Get essential advocacy news and information on key national and state issues impacting physicians, patients and the health care environment. View past issues of Advocacy Update.
Week of Feb. 27
Physicians bring energy, advocacy to Capitol Hill during AMA National Advocacy Conference
Feb. 27, 2026
Every year, hundreds of physician advocates take to Capitol Hill to advocate on issues of crucial importance to health care as part of the AMA National Advocacy Conference—and this year, the asks focused on reforming Medicare physician payment, fixing prior authorization and protecting access to care in Medicaid.
AMA grants four Outstanding Government Service Awards
Feb. 27, 2026
The AMA awards honor elected officials and career government employees at the local, state and federal levels for their significant contributions to the advancement of public health and the promotion of the art and science of medicine.
View the Feb. 27 issue
Week of Feb. 20
AMA National Advocacy Conference kicks off next week
- Feb. 20, 2026
- Hundreds of physician advocates will head to Capitol Hill next week for the AMA National Advocacy Conference, advocating to their members of Congress on reforming Medicare payment, fixing prior authorization and protecting access to care in Medicaid.
New AMA Advocacy Impact Report now available
- Feb. 20, 2026
- From protecting access to care and reforming Medicare payment to shaping AI in medicine and strengthening public health, read about the AMA’s national advocacy efforts in 2025.
View the Feb. 20 issue
Week of Feb. 13
Medical boards, health systems making progress on physician well-being
- Feb. 13, 2026
- Forty-three medical boards and more than 2,100 hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, freestanding surgery centers, urgent care centers and independent primary care clinics have now been verified by the AMA and Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation that their licensing and credentialing applications do not include intrusive, stigmatizing mental health and substance use questions.
Feb. 20 webinar: How does licensing and credentialing application reform improve physician well-being?
- Feb. 13, 2026
- Please join the AMA for this Advocacy Insights webinar on Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m. CT to learn more about how leading health systems are removing inappropriate, stigmatizing questions about mental health and substance use from their applications, and what you can do to bring about change in your own state, hospital and health system. If you are unable to attend live, a recording with be sent out to all registrants.
View the Feb. 13 issue
Week of Feb. 6
Significant wins for patients, physicians in Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026
- Feb. 6, 2026
- Each of the health care policy wins reflects years of sustained AMA advocacy. These wins include the extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities, restoration of alternative payment model incentives, virtual expansion of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program—and more.
AMA welcomes expanded access to treatment for substance use disorder
- Feb. 6, 2026
- “Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy’s announcement includes new funding and initiatives to strengthen access to mental health programs and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), which are critical components of a comprehensive approach to addressing the overdose and death epidemic,” says a statement from AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “The AMA welcomes this focus on expanding access to evidence-based treatment and looks forward to reviewing additional details as these initiatives move forward.”
View the Feb. 6 issue
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