FFFM | Advocacy in action: Members take key issues from clinics to Congress

In this episode of Fighting for Family Medicine, David Tully, AAFP Vice President of Government Relations, reviews the Academy's July advocacy efforts, including proposed Medicare payment improvements, physician workforce policies, Medicaid coverage protections and efforts to reduce administrative burdens.

He also highlights AAFP advocacy related to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, federal research grants, Medicare Advantage reform, overdose prevention and Primary Care for America's Triple Double campaign to expand investment in and access to primary care.

Tully then speaks with Rebecca King, AAFP Senior Strategist for State Affairs and Member Advocacy, about the record-setting 2026 Family Medicine Advocacy Summit and how family physicians, residents and students can continue building momentum during the August congressional recess. They discuss the summit's legislative priorities, the August Recess Advocacy Challenge and the AAFP Advocacy Ambassadors program.

00:00 July Advocacy Updates
00:51 Medicare Physician Payment Proposals
01:17 Supporting the Patients First Act
01:58 Public Charge Rule Concerns
02:16 Protecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness
02:39 Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements
03:04 Federal Grants and Scientific Review
03:30 Medicaid Payment Flexibility
03:56 Overdose Prevention and Medicare Advantage Reform
04:21 The Triple Double Primary Care Campaign
04:49 Family Medicine Advocacy Summit Recap
05:08 FMAS Legislative Priorities
06:45 Why Physicians' Stories Matter
08:59 Continuing Advocacy After FMAS
09:42 August Recess Advocacy Priorities
10:14 Connecting With Lawmakers at Home
11:48 August Recess Advocacy Challenge
14:01 AAFP Advocacy Ambassadors
16:17 Closing and Disclaimers

Additional Resources

• AAFP Member Advocacy

• AAFP Advocacy Ambassador Program

• August Recess Challenge

• Speak Out tool

• Share Your Story tool

Rounds Resources:

• AAFP Statement on 2027 MPFS Proposed Rule

• AAFP letter to OMB on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance - July 13, 2026

• AAFP Letter to CMS on Medicaid State Directed Payments - July 21, 2026

• AAFP urges withdrawal of proposed PSLF rule | AAFP

• AAFP Letter to the Department of Education on Intent to Develop Proposed Regulations - May 8, 2025

• AAFP Letter to CMS on Medicaid State Directed Payments - July 21, 2026

• Triple Double - Primary Care For America

• AAFP Letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee on MA & Opioid Legislation – July 2, 2026

• Patients First Act Signals Commitment to Modernizing Primary Care Payment | AAFP

• AAFP Response to VA on Expanding Access to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Proposed Rule - July 8, 2026

• Leading Physician Groups: Patients First Act Addresses Longstanding Payment Challenges | AAFP

• Leading Frontline Physician Groups Oppose Final Public Charge Rule  | AAFP

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