The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance calls on the Michigan Legislature and the members of the Northern Caucus to extend the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLCC). Without immediate action from the Michigan House and Senate, Michigan’s membership in the IMLCC will sunset on March 28, potentially impacting over 8,000 physicians, 30% of Michigan’s total physician population. Michigan’s long membership in the IMLCC has streamlined licensure for eligible physicians who want to practice in multiple states. For the 30% of Michigan’s physician population holding IMLCC-issued licenses, those licenses will become invalid as of midnight on March 28.
“Participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is especially important for northern Michigan’s rural hospitals that rely on a combination of staff categories to meet community needs,” said Nikki Devitt, chair of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance and president and CEO of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce. “At a time when northern Michigan already faces challenges in recruiting physicians, withdrawal from the IMLCC would create additional barriers to care, increase administrative burden, and further strain an already limited workforce.”
“As a border region, the Upper Peninsula needs flexibility to sustain our healthcare system,” said Christopher Germain, vice-chair of the Alliance and CEO of Lake Superior Community Partnership. “Over the past two years, dozens of physicians in our hospitals have come from compact states, and many travel providers rely on compact licenses. Without the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, we face unnecessary headwinds in recruitment. That impacts the sustainability of our system and leads to ongoing leakage of care to other states. The legislature must act to maintain participation.”
“For the large northern Michigan region served by Munson Healthcare, the expiration of the IMLCC will impact almost 50 physicians, primarily in hospital medicine and radiology,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “The expiration of the IMLCC will impact Munson’s ability to provide radiology services.”
Bills are being considered by the Michigan Legislature to rejoin the IMLCC; currently, HB5455 has passed the House, and SB303 has passed the Senate. Legislative leadership in Michigan is discussing which bill to move forward; however, there is no firm commitment about which bill will be considered or when it will be passed.