The Louisiana State Medical Society was formed in 1878 with the sole purpose of advancing "healthcare in the state of Louisiana. Today our mission is to be the trusted advocate for patients and physicians in the State of Louisiana. Learn more about the history of LSMS here: https://lsms.org/page/History.
Advocacy in Action People, Party & Power: All politics is local!
LSMS Annual Meeting Destin, FL | 2 August 2025
To Get Politics Out of Medicine, Physicians Must Get Into Politics!
Today’s Talking Heads!
John Poole, MD AMPAC Chair Medical Society of New Jersey AMA Southeastern Delegation Chair
Susan Bankston, MD PAC Chair LSMS Board of Governors LSMS COL
Matt Giglia, MD COL Chair LSMS Board of Governors PAC Board
Maria Bowen
Your lobbyist Moderator Color Commentator
Federally Speaking My Journey to Advocacy Washington Update AMA Federal Advocacy Tools for Physician Advocates
There to Here! Introducing Physicians PAC The Game Starts Now for 2027 What’s Different The Regional Approach
State PAC Board - Each LSMS District has a board seat - Contributes at least $1,000 - LSMS Physician member - Coordination of all activities - Management of finances and reporting - Retains a percentage (15-20) of funds - Issues Education development - Final decision on regional recommendations - Determines statewide race involvement - Ability to subsidize a district Regional Advisory Committee - Chaired by District’s PAC Board member - Includes other PAC members from area - COL Representative if PAC member - Recommends use of funds raised locally - Interviews and recommends endorsement of legislative candidates - Recruits, researches candidates - Attends fundraisers/distributes PAC checks - Hosts annual meet & greet
What is the Regional Approach?
Local
Did we mention that all politics are local? What makes us say
Without exception, every single member of the Louisiana legislature has some combination of the following actualities:
Is in a club in their district.
Goes to church in their district.
Wants their constituents to vote for them!
Sees a physician
Has kids!
in their district.
Parties don’t matter in their district.
Lives in their district.
Eats at cafes in their district.
Grocery shops in their district.
Works (or retired) in their district.
Has family in their district.
We’re at war. • Public Health is under attack. • Scope of practice comes every year. • Rumors continue on medical malpractice being an issue next year. • We expect to see funding issues arise, meaning healthcare spending is at risk. • We are looking at starting new programs in Medicaid around MAHA. • Misinformation on social media is becoming Gospel.
Example of a Texas Food Farmacy w/ thanks to Harris Health. https://youtu.be/lIrjEQGa5Bk
Let’s talk about Social Media & Posts made since session started.
To Get Politics Out of Medicine, Physicians Must Get Into Politics! Now what?
Communication is key.
1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Credibly
Communicate
Consistent
Content
Consistently
Communicate
Credible
Content
Consistently
Communicate
Credible
Content
Constantly
Constantly
Communicate
Consistent
Credibly
Content
Constantly
Communicate
Consistent
Content
When did Credibility get lost and how do we bring it back?
Why shouldYOU communicate? You know medicine.
Businesspeople/Consultants
39
Oil & Gas/Chemical/Industrial
7
Social Work/Therapy/Mental Health
5
Attorneys
37
Realtors
7
Healthcare Administrators
4
Public Servants/Retirees
20
Communications/Marketing
6
Health Insurance Executive
2
Insurance/Finance/Banking
12
Religion/Churches/Nonprofits
6
Pharmacy Owner/Pharmacist
2
Educators
11
Retail/Sales/Automobile
5
Nurse Practitioner
1
Engineers/Contractors
10
Technology
5
Chiropractor
1
Military/Law Enforcement
9
Veterinarian
2
Nursing Home Administrator
1
Farmers/Foresters/Truckers
7
Funeral Home Operators
1
Health Technology
1
To Get Politics Out of Medicine, Physicians Must Get Into Politics!
Louisiana Legislative Session Primer.
Fiscal Session
Regular Session • Even Years • Anything Goes
Veto Session • Constitutionally Required • 40 days post adjournment unless Legislature says NO • All Vetoed Bills • No more than 5 Days
Special Session • Called by Governor OR Legislature • Limited to Items in the Call • 7 Day Warning • Length Set in Call
• In OddYears • Money Related, or is it • 5 Bills per Legislator • 45 out of 60 Days
• Still have Budget • 60 out of 85 Days
2025 Fiscal Session Stats. Measures levying or authorizing a new state tax, increasing an existing state tax, or legislating with regard to state tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, or credits may be introduced.*
House
Senate
Bills (720 max general subject) Concurrent Resolutions
696
248
83
70
Resolutions
383
207 525
Totals
1,162
1,687
Fiscal (of 944 bills)
125 131
13%
Tracked by LSMS
7%
*It’s Maria’s count and not an official document of the legislature.
The Issues of 2025.
01 LSMS Requested
02 Scope of Practice
03 Artifical Intelligence
Government/Ethics/ Admistrivia/Licensing
04
05 Reproductive Care
06 Legal
07 Medical Care
08 Mental Health
09 Pharmacy Related
Workers Compensation
Causes of Actions, Crimes & More…
10
11 Medicaid
12
Key Takeaways. Huge focus on federal politics The biggest fights were not expected Cliques have formed Leadership is ever evolving Maria’s legislative heroes will surprise you
1
Know who your legislators are.
2
Schedule a visit with your legislator.
Start Now. Get Ahead.
3
Verify you receive Voter Voice alerts.
4
Report to LSMS if you learn information.
5
Make the decision to participate.
Please use the BIG QR Code to complete your personal interest indicator! All politics is local!
Maria Bowen VP, Gov’t Affairs > mbowen@lsms.org v 225.939.7576 t f c | @LaMedSoc LSMS.org Thank You!
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