Sweeping Changes to Federal Policy

March 8, 2025

On February 1, 2025, your Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the year. One of the agenda items was to advise the Board of potential risks to the association and its members given sweeping changes in federal policy through a series of recent Executive Orders. While it will take time to fully understand how these directives will translate into changes in healthcare laws, we are closely monitoring developments.

Gaining an understanding does not mean a “wait and see” approach; it means engaging in our continuous round the clock advocacy work with our members, other state and national medical associations, healthcare and public health stakeholders, and both state and federal lawmakers. Our immediate goals are to sort facts from rhetoric, keep an eye out for unannounced changes, and prioritize our advocacy tasks such as ensuring that a potential record number of Oregon legislative bills also are kept in focus.

Our mission remains the same and it bears repeating: The Oregon Medical Association’s mission is to speak as the unified voice of medicine in Oregon; advocate for a sustainable, equitable, and accessible healthcare environment; and energize physicians and physician associates by building and supporting their community.

We cannot accomplish this mission alone. Here’s how you can help:

1. Take care of yourself and your peers. Many of your colleagues are struggling. Check in with them, offer support, and know that the OMA is here for you, so you can focus on your patients and your work.
2. Speak up when policy changes conflict with evidence-based medicine. If you encounter policy changes that don’t align with sound medical practices, we encourage you to inform the OMA.
3. Engage with your OMA policymaking forum and committees. Your voice is important to us and plays a crucial role in shaping our work.

Thank you for being a valued member of the OMA.

Heidi Beery, MD
OMA President