With another crucial legislative session for health care coming up in 2025, ISMA members recently connected with their local legislators to discuss the top issues facing Indiana physicians.

ISMA’s newest programming, Pints & Politics, aimed to provide an informal but structured environment where physicians could share their experiences and concerns with lawmakers ahead of the session. More than 25 legislators and nearly 80 ISMA members attended the Pints & Politics events, which took place in Carmel, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne and Mishawaka from Sept. 19 to Oct. 3.

Each event started with a cocktail hour and heavy appetizers before ISMA Vice President of Government Affairs John Ruckelshaus introduced the legislators and gave an overview of ISMA’s 2025 legislative agenda. Ruckelshaus then acted as emcee while physicians steered the conversation.

While attendees were given suggested discussion topics such as prior authorization, noncompete agreements and GME funding, the floor was open for physicians to discuss any topic they wished. For example, at the Mishawaka event, Senate Appropriations Chairman Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen) answered questions about the upcoming budget and its constraints, and in Evansville, Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) provided her perspective on a 2023 bill she wrote that would have allowed unsupervised practice authority for nurse practitioners. 

“These events create a relaxed, approachable environment where physicians can share their firsthand experiences and concerns, and legislators can better understand the real impact of policy decisions,” Ruckelshaus said. “It's been incredibly productive, with open dialogue that will benefit the medical community and patients.”

Several legislators emphasized the significant impact that in-person meetings or even phone calls with constituents can have on their decision-making process and encouraged the physicians in attendance to continue to communicate with their lawmakers regularly.

All Pints & Politics attendees were encouraged to complete a brief survey after their event. Of the responses received, 97% rated their experience as excellent or good.

Anonymous comments on Pints & Politics included:

“That was exactly how I hoped the evening would play out: honest discussions with a little bit of direction.”

“This was a very beneficial event; I would love for these to continue.” 

“Great event. Definitely the way to go. Please consider moving around the state on a rotating basis or expand the number of gatherings.”

ISMA will provide another opportunity for members to hear about its legislative priorities for 2025 during a live webinar on Dec. 12.