BY JESSIE BRUNELLE, MMS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ADVISOR, AND
JEFFREY PERKINS, MMS LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS COUNSEL
From left to right: Lois Dehls Cornell, MMS Executive Vice President; Officers Representative Greg Schwartz, MD; Barbara S. Spivak, MD; Olivia C. Liao, MD, FACS; and Hugh M. Taylor, MD.
On March 26, physician leaders from the Massachusetts Medical Society convened at the State House to brief legislators on some of the most pressing health care issues facing the Commonwealth. During the well-attended session, MMS officers Hugh
M. Taylor, MD, Olivia C. Liao, MD, FACS, and Barbara S. Spivak, MD, along with Jessie M. Gaeta, MD, shared insights on federal and state policy priorities, placing patient experience at the center of the conversation.
Among the top concerns raised were the implications of potential cuts to Medicaid and ensuring an equitable, sustainable health care system. The MMS leaders also highlighted our state legislative priorities,
including primary care reform, physician burnout caused by administrative burdens like prior authorizations, supporting the sustainability of access to care for patients via telehealth, and advancing solutions to the opioid crisis with the
establishment of overdose prevention centers.
The briefing provided legislators and their staff with an opportunity to hear directly from practicing physicians about the real-world implications of health policy decisions. Our leadership underscored that physician well-being and patient access
are inextricably linked — and that improving both is essential to delivering high-quality, timely, and affordable care.
Special guest Representative Greg Schwartz, MD (D-Newton), the only practicing physician currently serving in the legislature, joined our briefing to share his unique perspective. Dr. Schwartz emphasized the critical role of primary care in a
high-functioning health care system and the importance of strategic investment in this foundational element of care.
Following the briefing, the MMS officers met with influential legislative leaders, including House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senator Cindy Friedman, Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, to advance these key priorities. These
discussions reaffirmed the MMS’s commitment to working with policymakers to improve the practice of medicine and the broader health care landscape in Massachusetts.
With the 2025–2026 legislative session underway and more than 7,000 bills filed, the Society’s early engagement comes at a critical and pivotal moment. As public hearings begin across committees, the Medical Society’s advocacy ensures that the
voice of physicians and the needs of patients remain front and center on Beacon Hill.
As a physician, your perspective is highly respected and valued. Too often, there is a disconnect between the intentions of lawmakers and the real-world impact of those policies. Your voice can bridge that gap, ensuring that legislation is informed
by the realities of patient care and clinical practice. To stay up to date on MMS advocacy and learn about opportunities to get involved, please visit our advocacy page (massmed.org/advocacy/advocacy).
