The Honorable Michael J. Rodrigues
Chair, Senate Committee on Ways & Means
State House, Room 212
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) appreciates your efforts, and those of the committee members and staff, to produce S.4, the Senate Ways and Means budget for FY25. On behalf of over 25,000 MMS members, we commend the Senate’s meaningful investments to advance the health and well-being of all people in Massachusetts during these challenging fiscal times. We believe the following amendments would build upon the Senate’s commitment to high-quality health care access and we wish to be recorded in support of:
Amendment #519 – Unified Recovery & Monitoring Program
This amendment supports two critical public utility programs: the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program (URAMP) and Physician Health Services (PHS). Enacted via the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0, URAMP supports the mental and behavioral needs of clinicians by providing a voluntary avenue for monitoring and rehabilitating licensed health care professionals grappling with mental health issues or substance use disorders. PHS is a nonprofit that offers confidential consultation and support to physicians and medical students to address 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.
Recent reports from PHS indicate a significant surge in demand for 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 amid looming 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 amendment #519, which is critical to carrying out the vision of the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0.
Lastly, the MMS would like to be recorded in support of amendments #59 (Private Well Study), #391 (The Betsy Lehman Center's Roadmap to Health Care Safety for Massachusetts), #396 (Coverage of Fertility Preservation Services)), #408 (Medicaid Coverage for Doula Services). #473, Digital Health Navigators, and #475, (Interstate Telehealth and Patient Continuity of Care), and in opposition to #836 (Provider Choice).
Thank you for your attention to these comments.
Sincerely,
Hugh Taylor, MD
CC: Members of the Senae Committee on Ways & Means
