When Anne Bryant joined Physicians Insurance in 1992, a government relations program did not exist at the company. Recognizing a pressing need to elevate the visibility of medical professional liability issues affecting the practice of medicine at the legislative and judicial levels, Anne went to work to fill that gap.
Fast-forward to 2026. As Associate Vice President of Government Relations, Anne is a widely respected leader in physician-focused advocacy, having spearheaded a program that shapes policy in support of PI Members for more than three decades.
Purpose-Driven Participation
“Our advocacy begins and ends with the core purpose that has driven PI for 45 years—protecting, defending, and supporting our Members,” Anne says. “In the case of government relations, that means safeguarding the legislative, regulatory, and judicial environments in which physicians practice.”
Anne is quick to note that this is not about influencing medicine for short-term gain, but supporting stability, patient safety, and access for the long-term, balancing economic realities with patient and provider needs. The work typically involves three different areas:
- Tracking legislative and regulatory changes to stay ahead of emerging issues affecting physicians and patient care.
- Shaping legislation that supports common-sense policies, that remove barriers to care and establish a stable and secure clinical environment for physicians.
- Defending against proposals that could undermine care or destabilize the healthcare environment.
Collaboration Is Key
Advocacy is much better together. “Engaging with state and federal coalitions magnifies our efforts and makes sure our voice is heard,” Anne says. She credits PI’s sustained partnerships across medical associations, specialty societies, and coalitions as the key to success in translating frontline challenges into practical policies.
A major part of PI’s work is stopping bills that will have unintended consequences for healthcare—policies that don’t factor in practical realities. Caps on non-economic damages is a major focus. When these costs are unpredictable, they introduce volatility—driving higher medical liability insurance premiums, limiting access to care for patients, and amplifying pressure on high-risk specialties and rural providers. Establishing reasonable, predictable parameters helps sustain affordability, stability, and access for both physicians and patients.
2025 Advocacy in Action
A recent example of PI’s successful advocacy came in the 2025 legislative session, when Utah amended its medical malpractice law, under the Utah Health Care Malpractice Act, to strengthen protection for physicians’ personal assets. Under the new law, the personal assets of physicians are shielded in claims if they carry more than $1 million in malpractice coverage.1
Utah’s practical amendment clarifies personal exposure for physicians while maintaining accountability in medical malpractice claims. Physicians Insurance, along with its Utah advocacy partners, advocated for the bill and is now working to replicate it in other states.
Since our inception in 1981, Physicians Insurance has been acutely aware of the significant consequences physicians can face while practicing medicine. “Physicians Insurance understands the pressure our Members face and works to protect, support, and defend medical professionals who carry this kind of risk, personally and professionally,” Anne notes.
Physicians Insurance understands all that’s at stake for our Members. The legislative environment and the field of medicine will continue to change—and PI will continue to fight for the interests of our Members. “We are here to protect, defend, and support our Members,” Anne says. “Ensuring a common-sense healthcare environment is foundational to that.”
- Utah Legislature. H.B. 503, Health Care Malpractice Act Amendments. Enacted 2025. Utah State Legislature. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter3/C78B-3-P4_1800010118000101.pdf