Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Hosts Bill Celebration for Michigan’s Participation in Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

WYANDOTTE - Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital hosted a news conference Friday, celebrating Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's signing of legislation continuing Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

The law streamlines licensing for physicians seeking to practice in Michigan, supports in-state doctors working across state lines and improves patient access to care statewide. State Representative Rylee Linting, who was born in and now represents Wyandotte, sponsored the bill, which impacts more than 8,000 physicians in the state.

"This outcome provides much-needed certainty for our Henry Ford Health physicians who may have been impacted and ensures our patients can maintain access to high-quality, continuous care," said Rand O'Leary, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital president. "This could have impacted 127 Henry Ford Health physicians who are committed to caring for the people of Michigan, including eight Henry Ford Wyandotte physicians who are an integral part of our Downriver community. We're pleased that this issue has been resolved, and that clarity has been restored, allowing our care teams to continue serving patients without disruption."

Dr. Emily Hurst, a critical care physician at Henry Ford Health, said the initiative heavily impacts rural residents of the state, including those in the Upper Peninsula.

"It was very imperative that we made this work," said Hurst, the immediate past president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association, who is licensed in 42 states. "If this hadn't passed, by Saturday, we would've have lost our access, and it would've taken us three to six months to re-establish the care that we can provide."
Linting said this was the first piece of legislation that she introduced upon joining the House last year.

"I have heard from many doctors over the past several months about what not renewing would mean for their careers and how it would impact the number of doctors we have working in Michigan. I have heard from people I represent who were worried about having longer wait times or appointments being harder to come by if there were less doctors available. These were legitimate concerns, and it was important to lead the way so that our state did not end up in a dire situation," Linting said. "This is a win-win for Michigan, and I am hopeful it spurs further action on other practical proposals in the Legislature that will help make health care more accessible and affordable."

Unlike the previous implementation of the compact, Rep. Linting said this law does not sunset.

This also helps recruitment for hospitals such as Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, said Dr. Ahmad Maarouf, chief medical officer of the hospital, which is celebrating its 100th year in 2026.

"By participating in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, we can attract qualified physicians more efficiently and maintain the central services our patients depend on at Henry Ford Health," he said. "That allows us to attract physicians to the hospitals with the most need."

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