About
The AMA Medical Student Advocacy Conference (MAC) is the American Medical Association’s largest advocacy event and conference for medical students. It provides students with advocacy training, access to legislators, opportunities to network with your peers and a platform to raise your voice and advocate for changes in public health policy.
Registration
Medical students, don’t miss the must-attend advocacy event of the year! Register by Feb. 16 to join your peers on Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and advocate for meaningful changes in public health policy.
The conference is an AMA member exclusive opportunity. Registration fee is $45.
Preliminary agenda
Thursday, March 5
All times are Eastern
1-3 p.m.—Conference check-in and casual networking
3-4 p.m.—Government Relations Advocacy Fellow welcome, opening remarks and keynote speakers
4-7 p.m.—Advocacy training and education sessions
- Congressional perspectives
- AMA Advocacy 101 training
- Advocacy priorities education sessions
- Graduate medical education
- Pharmacy benefit manager reform
- NIH funding
- Hill visit strategic planning
7-9 p.m.—Welcome reception
Friday, March 6
7-8 a.m.—Networking breakfast
8-9:30 a.m.—Hill visit preparation
- Review bills, key talking points and legislative asks
9:30 a.m.—Board buses for Capitol Hill
10-10:30 a.m.—Group photo on Capitol Hill steps
10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.—Capitol Hill visits
Visit the FAQs page for more information, including traveling to and from the hotel, places to eat, things to do in Washington, D.C., and tips for a successful conference.
Advocacy topics
Various issues will be discussed during the conference including:
Graduate medical education | REDI Act (H.R.2028/S.942)
Discussion of evolving medical student loan caps, repayment, and forgiveness changes, supplemented by student experiences, to emphasize why legislative solutions like the REDI Act are urgently needed.
Pharmacy benefit manager reform | Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform Act of 2025 (H.R.4317)
Showcasing how student-led priorities brought forward in the AMA House of Delegates translate into formal advocacy and direct engagement with Congress on Capitol Hill.
NIH funding
In the absence of active authorizing legislation, this discussion will focus on appropriations advocacy to support stable, sustained NIH funding throughout the federal budget process.
Advocacy Action Kit
The Advocacy Action Plan Checklist, issue briefs and additional resources will be posted once available.
Featured speakers
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John J. Whyte, MD, MPH
CEO and executive vice president, AMA
Dr. Whyte, MD, is a transformational leader with a proven record of driving innovation across government and private industry. A prominent leader in health care delivery and regulation, he is consistently named as one of the Top 20 health influencers. Dr. Whyte is also an accomplished author including five best-selling books.
David H. Aizuss, MD
Chair, Board of Trustees, AMA
Dr. Aizuss is a board-certified ophthalmologist based in Calabasas, California where he leads Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, and recently completed nearly 40 years on the faculty of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute and David Geffen School of Medicine. He has been active in the AMA since medical school.
Likhit Agrawal
Student member, AMPAC Board of Directors
Agrawal is a medical student at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and a cum laude graduate of UT Dallas. A two-time Archer Fellow, he has worked in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and Texas House, and serves in leadership roles within organized medicine, including as region 3 delegate and AMA/TMA chapter president.
Sage Eastman
Partner, Mehlman Consulting
Eastman is a senior Republican strategist with more than two decades of policy, political and government experience. Steeped in political campaigns and policy debates, Eastman is a sought-after advisor to a diverse group of businesses (from Fortune 50 companies to startups), trade associations, members of Congress and their staff.
Luke Gilner
Soapbox Consulting
Gilner works directly with thousands of advocates and congressional staff in facilitating advocacy meetings. He brings a deep understanding of advocacy logistics that make advocates comfortable and confident before going to the Hill. Soapbox is in routine communication with all congressional offices and is committedly non-partisan.
Tripti C. Kataria, MD, MPH, MBA
Chair, Council on Legislation, AMA
Dr. Kataria is a private practice anesthesiologist and longtime advocate for physicians and patients. She has served on the Governmental Affairs Committees of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Illinois State Medical Society, where she is currently speaker, advancing physician-led care, sustainable payment models, and patient safety.
Dana Lichtenberg
Assistant director, Division of Congressional Affairs, AMA
Lichtenberg leads work with House Energy and Commerce Democrats with a focus on digital and maternal health. Before joining the AMA in 2011, she spent 15 years on Capitol Hill, serving as legislative director and helping draft multiple laws, including the Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Act.
Alexis Pierce, JD
Senior attorney, Division of Legislative Counsel, AMA
Pierce provides legal and advocacy guidance on issues including scope of practice, workforce, GME, immigration, and maternal health. She works closely with federal agencies and Congress, helps shape AMA policy through the House of Delegates, and previously served on the Board of Veterans Appeals and in private practice.
Funding your way to MAC
Find discounts, funding and savings for your MAC trip—plus, request a letter of support/excuse.
Social media toolkit
Showcase your advocacy efforts on social media using the templates and graphics provided.
Training on demand
Complete advocacy training anytime, anywhere with the AMA virtual advocacy training program.
