Notice to Members: Pursuant to Article 13 of the MMA Bylaws – Proposed Amendments to the MMA Bylaws for Vote at General Membership Meeting, 09/06/2025

The MMA Board of Directors convened a series of health care reform policy-writing committees, called the Ad Hoc Committee on Health System Reform from 2002 through 2023 with the most recent Ad Hoc Committee producing the MMA’s current policy statement on health care reform adopted by the MMA Board of Directors on June 7, 2023. The current Statement on Reform of the U.S. Health Care System may be found HERE. In late 2023, the MMA Board of Directors created the current Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Health System Reform to guide the organization’s efforts to execute the Statement and develop and pursue opportunities for Maine physicians to become educated about the topic of health care reform and to use their voices in the health care reform debate at the local community, state, and national levels. Following its work in 2024 and 2025, the Ad Hoc Steering Committee recommends a permanent forum within the MMA for members to gather for discussion, education, and advocacy about health care reform. This proposed amendment to the MMA Bylaws was drafted and developed within the Ad Hoc Steering Committee and comes before the General Membership with a recommendation for approval by the Board of Directors.

PROPOSED 2025 AMENDMENTS TO THE MMA BYLAWS

AMEND THE MMA BYLAWS BY INSERTING THE FOLLOWING PROVISION:

Article 9, Committees of the Association

9.2.9. The Section on the Future of U.S. Health Care Committee

9.5.16  The Section on the Future of U.S. Health Care Committee

9.5.16.1  This committee shall consist of members who are interested in health policy, health care reform, and the future of the U.S. health care system. Two Co-chairs of the committee shall be elected annually by its members.

9.5.16.2. This committee shall be known as the Section on the Future of U.S. Health Care.

9.5.16.3. The purpose of this committee shall be to:

9.5.16.3.1  Provide a forum for discussion, debate, learning, and advocacy about health policy, health care reform, and the future of the U.S. health care system.

9.5.16.3.2  Welcome members with diverse opinions about these topics.

9.5.16.3.3  Explore the physician’s role in the health systems of peer countries who have functional  systems worthy of comparison.

9.5.16.3.4  Promote the physician’s voice in the public debate about the future of the U.S. health care system.

9.5.16.3.5  Suggest educational session topics and speakers to advance members’ knowledge about health policy and health care reform.

9.5.16.3.6  Develop media strategies to inform the public about issues in our current health care system and principles of reform reflected in standing policy of the association.

9.5.16.3.7  Make recommendations to the Board of Directors for amendments to the association’s standing policy statement on health care reform.