Need for Data to Inform MedChi Policy & Legislative Actions
MEDCHI, THE MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
INTRODUCED BY: Montgomery County Medical Society
SUBJECT: Need for Data to Inform MedChi Policy & Legislative Actions
REFERRED TO:
________________________________________________________________
-
Whereas, data is one of the most valuable assets in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare
-
landscape, driving informed decision-making and shaping the future of patient care; and
-
-
Whereas, data-driven decision-making is essential for lawmakers, regulators, and policy
-
influencers, as evidence-based information forms the backbone of sound policy formulation
-
and regulatory frameworks; and
-
-
Whereas, MedChi physicians and leaders are increasingly asked by state and federal
-
legislators to provide concrete data to support their positions on issues such as third-party
-
payment inadequacies, workforce shortages, and patient care challenges; and
-
-
Whereas, without readily accessible data, MedChi is at a significant disadvantage in
-
effectively advocating for meaningful change on behalf of its members and the broader
-
healthcare community; and
-
-
Whereas, the current healthcare environment is complex, with rapid changes in
-
reimbursement models, workforce dynamics, and patient care needs that require real-time,
-
accurate data to support advocacy efforts; and
-
-
Whereas, MedChi has engaged consultants and firms in the past to survey physician trends
-
and workforce needs, recognizing the critical importance of data in shaping policy; and
-
-
Whereas, MedChi has taken steps to enhance its internal physician demographic data, but
-
lacks a comprehensive and centralized resource capable of providing economic, payer,
-
hospital, financial, health status, and demographic information on a continuous basis; and
-
-
Whereas, having a dedicated, in-house data resource would greatly strengthen MedChi’s
-
ability to respond to legislative and regulatory inquiries, bolster its lobbying efforts, and better
-
advocate for physicians and patients across the state; therefore be it
-
-
RESOLVED, that MedChi commit the necessary resources to develop and maintain a
-
repository of current economic, payer, hospital, financial, health status, and demographic
-
data, and make this resource available to MedChi physicians, leaders, staff, and contract
-
lobbyists to support policy initiatives and legislative actions; and that MedChi prioritize the
-
acquisition and integration of this economic, payer, hospital, financial, health status, and
-
demographic data repository as a critical function of its policy and advocacy efforts to ensure
-
that it remains a leading voice in healthcare policy in Maryland and beyond.