Michigan physicians are urging state lawmakers to pass an agreement to keep the state in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, warning a lapse could disrupt care delivery and affect thousands of physicians practicing in Michigan under the agreement, Interlochen Public Radio reported March 19.
Michigan joined the compact in 2018, allowing physicians licensed in participating states to more easily practice across state lines. Lawmakers face a March 28 deadline to extend the state’s participation, with the House and Senate each having passed separate versions of legislation to do so.
Both chambers have expressed support for maintaining the agreement, but each has so far held up the other’s bill. The Senate is expected to take up a House-passed measure within the next few days, according to the report.
Healthcare leaders say a lapse would disrupt staffing and patient care, particularly for systems that rely heavily on out-of-state clinicians. About 8,000 physicians practice in Michigan through the agreement.
“The hope is that this would be a short lapse,” Joe Santegelo, MD, chief medical quality and safety officer at Traverse City, Mich.-based Munson Healthcare, told Interlochen Public Radio. But it would really cause a whole lot of disruption to patients and to doctors that’s just not necessary.”
An “Urgent Alert” on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact’s registration website as of March 20 indicates there are strong signals that lawmakers will pass legislation in time for Michigan to continue uninterrupted participation, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expected to sign the bill before the deadline. The site also warns that without action by March 28, affected physicians could lose their authority to practice in the state and face penalties for unlicensed care.
“I’m very hopeful, but I’m also a little nervous, because the time is running short,” Dr. Santangelo said.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact comprises 38 member states, the District of Columbia and Guam.
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