both patients and providers.
MSMS extends its sincere appreciation to all who traveled to Lansing and dedicated time away from their practices, training, and personal commitments to advocate for policies that support physicians and protect patient care. The collective engagement demonstrated the strength and unity of Michigan’s medical community—and the meaningful impact that coordinated advocacy can achieve.
For further information about advocacy events and other ways to get involved, reach out to Kate Dorsey at kdorsey@msms.org.