White Coats Flood the Halls at Physicians’ Day at the Capitol

February 9, 2023

For the first time since 2020, Physicians’ Day at the Capitol was held in-person, attracting more than 160 physicians, residents and medical students.  

Physicians and physicians-in-training heard from Sen. Kelly Morrison, MD, and met with legislators to discuss MMA’s top legislative priorities: stopping insurers from forcing patients to switch medications mid-year; improving patient safety through open and honest communication (CANDOR); ensuring patient treatment preferences are followed and respected (POLST); increasing access to care through expanded telehealth coverage; and advocating for recuperative care for those experiencing homelessness. 

Following the keynote speaker, attendees proceeded to meetings with their personal legislators. The MMA scheduled 68 meetings with senators and representatives. Members shared information with them on the MMA’s priorities or other issues that were important to them.    

Sen. Kelly Morrison, MD, covered a range of healthcare topics.

“It’s great to get back together at the Capitol and see all of the enthusiasm from our members wanting to make a change in how medicine is practiced in Minnesota,” said MMA President Will Nicholson, MD, who served as emcee for the event. “Today is about establishing and strengthening relationships with legislators.” 

More than 160 physicians and physicians-in-training attended the event.

This year’s Physicians’ Day at the Capitol also expanded the role for many specialty societies. The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, the Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Physicians, the Minnesota College of Cardiology and the Medical Student Section each held pre-meetings with their members to discuss issues that are important to their specialties. Those groups then joined their colleagues for the rest of the day.