The Voice of NY Physicians: 2025 in Review
Friday, January 2, 2026
Happy New Year
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As we look toward the new year, MSSNY reaffirms its commitment to protecting physician practices, elevating physician voices, and strengthening the statewide medical community. We are grateful for your trust, your leadership, and your continued service to patients throughout New York.
The Voice of New York Physicians: 2025 in Review
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For New York physicians facing relentless administrative demands, reimbursement uncertainty, and regulatory pressure, 2025 was a year that tested resilience—and demonstrated the power of standing together. Across every specialty, practice setting, and region, physicians showed that collective advocacy and shared purpose still matter in shaping the future of medicine.
This year, MSSNY again delivered an important advocacy victory by successfully working together with allies to urge Governor Hochul to veto the wrongful death liability expansion bill for the fourth year in a row, preventing a projected 40% increase in medical liability premiums that would have threatened patient access and physician sustainability statewide. MSSNY also advanced legislation that strengthened due process, limited insurer overreach, protected coverage standards, and ensured physicians’ clinical judgment remained central to patient care decisions.
Beyond Albany, MSSNY’s impact was felt directly in physician offices and practices. Through the Physician Payment & Practice Division, more than $12 million in unpaid or underpaid claims were recovered, hundreds of physician consults were resolved, and insurers were held accountable for improper denials and administrative barriers. These efforts translated into real financial relief and reduced burdens for physicians focused on patient care.
Education and professional development also remained central to MSSNY’s mission. In 2025, MSSNY supported over 180 CME activities, expanded leadership programming, including the Women Physician Leadership Academy, and launched new initiatives addressing physician wellness, artificial intelligence in medicine, and veteran mental health. These programs reinforced MSSNY’s commitment to supporting physicians not only as clinicians, but as leaders and human beings.
Equally important was the strengthening of our professional community. From renewed membership engagement and improved digital infrastructure to the launch of the MSSNY Foundation, this year reflected a deep investment in physicians at every career stage.
MSSNY continues to strengthen the voice of New York physicians through both traditional and social media. We issued 25 press releases and received over 140 media mentions. Please help strengthen our voice on social media by continuing to engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Threads.
MSSNY was also recognized as one of New York’s top trade associations, an external affirmation of the credibility and influence built through physician leadership.
As we look ahead, the message of 2026 is clear: when physicians stand together, their voice is stronger. MSSNY remains committed to protecting your practice, elevating your voice, and strengthening our statewide medical community. As The Voice of New York Physicians, we invite you to stay engaged, stay connected, and continue shaping what comes next at mssny.org.
Update on Governor’s Actions on Bills Tracked by MSSNY
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In December, the Governor took action on several high profile bills impacting healthcare delivery, including signing legislation supported by MSSNY to expand coverage for lung cancer screening, vetoing legislation opposed by MSSNY that would have greatly increased damages in wrongful death actions and announcing that she would sign, in January 2026 with significant amendments, the Medical Aid in Dying legislation that was supported by MSSNY based upon its House of Delegates policy.
Governor Hochul took action on several more “under the radar” bills with potential impact to health care delivery that MSSNY, some of which were supported and some of which opposed.
SIGNED
- A3986A – A bill supported by MSSNY that will prohibit a health insurer from paying a physician or other care provider with a virtual credit card unless that form of payment has been expressly agreed to by such physician or other care provider.
- 203B – A bill supported by MSSNY based upon House of Delegates policy that requires hospitals to develop a violence prevention program including the establishment of security personnel in hospital emergency departments to protect physicians and other staff from violent verbal and physical abuse. MSSNY PULSE 12/19/25
- 6693B – a bill opposed by MSSNY and several specialty societies to permit podiatrists to perform total ankle replacements.
VETOED
- 5170 – A bill opposed by MSSNY that would have further increased liability premiums by enabling plaintiffs to seek recovery directly against a third-party defendant.
- 1226 – A bill supported by MSSNY based upon House of Delegates policy that would have expanded community notification and hearing requirements that a hospital must follow when it seeks to close or substantially reduce services. However, the Department of Health recently issued a guidance substantially increasing existing notification requirements MSSNY PULSE article 12/19/25
- 929 – Would have required health data collection companies not otherwise subject to HIPAA to follow certain confidentiality rules. MSSNY did not take a formal position on this bill but there were aspects of the legislation that appeared to be overbroad.
Stay Proactive on Payment Policy
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Stay informed and in control. Join MSSNY’s open-agenda CMS meetings through the Physician Payment & Practice Service to directly discuss billing, reimbursement, and policy changes.
Earn CME: Neuroscience of a Bucket List
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Physician burnout rates have decreased, but job stress for physicians has increased. Creating intentional, future-oriented goals and incorporating these into daily and weekly routines can improve well-being and decrease job stress. Learn more by registering for Neuroscience of a Bucket List on Tuesday, January 13th at 7:30 a.m. Jeffry DeSarbo, DO, neuropsychiatrist and author of the book “Neuroscience of a Bucket List”, will serve as faculty for this webinar. Register now.
Beyond the Basics: Tailoring Emergency Preparedness for Special Populations. Register Now!
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Emergency preparedness can be unique for every individual, family and organization. Adding in other considerations for special populations must also be included in plans for every type of emergency. Learn more about ways to prepare special populations for emergencies by registering for the next Medical Matters webinar, Beyond the Basics: Tailoring Emergency Preparedness for Special Populations on Wednesday January 21st at 7:30a.m. Alex Mikowski, Executive Director of Access to Independence, Cortland, will serve as faculty for this webinar. Register now.
Educational Objectives:
- Identify and articulate unique risk factors during a disaster scenario for distinct special populations from the perspective of a person with disabilities
- Formulate a structured plan to initiate and maintain collaborative partnerships community-based organizations (e.g., Independent Living Centers, disability advocacy groups, or specific population networks) that represent and serve individuals with access and functional needs, to integrate their insights into local emergency planning documents
- Appraise the modifications required for standard sheltering-in-place or evacuation procedures to meet the specific needs of patients with functional needs, based on current guidelines (e.g., ADA, FEMA)
- Evaluate the clinical and ethical considerations inherent in resource allocation (e.g., medications, assistive technology) for vulnerable populations during a mass casualty incident or public health emergency
Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman at [email protected]
Accreditation Statement:
The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Society of the State of New York designates each live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*This program is supported in whole by a DHHS grant entitled New York State Hospital Preparedness Program
Plan Your Financial Future with Clarity.
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Start the year with confidence. Altfest, MSSNY’s business solutions partner, helps physicians build personalized financial plans for investments, taxes, estates, and retirement. With a proven fiduciary approach, they prioritize your goals and peace of mind.
