A Message from the SFMMS President in Response to Federal Healthcare Developments April 21, 2025 Advocacy 0 Dear Colleagues, As President of the San Francisco and Marin Medical Society, I want to share some personal reflections on recent federal healthcare developments that I believe deserve our close attention, not from a partisan lens, but from the vantage point of physicians who’ve sworn to protect the health and dignity of our patients. Over the past several months, I’ve watched a series of federal actions that I fear could undermine the integrity of our healthcare system. These range from threats to Medicare and Medicaid funding and reduced access to medications, to attempts to limit evidence-based care, and, most concerning, increasing signals of political interference in public health decision-making and scientific communication. While there are many views within our membership, I think we can agree that the health of our communities must remain above politics. Promoting Evidence-Based Medicine Throughout my career, I’ve seen the value of grounding care in science. Whether it’s vaccines, cancer therapies, or managing chronic illness, our best outcomes come when we follow the evidence. I’m concerned by efforts—intentional or not—that erode public trust in science or restrict access to proven therapies. We must continue advocating for investment in research, access to FDA-approved medications, and clinical autonomy that respects physician expertise. Preserving Access to Care Programs like Medicare and Medi-Cal are essential lifelines for many in our community. Funding cuts—however well-intentioned—can have immediate consequences for hospitals, clinics, and the patients we serve. We must push for long-term, stable funding. Protecting Vulnerable Patients As physicians, we care for people from all walks of life—whether they’ve lived here for generations or are simply passing through our communities in times of need. Medical care should be guided by clinical need and delivered with compassion, professionalism, and respect. Whether the concern is mental health, maternal care, injury, or chronic illness, our patients count on us to help them navigate difficult moments with honesty and care—not judgment or bureaucracy. Finally, I’m deeply unsettled by growing moves toward censorship and the politicization of clinical dialogue. Physicians must be free to speak truthfully, share data, and advocate for our patients without fear. Suppressing scientific voices weakens both medicine and democracy. We live in dynamic times, but with vigilance, unity, and integrity, we can protect the best of our healthcare system and improve what still needs fixing. With respect and resolve, Jason Nau, MD President, SFMMS Comments are closed.
