News & Media
Legislative Update: Light Week as Legislature Returns from Thanksgiving Break
After a two-week recess, the Legislature returned this week with a light agenda. The Senate met on a three-day schedule, while the House convened for a single day on December 2. Both chambers are expected to resume their regular schedules next week, with multiple committee meetings likely to be scheduled.
Register for Advocacy Day
MSMS encourages all physicians to register for Advocacy Day on March 11, 2026. This event provides an opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers about timely issues impacting medical practice and patient care in Michigan. With key debates ahead—ranging from scope of practice to step therapy reforms and reimbursement challenges—physician engagement is essential to ensure policymakers understand the realities of practicing medicine in Michigan. Advocacy Day offers a structured, impactful forum to share your expertise, build relationships, and strengthen the collective voice of Michigan physicians. Your participation helps to safeguard high-quality care for patients and advance the policies that support a strong, sustainable health care system.
Senate Health Policy Committee Takes up PANS/PANDAS Coverage Bill
The Senate Health Policy Committee heard testimony from parents and advocates urging support for SB 447, sponsored by Senator Kevin Hertel, which would require insurers to cover treatments such as IVIG for children diagnosed with PANS and PANDAS. Michigan PANS/PANDAS Alliance Director Bruce Goodman described the rapid, devastating onset of the conditions and shared his granddaughter’s experience to highlight gaps in insurance coverage. Witnesses noted that while insurers typically cover antibiotics and steroids, they often deny IVIG as “off-label,” a characterization advocates called misleading given its common medical use. The Senate hearing follows similar discussions in the House last summer, when parents also pressed lawmakers for action beyond an awareness day resolution. MSMS will continue to closely monitor this bill.
House Democrats Hold Press Conference for Vaccine Bills
At a recent press conference, lawmakers introduced a package of bills designed to improve transparency around school and childcare vaccination rates, with the goal of helping families make informed choices amid rising waiver requests and national measles outbreaks. The legislation would make immunization data easier for parents to access while preserving parental autonomy and individual privacy. Supporters emphasized that families deserve clear, evidence-based information and noted that physicians remain the most trusted and qualified professionals to discuss vaccine benefits and risks with their patients.
MSMS’ priority is making sure families have access to clear, reliable information so they can make the choices that are right for them. Any effort that helps patients better understand their risks, their options, and the science behind immunization strengthens the partnership between families and their physicians. MSMS staff is reviewing these bills and will closely monitor their status.
Local Meetings with Legislators
Legislator coffee hours offer a great opportunity to ask questions, share your perspective, and hear firsthand updates from Lansing. Building and maintaining relationships with your elected officials is critical, as they appreciate being able to turn to their local physicians as a trusted resource when deliberating on policies that affect our communities and our profession.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
- Senator Sam Singh (D) Local Coffee Hours 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. East Lansing Library- 950 Abbott Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823
- Representative Mike Hoadley (R) Local Office Hours 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Baldwin Township Hall, 1119 Monument Rd, Tawas City, MI 48763
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
- Senator Stephanie Chang (D) Local Coffee Hours 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vesey Lane Goods- 9920 Kercheval Ave. Detroit, MI 48214
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
- Representative Mike Hoadley (R) Local Office Hours 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Daily Cup, 114 N Williams ST, Rose City, 48654
AND 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Standish City Hall, 399 E Beaver St, Standish, MI 48658
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
- Representatives Jason Hoskins (D), Natalie Price (D), Samantha Steckloff (D), and Senator Jeremy Moss (D) Southfield Community Conversation 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48076