On January 21, 2026, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) sent an influential letter to members of Congress outlining key federal healthcare policy priorities tied to the Continuing Appropriations Act. The advocacy effort places strong emphasis on physician advocacy and the need for policy measures that support stable operations for medical practices of all sizes. In an era of ongoing uncertainty around health system funding, regulatory burdens, and payment reform, MGMA’s letter represents a coordinated push for legislative action that directly affects everyday clinical practice.
The Continuing Appropriations Act serves as a vehicle for funding the federal government and, increasingly, as a forum for negotiating health care policy. MGMA’s letter to lawmakers highlighted provisions within the Act that should be leveraged to address pressing challenges facing physicians, including administrative inefficiencies, payment delays, workforce constraints, and the modernization of care delivery systems. By centering physician voices in federal discussions, MGMA aims to ensure that policymakers understand how legislative decisions translate into real-world impacts on clinicians and patients.
Addressing Administrative Burden Through Policy
One of the central themes in the MGMA letter is the need to reduce administrative burden through thoughtful federal healthcare policy. Administrative tasks such as prior authorization requirements, documentation demands, and redundant reporting continue to consume significant physician time, detracting from patient care and contributing to burnout. MGMA emphasized that reducing these burdens should be a priority in the Continuing Appropriations Act, and it urged Congress to adopt provisions that streamline regulatory processes and harmonize reporting requirements across federal payers.
MGMA also stressed the importance of improving the efficiency of electronic health records (EHRs) and interoperability standards. Clinical workflows are disrupted when systems cannot communicate seamlessly, requiring manual data entry and increasing the risk of errors. By advocating for federal standards that enhance interoperability and reduce unnecessary administrative work, the letter aligns with broader physician advocacy goals focused on enabling clinicians to spend more time on direct patient care and less on paperwork.
Stabilizing Payment and Reimbursement Systems
Another component of MGMA’s federal healthcare policy priorities centers on payment stability for medical practices. The letter highlighted ongoing concerns about delayed reimbursements, undervalued services, and the financial strain that unpredictable payment cycles place on physician practices. MGMA urged lawmakers to consider adjustments in payment models that reflect the true cost of delivering care, including appropriate valuation of evaluation and management services and support for practices serving high-need communities.
In addition to payment reforms, the letter recommended greater transparency around reimbursement methodologies and advanced notice of changes that may affect practice revenue. Physicians and practice administrators must be able to plan financially, and sudden shifts in payment policies can create significant operational challenges. MGMA’s advocacy in this area underscores the connection between federal policy decisions and the sustainability of medical practices.
Workforce and Patient Access Concerns
MGMA’s letter also addressed workforce concerns and patient access issues, both of which are intertwined with federal healthcare policy. Shortages in physician supply, especially in rural and underserved urban areas, persist as a national challenge. The organization encouraged policymakers to support initiatives that expand training opportunities, incentivize practice in high-need regions, and reduce barriers to licensure portability between states. These measures are seen as essential to ensuring that patients have access to timely, high-quality care.
Patient access to care also hinges on telehealth and other innovative delivery models. During and after the pandemic, telehealth expanded rapidly, offering increased flexibility for patients and providers. MGMA urged Congress to solidify telehealth payment parity and remove unnecessary restrictions that could stifle continued use of virtual care. Federal healthcare policy that codifies telehealth as a standard component of care delivery would reinforce access while supporting physician workflows.
A Push for Collaborative Policy Solutions
The MGMA letter reflects a broader movement in physician advocacy that prioritizes collaborative, evidence-based policymaking. Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, the association encouraged lawmakers to engage with clinicians, practice leaders, and patients to craft policies that reflect the complexity of modern medical practice. MGMA’s recommendations in the Continuing Appropriations Act demonstrate that legislative frameworks can be leveraged to solve practical problems affecting clinical operations and patient experience.
Ultimately, MGMA’s message to Congress in January 2026 is clear: federal policy must evolve in ways that reduce burdens, stabilize financial systems, and improve patient access without sacrificing quality of care. The letter serves as both a roadmap and a call to action for policymakers, providers, and professional organizations alike.
Physicians, practice leaders, and health care advocates can support these priorities by staying informed and engaging with the legislative process. To read the full MGMA letter and learn more about how you can participate in physician advocacy, visit the official MGMA advocacy page.
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