How we fight: Our top 5 priorities
Reforming Medicare Payment
- Secured introduction of bipartisan legislation in the House for automatic annual inflation updates to Medicare physician payments.
- Secured introduction of H.R. 6371 to revise budget neutrality policies and minimize revenue instability.
- Launched fixmedicarenow.org so decisionmakers in Congress can hear directly from physicians.
- Urging Congress to act on Medicare payment reform as CMS warns of more cuts
Fixing Prior Authorization
- Convinced CMS to right-size the prior authorization process imposed by Medicare Advantage plans.
- Secured a second CMS Final Rule that requires government-regulated health plans to reduce the timeframes for prior authorization decisions and to publicly report program metrics.
- After 13 state bills passed last legislative session, over 90 bills have been introduced in 28 states already in 2024. The AMA is supporting these state efforts with model legislation, data, legislative resources and real-time bill analysis.
Fighting Scope Creep
- Helped defeat legislation nationally that aimed to expand the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, optometrists and other non-physician practitioners.
- Leading the AMA Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP), which has provided more than $4 million in grants since its inception.
- Working with medical associations to oppose inappropriate scope expansion in 40+ states so far in 2024.
- Expanded Truth in Advertising laws to ensure patients know who is treating them.
Reducing Physician Burnout
- Supported statewide changes in Massachusetts and Virginia, as well as changes at more than 29 states and 375 hospitals, urgent care centers and other facilities—positively impacting hundreds of thousands of physicians.
- Provided health care institutions with resources to measure physician well-being and strategies to promote professional satisfaction, practice efficiency and quality patient care.
- 130 health care organizations were recognized in 2023–24 for well-being efforts through the AMA Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program.
Physician burnout rate drops below 50% for first time in 4 years: Physician burnout has been a long-standing issue in the medical community. After skyrocketing to a record-high 62.8% in 2021, exclusive survey data from the AMA show physician burnout has fallen below 50% for the first time since 2020.
Read the full article at ama-assn.org/BurnoutSurvey
Making Technology Work for Physicians
- Achieved passage of legislation to extend Medicare telehealth coverage, including audio-only and hospital-at-home services, through 2024.
- Continuing to support the “CONNECT for Health Act” to expand Medicare telehealth coverage and make pandemic-era flexibilities permanent.
- Ensuring AI is developed, tested and implemented in a way that meets the needs of physicians and patients.
We are your powerful ally in patient care
AMA advocacy impact
From Capitol Hill to all 50 states, we tirelessly advocate for the changes needed in health care. See our real-world impact and join us as we #FightForDocs.
Leading the charge to reform Medicare pay
The AMA has challenged Congress to work on systemic reforms and make Medicare work better for you and your patients. Our work will continue, fighting tirelessly against future cuts—and against all barriers to patient care.
Reducing physician burnout
Far too many American physicians experience burnout. The AMA develops resources that prioritize well-being and highlight workflow changes so physicians can focus on what matters-patient care.
We will meet this challenge—together. #FightingForDocs
Fighting scope creep
Patients deserve care led by physicians—the most highly educated, trained and skilled health care professionals. The AMA vigorously defends the practice of medicine against scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety.
Tackling prior authorization
Prior authorization is overused and existing processes present significant administrative and clinical concerns. The AMA’s approach to the prior authorization challenge includes research, practice resources and reform resources.
Making technology work for physicians
From AI implementation to EHR adoption and usability, the AMA is working to make sure technology is an asset to physicians—not a burden.