Top stories of Advocacy Update: October 2026

Get essential advocacy news and information on key national and state issues impacting physicians, patients and the healthcare environment. View past issues of Advocacy Update. 

Haven't subscribed?

Stay current on the latest issues impacting physicians, patients and healthcare with the AMA’s Advocacy Update newsletter.

Sign Up/Create Account

Week of Oct. 16

1. Diverse collection of patient advocacy groups endorse Medicare physician pay reform legislation

   1. Oct. 16, 2026

   2. For decades, the AMA has rung the alarm on Capitol Hill that declining Medicare payment rates will lead to decreased patient access to care. On Oct. 6, a diverse coalition of 24 patient advocacy organizations representing rare disease, oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, neurological disease, and chronic pain sent a letter to House and Senate leadership endorsing H.R. 9693, the Patients First Act. 

2. What Medicaid patients must know about new coverage rules

   1. Oct. 16, 2026
   2. Millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid and other federal health coverage programs face significant changes to eligibility and coverage rules under a federal law enacted in 2025. Some changes are already in effect, while others are scheduled to take effect in 2027.

3. Two big Medicaid changes taking effect in October

   1. Oct. 16, 2026
   2. “When Congress was debating this bill, the AMA raised concerns that it would make it harder for patients to access care and could lead to worse health outcomes,” said AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH. “Now that these policies are taking effect, our focus is on helping patients understand what is changing and what they can do to maintain coverage."

View the Oct. 16 issue

• Oct. 16, 2026: National Advocacy Update

Week of Oct. 9

1. Cybersecurity starts with you: Recognizing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

   1. Oct. 9, 2026

   2. During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the AMA is highlighting resources that can help physicians and other healthcare professionals strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge and better protect their organizations and patients. 

2. Senate passes bipartisan Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act

   1. Oct. 9, 2026
   2. The bill would update cybersecurity standards, recognize security investments, strengthen federal coordination, provide rural cybersecurity guidance and technical assistance, and improve reporting standards. 

View the Oct. 9 issue

• Oct. 9, 2026: National Advocacy Update

Week of Oct. 2

1. AMA analysis: PBM market concentration continues to rise

   1. Oct. 2, 2026

   2. A new AMA Policy Research Perspective (PDF) on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) markets finds that the four largest PBMs had a 75% share of the national PBM market in 2024—up significantly from 70% in 2022. Ninety-four percent of markets were highly concentrated, up from 82%. Further, significant vertical integration was found as each of the 10 largest PBMs shared ownership with health insurers.

2. Wellbeing First Champion Challenge Program makes it safer for more than 4.1 million health workers to access mental health care

   1. Oct. 2, 2026
   2. More than 4.1 million health workers now have a safer, confidential path to accessing care for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, according to the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation.

View the Oct. 2 issue

• Oct. 2, 2026: National Advocacy Update
• Oct. 2, 2026: State Advocacy Update

Explore more from Advocacy Update

View past issues of Advocacy Update and subscribe to keep up with the latest news.