Guided by the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) Leadership, Committees on Legislative Policy and State Legislative and Regulations, and the MSMS Policy Manual, MSMS actively advocates for Michigan’s physicians at the state Legislature on issues related to the practice of medicine, including scope of practice, health care access, and patient safety. Our advocacy team tracks hundreds of bills throughout the legislative session. Read below for our 2025 Mid-Year Legislative Update.

📊 By the Numbers — January to July 2025

  • 125 Bills Monitored

  • 20 Legislative Testimonies Delivered

  • 2,676 Advocacy Emails Sent

  • 28 Physicians at Advocacy Day

  • 58 Meetings with Lawmakers

MSMS continues to serve as a strong and strategic voice for Michigan physicians—whether in committee rooms, legislative chambers, or through grassroots member advocacy.

đź©ş Tackling the Crisis of Physician Burnout

Testimony Date: April 15, 2025

Committee: House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security

In a high-impact presentation to lawmakers, MSMS testified before the House Oversight Subcommittee to address the growing crisis of physician burnout. A diverse panel of medical leaders, legal experts, and a medical student highlighted:

  • Excessive administrative burdens

  • Stigma around mental health

  • Financial pressures

  • Outdated regulatory practices

MSMS called for targeted reforms to strengthen Michigan’s healthcare workforce, including modernizing licensing and expanding support for physician well-being. Lawmakers expressed strong interest, and MSMS continues working to turn that momentum into meaningful legislative change.

Brain in head outlineAdvancing Health Licensing Reform to Prevent Stigma

Testimony Date:  Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Status:  Passed House Health Policy 15-0, awaiting Floor action

On June 4, the House Health Policy Committee unanimously approved House Bill 4277 (Rep. Matthew Bierlein)—a long-standing MSMS priority. The bill would bar invasive questions about mental health history from physician licensure and renewal forms, focusing instead on current fitness to practice.

This change directly addresses the stigma that prevents physicians from seeking mental health care, offering reassurance that getting help won’t cost them their license. MSMS will continue to push for full passage of this critical reform.

⚠️ Standing Firm Against House Bill 4399 and Unsafe Scope Expansion

Testimony Dates:  Wednesday, April 30, 2025; Wednesday, May 7, 2025; Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Status:  House Committee on Health Policy

MSMS advocacy has meaningfully slowed progress on HB 4399, which would allow nurse practitioners to practice independently—without physician oversight—including prescribing controlled substances and supervising other health professionals.

MSMS responded swiftly and fervently:

  • Organized expert testimony from physicians, patients, and legal experts

  • Emphasized risks to patient safety and care quality

  • Advocated for preserving team-based, physician-led care

While progress on the bill has stalled to date, the threat of future action on the bill has not stopped. MSMS remains fully engaged, prioritizing patient safety over political expediency. Contact your legislators now to let them know this bill is not the right answer for Michigan.

đź’Š Reducing Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Testimony Date:  Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – MSMS submitted cards of support for Senate Bills 397-399; Cara Poland, MD, testified on behalf of the entire Opioid Stewardship Collaborative

Status:  SB 397 Passed Senate 36 – 0; SB 398 Awaiting Senate Vote; SB 399 Passed Senate 33-3; SB 400 Passed Senate 36-0; SB 401 Passed Senate 34-2; SB 402 Passed Senate 31-5; SB 403 Passed Senate 34-2; Transmitted bills referred to House Committee on Insurance

The Senate Health Policy Committee took up a comprehensive package of bills (Senate Bills 397-405) aimed at expanding access to treatment for individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). MSMS, working with a broad coalition of groups including physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, other health care providers, veterinarians, and health plans, played a key role in shaping the discussion and improving the legislation. The coalition is conceptually supportive of the bill package and has been providing detailed feedback to refine language and ensure the bills have a real impact on patient access and public health outcomes.

MSMS took a position of support on SBs 397, 398, 399. Subsequently, the committee adopted several of our recommendations and MSMS is now supportive of 400, 401, 402, and 403. Because SBs 404 and 405 are focused on requiring actions by school districts, MSMS and our partner coalition chose not to take a position; deferring instead to the subject-matter experts in that field.

All bills but SB 398 have been approved by the Senate and are now under consideration in the House Committee on Insurance.

MSMS will continue to advocate for legislation that removes unnecessary barriers and ensures those affected by OUD have access to the care and support they need.

đź“Ś Policy Pulse: Where Key Bills Stand Mid-Year

From health data modernization to mental health reform, MSMS continues to shape legislative policy. Below is a quick snapshot of several key bills and our positions.

  • HBs 4037 & 4038 – Support – Create a health data utility for Michigan. Approved by House Health Policy, awaiting floor action.

  • HB 4072 – Support – Allow patients to take home unused eye drops. Passed House 109–0, sent to Senate Health Policy.

  • HBs 4077 & 4078 – Support – Modify death record certification process. Passed House 106–2, sent to Senate Health Policy.

  • HBs 4306 & 4307 – Monitor – Allow license exceptions after seizures. Approved by House Health Policy, in House Rules Committee.

  • HB 4309 – Monitor – Join Interstate PA Licensure Compact. Passed House 103–3, sent to Senate Health Policy.

  • SBs 3, 4, & 5 – Support – Create Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Passed Senate 20–15, sent to House Government Operations.

  • SB 144 – Neutral – Expand direct access to physical therapy; passed Senate unanimously, sent to House Health Policy.

  • SBs 219, 220, 221, and 222 – Monitor – Update mental health hospitalization procedures; passed Senate unanimously, sent to House Health Policy.

  • SB 244 – Monitor  – Mandate seizure reporting by physicians. This bill awaits a vote in Senate Health Policy. MSMS provided written testimony on June 25, 2025, recognizing the sponsor’s good intentions, but also emphasizing important clinical and legal implications raised in the bill for the Committee’s consideration.

💬 What’s Ahead?

MSMS remains committed to:

  • Championing pro-physician legislation to help physicians better care for their patients

  • Protecting physician-led, team-based care models

  • Addressing physician burnout with real, structural change

Our advocacy is making a difference. Thank you for staying engaged—our collective voice continues to shape Michigan’s healthcare future. Click here to find your legislators and be sure to save the date for the 2026 MSMS Advocacy Day on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
















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