State Advocacy

The MMS advances its advocacy agenda via the executive and legislative branches of Massachusetts state government through legislation, regulation and policymaking.

• MMS 2013 Public Opinion Survey Shows High Satisfaction with Health Care, Easy Access to Care, But Cost, Affordability Remain Most Important Issues August 5, 2013

  Seven years into health care reform, and despite longer wait times for appointments with physicians, Massachusetts residents remain as satisfied with the health care they receive as they were before reform began and are finding access to the care they need without difficulty, according to a...

• 2013 MMS Patient Access to Care Study July 15, 2013

  The Massachusetts Medical Society’s ninth annual Patient Access to Care Study shows that wait times for new patient appointments with primary care physicians remain long, and that half or more of primary care practices remain closed to new patients. At the same time, physicians’ acceptance of...

• MMS Study Shows Patient Wait Times for Primary Care Still Long July 15, 2013

  The ninth annual MMS Patient Access to Care Study shows that wait times for new patient appointments with primary care physicians remain long, that half or more of primary care practices remain closed to new patients. However the acceptance of the government insurance programs of Medicare and...

• Two State Budget Provisions Improve the Physician Practice Environment July 2, 2013

  The FY 2014 state budget passed by the Legislature has significant improvements to the Prescription Monitoring Program and the Disclosure, Apology & Offer law.

• MMS Working with State Agencies to Interpret EHR Mandate May 31, 2013

  The MMS has begun working with several state agencies to develop recommendations on how to interpret and implement a recent state law that seeks to foster the implementation of electronic health records in Massachusetts.

• Massachusetts House Concludes Budget Action April 25, 2013

  The House budget seems to fund MassHealth and public health programs in a way that will allow continued access to care.

• Testimony of the Massachusetts Medical Society Concerning Senate 1029 An Act Relative To Prescription Drug Adverse Event Reporting April 2, 2013

  The MMS suggests this legislation could be improved by focusing on opioid abuse and asking the PMP to review reported opioid overdose deaths and to cross reference this material with PMP data.

• Letter to Gov. Patrick Regarding Medical Marijuana Draft Regulations April 2, 2013

  On behalf of the physicians of Massachusetts, I want to record our support for the efforts of Commissioner Smith and the staff of the Department of Public Health in drafting proposed regulations on medical marijuana use in Massachusetts.

• MMS: DPH Medical Marijuana Regulations 'Thoughtful and Responsible March 29, 2013

  Statement of Richard V. Aghababian, MD, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, following the release of proposed regulations for the medical marijuana law.

• Massachusetts Medical Society Testifies in Opposition to Proposed Regulations of Prescription Monitoring Program March 22, 2013

  MMS testimony raises objections to proposed DPH regulations, while also suggesting changes and improvements that would “establish a program that is effective and efficient.”

• Testimony of the Massachusetts Medical Society In Opposition to Proposed Amendments to 105 CMR 700.000, the Controlled Substances Act March 22, 2013

  While the MMS strongly supports the availability of an efficient and accurate prescription monitoring database to prescribers and dispensers in Massachusetts, we oppose certain proposed changes to the regulations for the program.

• Letter to Governor Patrick on Prescription Monitoring Program Regulations March 14, 2013

  Letter opposes proposed regulations on updates to the state Prescription Monitoring Program.

• DPH Proposes New Regulations for Prescription Monitoring Program February 15, 2013

  The draft regulations spell out the requirements for review of 12 months of prescribing history in the PMP database by all fully licensed physicians and other professionals for new patients and those who have not been seen in the past 12 months.

• 2013-2014 MMS State Legislation January 24, 2013

  Overview of legislation filed by the MMS for the 2013-2014 session of the Massachusetts Legislature.

• 2011-2012 State Health Care Laws January 7, 2013

  Overview of the major state health care laws passed by the Massachusetts Legislature during its 2011-12 session.

• Massachusetts Medical Society Adopts New Policy on Medical Marijuana in Wake of New Law December 2, 2012

  The MMS House of Delegates has approved an extensive new resolution on medical marijuana, outlining considerations and criteria for regulations governing the implementation of the law, following voter approval of the ballot initiative in November that allows the use of medical marijuana the state.

• MMS Outlines Proposed Criteria for New Medical Marijuana Law December 1, 2012

  The MMS House of Delegates passed a set of recommendations relating to the state’s new medical marijuana law, calling for the MMS to advocate for the development of appropriate certification criteria for certification for medical marijuana use.

• Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Code of Conduct November 21, 2012

  Summaries, FAQs and the full text of the statute and regulations from the Mass. Office of Health and Human Services.

• Testimony of the Massachusetts Medical Society Concerning Emergency Regulations adopted by the Department of Public Health Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Conduct October 18, 2012

  MMS testifies that the proposed DPH regulations are consistent with its policy on gifts to physicians by the pharmaceutical industry.

• Legislative Update: Payment Reform Signed Into Law August 10, 2012