Building Bridges Between Policy and Practice with Jon Ewing, 2025 MGMA Legislative Liaison of the Year Award Winner

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams speaks with Jon R. Ewing, Chief Operating Officer at the Women’s Clinic in Jackson, Tennessee, and MGMA’s 2025 Legislative Liaison of the Year. Jon shares how he unexpectedly entered legislative advocacy, the importance of bridging policy and practice, and what medical group leaders need to know about engaging with lawmakers.

From TennCare reimbursement challenges to looming physician shortages, Jon breaks down complex legislative issues into practical takeaways for medical practice leaders. His insights underscore why advocacy isn’t just politics — it’s problem-solving for the future of healthcare.

Key Takeaways

• [02:34] Jon describes the shock of learning he’d been named MGMA’s Legislative Liaison of the Year.
• [04:35] The role of local media in Jackson, Tennessee, and how healthcare organizations connect with their communities.
• [06:08] Jon’s Arkansas roots, trout fishing background, and early exposure to medicine through his father’s small-town practice.
• [09:08] How Jon transitioned from biology graduate to healthcare administration and eventually practice leadership.
• [11:18] The “voluntold” moment that launched his career as a legislative liaison and the importance of mentorship in advocacy.
• [13:33] Why neutrality and bipartisanship are essential when representing healthcare issues to lawmakers.
• [20:35] A real-world example: explaining TennCare’s low reimbursement rates to Tennessee legislators.
• [25:00] Strategies for engaging legislators effectively — finding common ground, leading with empathy, and making issues personal.
• [26:36] The looming physician shortage and Medicare expansion — why leaders must think several “chess moves” ahead.
• [29:07] How MGMA National supports state liaisons with updates, training, and peer collaboration.
• [31:49] Jon’s challenge to future leaders: step into advocacy roles, mentor others, and be an authentic voice for healthcare improvement.

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

• MGMA Leaders Conference (Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, 2025, Orlando, FL)
  Register here
• MGMA Government Affairs – Learn more about how MGMA advocates on behalf of medical group practices and how you can get involved:
  MGMA Government Affairs
• Projected Physician Shortage Data – AAMC Report on the 2030 physician shortage forecast:
  AAMC Physician Workforce Projections

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.