As of February 17, 2026, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) continues to elevate family medicine advocacy at the federal level. January marked a particularly active month, with coordinated efforts addressing telehealth permanence, residency expansion, immigration-related public charge policies, and ongoing physician payment reform challenges. These priorities reflect the growing urgency within primary care to stabilize practice operations while ensuring access for patients nationwide.
Telehealth Permanence and Access
Telehealth remains central to family medicine advocacy efforts. Since the pandemic, virtual care has become an essential tool for expanding access, especially in rural and underserved communities. However, temporary federal flexibilities are subject to renewal debates, creating uncertainty for physicians and patients alike. AAFP has urged lawmakers to secure permanent telehealth coverage policies that preserve reimbursement parity and reduce geographic restrictions.
Family physicians rely on telehealth to manage chronic disease, provide behavioral health services, and conduct follow-up visits efficiently. Without consistent federal backing, practices risk losing the infrastructure investments they have made over the past several years. Advocacy efforts emphasize that telehealth is no longer experimental—it is embedded in modern primary care delivery. Sustained policy support is essential for continuity of care and long-term practice viability.
Residency Expansion and Workforce Stability
Another major component of family medicine advocacy in January 2026 focused on expanding residency training opportunities. Physician shortages continue to strain primary care, particularly in rural communities. AAFP has called for increased Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding and targeted support for family medicine residency programs.
Expanding residency slots directly influences the pipeline of future primary care physicians. Workforce shortages contribute to longer wait times, reduced preventive care access, and increased reliance on emergency departments for non-urgent conditions. By advocating for structured residency growth, AAFP aims to reinforce long-term workforce stability and ensure patients have access to community-based care.
Residency expansion is also closely tied to physician payment reform. Sustainable reimbursement models are necessary to attract medical students into primary care. Without financial stability, the pipeline into family medicine risks continued decline.
Public Charge Rule and Community Health
In January, AAFP also submitted comments related to the public charge rule, recognizing its broader implications for patient trust and public health. The public charge rule affects how immigration status considerations may influence individuals’ willingness to seek medical care. Family physicians often serve immigrant and mixed-status families, making clarity and fairness in policy critical.
Family medicine advocacy in this area centers on ensuring that health policy does not inadvertently discourage vulnerable populations from accessing necessary care. Delayed care leads to worsened health outcomes and higher long-term costs. By engaging in the regulatory process, AAFP demonstrates how primary care organizations play a vital role in shaping equitable federal healthcare frameworks.
Physician Payment Reform and Practice Sustainability
Physician payment reform remains one of the most pressing concerns for family medicine practices. Reimbursement instability, particularly under Medicare, continues to challenge practice sustainability. In January 2026, AAFP intensified advocacy efforts urging Congress to implement meaningful physician payment reform that reflects inflationary pressures, administrative burden, and the increasing complexity of patient care.
Family physicians often operate on narrower margins compared to specialty practices. Payment reductions or stagnant rates directly affect staffing, technology investments, and service availability. Advocacy efforts emphasize that physician payment reform is not solely a financial issue—it is a patient access issue. When practices close or reduce services due to financial strain, communities lose critical healthcare infrastructure.
AAFP’s message is clear: predictable, inflation-adjusted payment models are essential to sustaining primary care. Aligning reimbursement structures with the realities of clinical practice strengthens the entire healthcare system.
A Coordinated Federal Advocacy Strategy
The January 2026 advocacy activity highlights how family medicine advocacy operates across multiple policy fronts simultaneously. Telehealth, residency expansion, immigration-related health policy, and physician payment reform are interconnected. Each affects the stability of medical practices and the accessibility of patient care.
AAFP’s advocacy strategy reflects a proactive, coordinated approach. By engaging lawmakers, submitting formal comments, and collaborating with broader physician coalitions, the organization ensures that primary care perspectives remain central in federal decision-making. These efforts aim to reduce administrative burdens, strengthen workforce pipelines, and stabilize reimbursement structures.
As legislative sessions continue in 2026, sustained engagement will be essential. Policymakers face competing budget priorities, but primary care advocates stress that investing in family medicine yields long-term cost savings and improved public health outcomes.
Physicians and healthcare leaders can support these priorities by staying informed and engaging in ongoing advocacy initiatives. To read the full January 2026 roundup from AAFP and learn more about their advocacy efforts, visit the official source here.
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