MedChi is committed to advocating on behalf of its members in front of all branches of government, not merely the Maryland General Assembly. MedChi routinely engages in judicial advocacy at all levels of the Maryland court system [or is it just appellate courts?] and federal court system. This advocacy often takes the form of writing and filing amicus curiae briefs with whatever court in which the litigation is pending. An amicus curiae (Latin for “friend of the court”) brief is a piece of persuasive legal writing filed with the court that advocates a particular position or merely tries to clarify or elucidate certain issues of dispute in the litigation. An amicus is not a party to the litigation, but is an individual or group with an interest in the outcome, and they seek to offer information, expertise, and insight in order to advocate for the court to adopt their position. The following chart details the judicial cases that MedChi has been involved in, using our expertise as the statewide professional association for licensed physicians to fulfill our mission of serving as Maryland’s foremost advocate and resource for physicians, their patients, and the public health.

Click here for a list of recent cases.

At times, MedChi becomes involved in major judicial action regarding medical practice.  Below is a list of some of these judicial advocacy initiatives.

• Doyle v. Hogan - Brief of American Psychological Association, Maryland Psychological Association, American Medical Association, Maryland State Medical
  Society, National Association of Social Workers with National Association of Social Workers Maryland Chapter, and American Association for
  Marriage and Family Therapy as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants-Apellees and Affirmance (December 30, 2019)
• Peters v. Aetna - Brief of Amici Curiae AMerican Medical Asosciation, North Carolina Medical Society, Maryland State Medical Society, South Carolina Medical
  Association, and Medical Society of Virginia in SUpport of Plantiff-Appellant (December 27, 2019)
• Williams v. PRCM - Maryland Physician Immunity from liability in decision to admit patient for psychiatric evaluation or treatment.
• MedChi joins Amicus Brief in Spense v. Julian.
• Letter to the Judicial Rules Committee Office (Attention The Honorable Alan M. Wilner) regarding their proposed study of comparative fault.
• Doctors Rx, a Publication of Medical Mutual/Professionals Advocate, article entitled "What Patients Want" - Newsletter advising physicians regarding the recent Maryland case regarding informed consent.