2. Reduce Work Requirement Administrative Red-Tape Reduce the administrative barriers to demonstrating work status and give states the flexibility to design programs that work best for our states and our Medicaid populations. 3. Reverse the Student Loan Cuts that Exacerbate Physician Shortages + Raise the $150,000 cap on undergraduate and medical school borrowing for students pursuing careers in medicine as the average medical student debt is at least $250,000 and + Reinstate the ability for medical residents in training to apply the long hours worked in public institutions to count toward federal Public Service Loan forgiveness (PSLF). 2. Reduce Work Requirement Administrative Red-Tape Reduce the administrative barriers to demonstrating work status and give states the flexibility to design programs that work best for our states and our Medicaid populations. 4. Increase Medicare Physician Payment and Seniors’ Ability to Access Timely Care The Senate bill fails to address the deplorable Medicare physician payment rates and the corresponding access to care problems experienced by our senior patients. Medicare physician payment rates have declined by 33% since 2001, when adj usted for inflation and are not keeping pace with the rising costs to operate a medical practice. These woefully inadequate rates have forced physicians to consolidate which has driven up health care costs. The rates are also causing more physicians to reduce the number of Medicare patients they accept or retire early and close their doors. Medicare patients are experiencing longer wait times to see both primary care and specialist physicians. Both MedPAC and the Medicare Trustees are reporting that the low rates are negatively impacting seniors access to physicians. physicians to reduce the number of Medicare patients they accept or retire early and close their doors. Medicare patients are experiencing longer wait times to see both primary care and specialist physicians. Both MedPAC and the Medicare Trustees are reporting that the low rates are negatively impacting seniors access to physicians. Therefore, we urge the Senate to stop the 2.8% payment cut physicians experienced in 2025 and provide an inflation update to keep pace with rising costs to operate a medical practice. 3. Reverse the Student Loan Cuts that Exacerbate Physician Shortages + Raise the $150,000 cap on undergraduate and medical school borrowing for students pursuing careers in medicine as the average medical student debt is at least $250,000 and + Reinstate the ability for medical residents in training to apply the long hours worked in public institutions to count toward federal Public Service Loan forgiveness (PSLF). 4. Increase Medicare Physician Payment and Seniors’ Ability to Access Timely Care The Senate bill fails to address the deplorable Medicare physician payment rates and the corresponding access to care problems experienced by our senior patients. Medicare physician payment rates have declined by 33% since 2001, when adj usted for inflation and are not keeping pace with the rising costs to operate a medical practice. These woefully inadequate rates have forced physicians to consolidate which has driven up health care costs. The rates are also causing more
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MEDICAL ASSOCIATION COUNSEL
FREEMAN ELECTED AS VICE CHAIR OF THE AMA SOUTHEASTERN DELEGATION
In June, William T. Freeman, MD, a board-certified emergency physician from Prairieville, was elected as the vice-chair of the AMA Southeastern Delegation or SED. The SED is a self-directed coalition of states within the American Medical Association (AMA) for communication and action on relevant issues and projects. The SED currently includes the delegations from sixteen members states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virgina, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Each state has one representative on the Board of Directors who shares information within their respective states. The SED works within the American Medical Association to promote Southeastern Delegation interests, projects and points of view. Freeman will serve a two-year term through June 2027.
The American Society of the Medical Association Counsel (ASMAC) is the premier network of specialized healthcare attorneys and advocates nationwide dedicated to the mission of organized medicine and the representation of physicians. Its members include a highly specialized and focused group of attorneys of the medical societies across the country as well as private practice attorneys who represent physicians on all fronts. We are proud to announce at the Annual Meeting of ASMAC held on June 9, 2025, LSMS’ Vice President of Legal Affairs, Lauren Bailey, was elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Ms. Bailey had served as an At-Large Director of the Board during the prior year.
Maine Medical Association Massachusetts Medical Society MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society Medical Association of Alabama Medical Society of Delaware Medical Society of New Jersey Medical Society of the District of Columbia Medical Society of Virginia
Therefore, we urge the Senate to stop the 2.8% payment cut physicians experienced in 2025 and provide an inflation update to keep pace with rising costs to operate a medical practice.
Michigan State Medical Society Minnesota Medical Association
The Coalition of State Medical Associations urge you to consider these recommendations to reverse many of the damaging cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and student loan programs, and ensure patient access to affordable health care and a stable physician workforce for generations to come. Mississippi State Medical Association Missouri State Medical Association The Coalition of State Medical Associations urge you to consider these recommendations to reverse many of the damaging cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and student loan programs, and ensure patient access to affordable health care and a stable physician workforce for generations to come.
Montana Medical Association Nebraska Medical Association New Hampshire Medical Society New Mexico Medical Society North Carolina Medical Society North Dakota Medical Association Ohio State Medical Association Oklahoma State Medical Association Oregon Medical Association Pennsylvania Medical Society Rhode Island Medical Society South Dakota State Medical Association Tennessee Medical Association
Maine Medical Association Massachusetts Medical Society MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society Medical Association of Alabama Medical Society of Delaware Medical Society of New Jersey Medical Society of the District of Columbia Medical Society of Virginia
Thank you for your support of physicians and our patients. Thank you for your support of physicians and our patients.
Sincerely,
Alaska State Medical Association Arizona Medical Association Arkansas Medical Society California Medical Association Colorado Medical Society Connecticut State Medical Society Florida Medical Association Hawaii Medical Association Idaho Medical Association Iowa Medical Society Indiana State Medical Association Kansas Medical Society Louisiana State Medical Society Maine Medical Association Massachusetts Medical Society MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society Medical Association of Alabama Medical Society of Delaware Medical Society of New Jersey Medical Society of the District of Columbia Medical Society of Virginia Alaska State Medical Association Arizona Medical Association Arkansas Medical Society California Medical Association Colorado Medical Society Connecticut State Medical Society Florida Medical Association Hawaii Medical Association Idaho Medical Association Iowa Medical Society Indiana State Medical Association Kansas Medical Society Louisiana State Medical Society
WE WILL MISS YOU TERRI! It is with mixed emotions that we announce the recent departure of Terri Watson, Vice President of Finance and Adminstration, from LSMS. Terri left us in April and while we are sad to see her go, we are also excited for her new journey ahead.
Michigan State Medical Society Minnesota Medical Association
Mississippi State Medical Association Missouri State Medical Association Montana Medical Association Nebraska Medical Association New Hampshire Medical Society New Mexico Medical Society North Carolina Medical Society North Dakota Medical Association Ohio State Medical Association Oklahoma State Medical Association Oregon Medical Association Pennsylvania Medical Society Rhode Island Medical Society South Dakota State Medical Association Tennessee Medical Association
Texas Medical Association Utah Medical Association Vermont Medical Society
During Terri’s seventeen (17) years with the LSMS, she was an integral part of our team, most recently as part of the executive leadership team, contributing significantly to our projects and fostering a positive work environment. Her dedication, creativity, teamwork, and friendship were truly appreciated by all of us. As we deal with this transition, we want to ensure a smooth handover of Terri’s responsibilities. As such, different employees will be stepping in to manage these duties until a permanent replacement is found. In the interim, please reach out to any of us for assistance or questions during this period at publicaffairs@lsms.org. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time of transition. Sincerely, The LSMS Staff
Washington State Medical Association West Virginia State Medical Association
Wisconsin Medical Society Wyoming Medical Society
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Michigan State Medical Society Minnesota Medical Association
Texas Medical Association Utah Medical Association
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