News & Media
Summer Actions for Legislative Advocacy
With the August primary elections in Michigan less than two weeks away, campaign yard signs and mailers are largely unavoidable. While it's always important to exercise your right to vote, 2018 is a particularly pivotal year as all state lawmakers and the Governor's seat are on the ballot. If you plan on voting in the August primary -- and hopefully you do -- begin to familiarize yourself with the candidates. If you don’t know your polling location, you can visit the Michigan Secretary of State's website. There you may also view a sample ballot to see who is running in your county.
It's also helpful to get out and meet the candidates and/or incumbent lawmakers. Many lawmakers host "coffee hours" in their districts which provide an open-door forum for constituents to visit and share their perspective on the issues of most concern. While MSMS proactively organizes grassroots outreach throughout the summer months -- this summer we are featuring a Summer Roundtable Series on Maintenance of Certification -- MSMS is also willing to help set up in-district meetings with lawmakers by request. If you are interested in any of the above or you'd like to see what issues are front in center of our agenda or check on the status of legislation we are monitoring, please visit Engage to learn more.
MSMS is also closely following the races and researching candidates who may be best positioned to defend the issues of most importance to physicians and patients. January 2019 will assuredly bring many new faces to Lansing. With nearly 70 percent of state senate seats on the table due to term limits, a significant percentage of the legislature could be comprised of freshman lawmakers. That said, ensuring new and returning lawmakers, alike, understand the appropriate role of government as it relates to the practice of medicine is paramount. This is just one of the examples where the role of MDPAC is critical. Contribute today to ensure the voice of physicians continues to resonate loud and clear in Lansing.