MMS Testimony

MMS officers frequently offer testimony and/or legal perspectives to state and federal officials on issues relevant to Massachusetts physicians and their patients.

• Testimony In Opposition to House 1632 An Act To Regulate And Tax The Cannabis Industry April 24, 2014

  The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) wishes to be recorded in opposition to House 1632 because it goes against established policies of the MMS in opposing recreational use of marijuana.  Just last week a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience connected marijuana use to brain...

• MMS Testimony in Support of H.1227 An Act Relative to the Valuation of Professional Practices in Divorce Proceedings April 8, 2014

  The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) wishes to be recorded in support for H.1227, “An Act Relative to the Valuation of Professional Practices in Divorce Proceedings.”  The MMS is grateful to Rep. Michael Brady for filing this legislation.

• Comments on the Health Policy Council's Patient Centered Medical Home Certification Criteria March 25, 2014

  The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) agrees with the definition of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) as care that is accessible, comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, family-centered, compassionate, culturally-competent, and in which the primary care physician shares responsibility for...

• MMS Testimony Concerning Senate Bill 467 An Act Relative To Telemedicine March 5, 2014

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to offer the following points for the Committee’s consideration in reviewing S.467. The bill defines telemedicine as:  “the use of audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment as it pertains to the delivery...

• MMS Testimony In Opposition To H.939 An Act Relative To Consumer Choice Of Nurse Midwife Services March 5, 2014

  The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) wishes to be recorded in opposition to H.939, “An Act Relative to Consumer Choice of Nurse Midwife Services.”  If passed, this bill would significantly expand the scope of practice and practice settings of certified nurse midwives (CNM’s).

• Testimony on Proposed Draft Regulation 958 CMR 6.00, Registration of Provider Organizations February 12, 2014

  In regulatory testimony, MMS cautions the Health Policy Commission about the potential administrative burdens of a state provider registration system.

• Testimony in Support of House Bill 1994 An Act to Provide for the Autonomy of Hospital Medical Staffs December 17, 2013

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in strong support of H. 1994 “An Act to Provide for the Autonomy of Hospital Medical Staffs” legislation aimed at protecting the independence of hospital medical staff organizations and personnel so that they can continue to do their work.

• Testimony In Opposition to House 1901 An Act To Repeal The Medical Peer Review Statute December 17, 2013

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in strong opposition to H. 1901. The full text of this refiled  bill states: “Section 204 of chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the first four paragraphs and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph

• Testimony In Support of Senate 1038 An Act To Improve Quality, Encourage Peer Review and Reduce Costs in Health Care December 17, 2013

  Massachusetts is engaged in serious efforts to improve access to affordable and high quality health care. Initiatives include recommendations on new delivery models such as accountable care organizations and reductions in costs associated with defensive medicine.

• Testimony in Support for S.1012 An Act Relative to Emergency and Disaster Planning for Health Care Providers December 17, 2013

  The MMS wishes to be recorded in strong support for S.1012.  This bill grants qualified civil immunity to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide emergency medical services, so-called EMTALA providers, except in the case of willful or wanton misconduct or reckless...

• Testimony of the MMS Concerning Senate 1090 An Act Prohibiting the Participation of Health Care Professionals in the Abuse and Torture of Prisoners December 17, 2013

  Physicians should not participate in or assist any coercive interrogation including degradation, threats, isolation, imposition of fear, humiliation, sensory deprivation or excessive stimulation, sleep deprivation, exploitation of phobias, or intentional infliction of physical pain.

• Testimony In Opposition to H.1998, An Act Affirming a Terminally Ill Patient's Right To Compassionate Aid In Dying December 17, 2013

  Testimony affirming long-held MMS policy that physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer.