With summer recess approaching, both the House and Senate Health Policy Committees held what is expected to be their final meetings before the Legislature turns its full attention to the state budget, particularly the School Aid Fund. MSMS was active on multiple fronts, weighing in on key legislation and continuing its advocacy to protect physician leadership and strengthen patient care across Michigan.

Legislature Wraps Up Health Policy Work Ahead of Summer Budget Focus:

In the Senate Health Policy Committee, members considered a range of bills, including a package addressing treatment barriers for people with opioid use disorder and a bill mandating that physicians report patients with a “seizure episode” to the Secretary of State. MSMS has reviewed and offered suggestions for the bills in the opioid treatment package. MSMS is also in talks with the Chair’s office regarding the mandated reporting bills and will continue to work for a balance between public safety and the protection of the doctor-patient relationship.

Meanwhile, the House Health Policy Committee reviewed legislation covering topics such as interstate compacts for various healthcare professionals, including physicians, driving regulations for individuals with epilepsy or other seizure disorders (different than the proposal taken up in the Senate), and allowing contact lens purchasing to take place via telemedicine. Importantly, the House Health Policy Committee did not take up House Bill 4399, which would allow for the unsupervised practice of medicine by nurse practitioners, indicating that the Chair will continue to work for changes over the summer. MSMS and its coalition partners will continue to emphasize the importance of the physician-led health care team.

With budget negotiations now taking center stage, it’s expected that substantive health policy discussions will pause until fall session resumes. MSMS will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate on behalf of Michigan’s physicians and patients.

MSMS Works with the Protect MI Care Coalition to Lift Up Medicaid:

At the Vigil to Protect MI Care held in Lansing on Wednesday, David Walsworth, MD, MSMS Board Member, delivered a compelling message on behalf of the Michigan State Medical Society, urging lawmakers to oppose harmful Medicaid cuts.

“Medicaid is more than a line item. It is a lifeline—one that touches nearly every part of our state,” Doctor Walsworth told attendees.

He underscored Medicaid’s essential role in covering nearly one million Michigan children, supporting seniors who need long-term care, helping working families access preventive services, and providing daily, life-sustaining care for people with disabilities.

Doctor Walsworth warned that cutting this funding would ripple through communities statewide—denying care, deepening health disparities, and pushing already strained health systems to the brink.

Joining Doctor Walsworth at the vigil were other passionate advocates for protecting Medicaid, including State Senator Sylvia Santana, representing Michigan’s 2nd Senate District; Meghan Groen, Medicaid Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and Monique Stanton, President & CEO, Michigan League for Public Policy

Together, these leaders called on policymakers to protect Medicaid and preserve the health, dignity, and stability of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. MSMS will continue to work with other coalition members to uplift the importance of sufficient funding for Medicaid.