Members Meet at Capitol for Advocacy Day 2024, MAFP Leadership Testifies on SB 279

On Wednesday, March 20, MAFP and Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians welcomed 200 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students to the state Capitol. Members met with 60+ legislators and asked them to oppose inappropriate expansion of Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice, increase funding for MIDOCs, and increase Medicaid payment rates. The event also included a keynote presentation from Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan. Our members met with legislators to discuss policy issues impacting primary care in our state and shared personal experiences related to the family medicine practice environment and patient-physician relationship.

Advocacy Day also included a key event: the Senate Health Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 279 which would expand Nurse Practitioners' scope of practice. President Beena Nagappala, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and President-elect Rachel Klamo, DO, MS, FAAFP, testified at the hearing. MAFP’s main concern with this legislation is its effect on patient safety and coordination of care. Non-physician providers are valuable members of care teams. However, since their education and training are not as extensive or rigorous as physicians, preserving physician-led team-based care is best for patients.

Thank you to all who attended and helped organize Advocacy Day!