AMA in the News: January 2026

AMA in the News covers media coverage and mentions about the American Medical Association. Find articles recognizing our efforts in health care, advocacy, medical education and improvements in public health. Read coverage on the achievements of our leadership and the members of the AMA community.

1. Physician assistants are everywhere. Should you see one?

   1. New York Times, Jan. 31, 2026
   2. The American Medical Association, the national group representing doctors, has argued that P.A.s “do not have the same skill set as physicians” and that allowing them to practice without doctor oversight could risk patient safety. (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

2. New AI physician will handle some treatment decisions without human involvement

   1. Forbes, Jan. 28, 2026
   2. John Whyte, MD, MPH, CEO of the American Medical Association, similarly warned: “While AI has limitless opportunity to transform medicine for the better, without physician input it also poses serious risks to patients and physicians alike.” (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

3. Congress prepares a bipartisan health care package with AMA priorities

   1. Health IT Answers, Jan. 28, 2026
   2. “To get the finish line, individual negotiators didn’t get everything they wanted, perhaps, yet good policy emerged from the negotiations. These proposals will benefit our patients in their everyday encounters with physicians,” said David H. Aizuss, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. “Whether it’s telehealth, or diabetes, or Medicare directories, these policies have real-world, beneficial impacts.”

4. Defying CDC, pediatricians recommend all kids get vaccinations against 18 diseases

   1. Wall Street Journal, Jan. 26, 2026
   2. The AAP said its new schedule is endorsed by 12 other medical and health organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

5. Health insurance markets are more concentrated than ever: AMA

   1. Becker’s ASC Review, Jan. 22, 2026
   2. Consolidation among health insurers has damaging effects on independent physician practices and their patients, according to the American Medical Association’s new report, “Competition in Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets. (PDF)” (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

6. Congress nears renewal of Medicare telehealth coverage

   1. Forbes, Jan. 22, 2026
   2. The AMA and others said the expiration of Medicare telehealth reimbursement during last year’s government shutdown “sharply reduced access to care.” The AMA cited a Brown University review of electronic medical record data that showed fee-for-service telemedicine visits dropped 24% nationally during the first 17 days of the shutdown. “Several states saw declines approaching or exceeding 40%, highlighting the sensitivity of access to policy disruptions,” the AMA said in January. (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

7. Scope of practice is top of mind for physicians, says AMA survey

   1. Healthcare Finance News, Jan. 21, 2026
   2. "This survey shows that state medical societies are united around protecting patient safety, strengthening Medicaid, and addressing a workforce crisis that is straining access to care," AMA CEO and Executive Vice President John Whyte, MD, MPH, said in a statement regarding the survey.

8. MedPAC acknowledges need to strengthen payments

   1. Becker’s Physician Leadership, Jan. 16, 2026
   2. In a Jan. 15 news release, the American Medical Association expressed support for the move but emphasized the need for broader reforms. “Absent meaningful reform, physicians again will face payment cuts, and Congress will once more be forced into last-minute efforts to avert further disruption,” said David Aizuss, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

9. The AMA’s plan for the overdose epidemic: 5 things to know

   1. Becker’s Behavioral Health, Jan. 14, 2026
   2. Although the U.S. recorded a decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2024, the overdose epidemic is dangerously evolving, according to American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

10. AMA awards $12M in grant funding for 'precision education' using data, AI

    1. Fierce Healthcare, Jan. 14, 2026
    2. The American Medical Association has announced the recipients of $12 million in grant funding aimed at accelerating precision education.

11. State focus areas for medicine in 2026: An AMA survey

    1. Medical Economics, Jan. 9, 2026
    2. Across the country, physicians are bracing for a year of consequential policy decisions that will directly affect patient care,” AMA CEO and Executive Vice President John J. Whyte, MD, MPH, said in a news release. “This survey shows that state medical societies are united around protecting patient safety, strengthening Medicaid, and addressing a workforce crisis that is straining access to care.

12. Dr. Ajayi discusses current flu season trends and public health implications

    1. Fox TV Phoenix, Jan. 8, 2026
    2. This clip features Dr. Ajayi of the American Medical Association discussing the current flu season, including trends in flu activity, impacts on patients and health care systems, and key considerations for prevention and public health response.

13. Dietary guidelines declare war on processed foods and sugar, encourage more protein and dairy

    1. STAT News, Jan. 7, 2026
    2. In a statement released by the White House, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, said, “The guidelines affirm that food is medicine and offer clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health.” (Publication subscription is required for full or unlimited access.)

14. New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods and added sugar

    1. Associated Press, Jan. 7, 2026
    2. “The guidelines affirm that food is medicine and offer clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health,” said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president of the American Medical Association.

15. Colon, cervical, & genetic cancer screening tests

    1. Live with Kelly and Mark, Jan. 7, 2026
    2. Dr. Whyte: It is good news that we have these tests that you can do at home to screen for cancer. 

16. Navigating the longevity test maze: Cutting through the hype

    1. Live with Kelly and Mark, Jan. 7, 2026
    2. If you are on social media, every day our feeds are flooded with miracle longevity test that promised to predict the future. But in a world of endless data, how much of it is actionable? Joining us today to cut through the noise is board-certified internist and CEO of the American Medical Association, John Whyte, MD, MPH.

17. What parents need to know about the overhauled childhood vaccine schedule

    1. CNN, Jan. 6, 2026
    2. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, trustee of the American Medical Association, said that organization is “deeply concerned” about the changes. “The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunizations recommended by national medical specialty societies,” she said in a statement.

18. U.S. cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians

    1. Associated Press, Jan. 5, 2026
    2. “Changes of this magnitude require careful review, expert and public input, and clear scientific justification. That level of rigor and transparency was not part of this decision,” said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association. “The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunizations recommended by national medical specialty societies.”

19. Practice ownership linked to physicians’ use of telehealth

    1. HealthLeaders, Jan. 5, 2026
    2. Differences emerge among physicians who work in private practice compared with those in hospital-owned settings. Dive deeper with a new AMA report.

20. AMA to Congress: Make Medicare telehealth services permanent

    1. Med City News, Jan. 5, 2026
    2. The American Medical Association is urging Congress to permanently extend Medicare’s pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, warning that temporary extensions create uncertainty for patients and providers.