Dear FY’25 Budget Conferees:
On behalf of the over 25,000 physician, resident, and student members of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), we wish to thank you for your efforts, as members of the FY’25 Conference Committee, to produce a final appropriations package that supports meaningful investments to advance the health and well-being of all people in Massachusetts during these challenging fiscal times.
We are grateful to the House and Senate for your continued commitment to supporting the mental and behavioral health of people in the Commonwealth. We strongly encourage the inclusion of funding allocated in S.2800 to address burnout and support physician well-being in the final conference report, which will help bolster and retain our physician workforce amidst significant shortages.
S.2800, DPH Line Item 4510-0710 – Operative language:
provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program to support the health, well-being and recovery of health care providers; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the operation and administration of Physician Health Services, Inc. to support the health, well-being and recovery of physicians and medical students.
This language would provide support for two critical public utility programs: the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program (URAMP) and Physician Health Services (PHS).
URAMP was established by the legislature in response to the pressing need for mental and behavioral health support for clinicians. Enacted via the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 (Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022), URAMP provides a voluntary avenue for monitoring and rehabilitating licensed health care professionals grappling with mental health or substance use disorders.
This provision further supports the viability of PHS, a nonprofit that offers confidential consultation and support to physicians and medical students. PHS addresses a spectrum of concerns, from stress and burnout to mental health and substance use disorders. Recognizing the effectiveness and comprehensive nature of PHS's existing services, the legislature excluded physicians from URAMP. PHS offers education, prevention, assessment, referral to treatment, and is authorized as a diversionary program with the Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) to provide monitoring services, ensuring that physicians who are proactively engaged in treatment and monitoring are able to remain in the workforce.
Recent reports from PHS indicate a significant surge in mental health-related services, reflecting the mounting toll of prolonged burnout exacerbated by the pandemic. Physician health programs play a pivotal role in reducing overall malpractice risk, enhancing patient safety, mitigating burnout, and fostering physician retention. With widespread burnout prompting many physicians to exit clinical practice, there's a pressing need to prioritize physician retention, particularly for critically needed specialties like primary care, amidst worsening physician shortages.
Collectively, these programs address the critical mental and behavioral health needs of our health care clinicians. Given the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting and retaining our health care workforce, we respectfully request the inclusion of this language, which is critical to carrying out the vision of the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0.
Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Hugh Taylor, MD
