MAFP Advocacy Focused on Access to Primary Care, Protecting Physician-led Team-based Care, Preserving Physician-Patient Relationships

The Michigan Legislature continued to work through priority issues this week, addressing child marriage and sexual assault legislation. Yet to be finalized is the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, with the non-binding deadline of July 1 for the Legislature to present a budget to the Governor looming ever closer.

Budget targets have been reached for individual department budgets, but conference committees have not reported final proposals for House and Senate consideration. Throughout the budget process, MAFP continues to advocate for investments in initiatives aimed at increasing access to healthcare for all Michiganders:

• MIDOCs, established in 2017 to expand residency positions in primary care and other urgent-need specialties and retain physicians in underserved areas of the state
• Michigan State Loan Repayment Program, which helps employers recruit and retain primary medical, dental, and mental healthcare professionals by providing loan repayment assistance
• Medicaid physician payment increase, initially funded in the FY 2022-2023 state budget, for certain primary care and child wellness services
• Additional Medicaid payment increase for physician and non-physician professional services

With the official start of summer now underway, the Legislature is scheduled to meet less frequently, as typically happens beginning in June. Just six session days are scheduled for July and August combined; however, this could be adjusted as needed to finalize the budget.

Behind the scenes, MAFP’s advocacy team is continuing to meet with legislators on pharmacist and advance practice registered nurse scope of practice bills as well as childhood lead testing mandate legislation. As always, your Academy is diligently working to protect physician-led team-based care and preserve the physician-patient relationship.