Dear Chair Rodrigues:
On behalf of the over 24,000 physician, resident, and student members of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), we commend your efforts, and those of the committee members and staff, to advance the health and well-being of all the Commonwealth’s residents
during these challenging fiscal times. As you prepare the Senate Ways and Means budget for FY26, the MMS wishes to share some recommendations that will help strengthen the physician workforce and expand access to care. We believe the following proposals
will build upon the Senate’s commitment to improving health care delivery to meet the needs of our patients:
Physician Health Services — $250,000
We respectfully request $250,000 in level funding to support the critical mission and services provided by PHS, as allocated in line item 4510-0710 of the FY25 budget.
Physician Health Services (PHS), a nonprofit subsidiary of the MMS supporting physician health and wellness. PHS is dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and effectiveness of physicians and medical students while promoting patient safety. This
is achieved through education and prevention, as well as assessment, referral to treatment, and monitoring. Research shows that physician health programs significantly reduce overall malpractice risk, increase patient safety, mitigate burnout, and
improve physician retention. Physician retention is absolutely critical given the physician workforce shortages, particularly in primary care. In Massachusetts, approximately 36k members of the medical community are eligible for free services through
PHS.
Historically, PHS has relied on charitable donations and grants to sustain its operations. However, this funding model has become increasingly untenable, particularly amid downward financial pressures on all institutions and rising demand for mental health
services. Because PHS is akin to an indispensable public utility, it needs a more sustainable funding stream to effectively meet demand. Level funding would aid PHS in its continued operations, providing critical support to the physicians of Commonwealth.
Outside Sections
The MMS would also like to be recorded in support of the following outside sections in H.1: Universal Adult Vaccination Program (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 75, 76, 77, 121); Expanded MassHealth Rebates (72); Connector Pilot Expansion (111, 112, 114).
Thank you for your attention to these comments. We are happy to connect at your convenience to discuss further or respond to any questions or requests for more information that you or your staff may have.
Sincerely,
Hugh M. Taylor, MD
CC: Members of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means
View a PDF of this letter here.
