ACP Advocate

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January 9, 2026


Advocacy Wins

ACP Win: Efficiency Adjustment in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Supports Increase in Payments for Primary Care Services

However, with others opposing the efficiency adjustment, members are encouraged to engage with Congress to stress the importance of these policies for patients.


Congressional News and Perspective

ACP Advocates for Bipartisan Support to Lower the Cost of Health Care

In a statement to the Senate Finance Committee, ACP says top priority should be extending premium tax credits for ACA plans that expired at the end of 2025.


ACP and the AMA

AMA House of Delegates Passes Two ACP-Sponsored Resolutions, Including One on Noncompete Agreements

Other resolutions passed during the interim meeting address workplace safety and physician health, scope creep and oversight of AI in health care.


Quick Hits

Advocacy News

ACP Summary of 2026 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare Shared Savings Program, and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program Final Rule
Summary of finalized changes to federal programs and rules such as the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the Quality Payment Program, which went into effect on January 1, 2026.

Letter Opposing the Protect Children's Innocence Act and the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act
ACP letter expressing strong opposition to the Protect Children's Innocence Act (H.R. 3492) and the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act (H.R. 498), which would both criminalize and dismantle health care for transgender young people and represent a direct threat to patient welfare.

Letter to Congressional Leaders from Primary Care Partner Organizations Regarding Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Efficiency Adjustment
ACP letter of strong support for the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, urging congressional leaders to not delay, block, or weaken the “efficiency adjustment” policy included in the regulation.

Joint Comment Letter on Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Proposed Rule
Joint letter expressing strong concern about the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility proposed rule, which would lead to food insecurity and cause significant and permanent harm to immigrant and U.S. citizen families, children, and communities.

Joint Letter of Support for Multi-Year Reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program to Senate HELP and House Energy and Commerce Committees
Joint letter in support of the THCGME program that includes the funding increase envisioned by the proposal circulated by medical associations that support Teaching Health Centers, which support the careers of young doctors and dentists who are improving the health of Americans living in rural and other medically underserved communities.

ACP Statement to the Senate HELP Committee Regarding Organ Procurement and Transplantation
ACP statement offering perspective on examining the future of organ procurement and transplantation, emphasizing the fundamental ethical principles and patient rights and welfare and how they relate to the objective of increasing viable organs for transplantation.

ACP Statement to the Senate HELP Committee Regarding Healthcare Costs
ACP statement offering views regarding the increasing cost of healthcare, urging congressional leaders to reduce the cost of care by approving measures such as extending eligibility for enhanced premium tax credits to purchase health insurance, expanding the primary care workforce and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.


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