Happy Post–Legislative Season to my colleagues and members of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians!

As we conclude Maryland’s legislative session, I want to take a moment to reflect on both our progress and the work that still lies ahead. While the season itself may be ending, our commitment to advocacy remains constant. As family physicians, we are accustomed to navigating complexity and uncertainty—and we will continue to meet these challenges with resilience and purpose.

This session brought several meaningful achievements for our Academy. One of our top priorities was addressing legislation related to prescriptive authority for non-physician healthcare professionals. Through the dedicated efforts of our advocacy team, including our lobbyist Steve Wise and our governmental advocacy committee, we were able to successfully prevent the passage of these bills. We made clear the important distinctions in training and scope between physicians and other healthcare providers, while also underscoring the potential implications for patient safety and health equity. While we recognize this as a significant success, we remain vigilant and prepared for continued dialogue on this issue.

We also saw important progress with the expansion of the preceptor tax credit. This change ensures that physicians who dedicate their time to training medical students are eligible for this benefit regardless of the student’s school affiliation, and the reduction in required hours from 100 to 90 makes participation more accessible.

Additionally, the proposed legislation to eliminate the cap on non-economic damages did not advance. Given Maryland’s already challenging medical liability environment, this outcome helps preserve stability for our physicians and the patients we serve.

Perhaps our most notable accomplishment this session was the passage of the VAX Act. This legislation represents a major step forward in strengthening public health efforts across our state. I would like to extend special recognition to Dr. Amar Duggirala for his leadership and testimony, which played a critical role in advancing this initiative (refer to the bottom of the page). The ability for Maryland to establish independent vaccine recommendations and preventive health guidelines will have a lasting impact on the health of our communities. 

We also acknowledge the continued support for Medicaid payment rates and the Loan Assistance Repayment Program (LARP), particularly in the context of a constrained budget. While these programs were maintained, we will continue to advocate for expanded investment in the years ahead.

These accomplishments are a testament to the strength of our collective voice. I am deeply grateful for the dedication each of you brings—not only in caring for your patients, but in advocating for our profession and our communities.

At the same time, we must recognize the broader challenges facing our workforce. Many of our colleagues are experiencing uncertainty due to immigration-related administrative delays, which are disrupting their ability to practice in the United States. This is especially concerning as we observe National Minority Health Month, a time that highlights the importance of access to diverse, culturally competent care. Our advocacy must extend to supporting these physicians and ensuring the stability of our healthcare system.

As your President, I remain committed to advancing the priorities of our members and protecting the integrity of family medicine in Maryland. The Maryland Academy of Family Physicians will continue to stand with you and advocate on your behalf.

Thank you for your continued leadership, service, and commitment.

Sincerely,

Gattu Panisri Rao, MD, MPH, FAAFP 

Your MDAFP President