The Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians (LAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Louisiana’s family physicians.
To access the LAFP Bill Tracker, visit the LAFP Advocacy Action Center webpage.
Read on for this week’s updates and contact Ragan LeBlanc with questions or for ways to get involved.
AAFP Speak Out Opportunities
Source: The American Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is asking members to join its efforts and have initiated the following Speak Out opportunities to allow you an efficient way to contact your representatives:
- Tell Congress to Protect Medicaid
Family physicians are on the front lines of healthcare, providing essential services to patients of all backgrounds and demographics, many of whom are covered by Medicaid. The AAFP is deeply concerned about proposals to potentially cut Medicaid funding, which could have devastating effects on patients and communities. - Urge Congress to Prioritize Family Medicine in Funding Package
Congress has until Friday, March 14, to pass a funding package that addresses critical issues affecting family medicine and family medicine patients. This Speak Out urges members of Congress to include relief to offset the 2.8% cut to Medicare physician payment, ensure adequate funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, and make certain COVID-era telehealth flexibilities permanent.
February Issue of AAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released its February issue of Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds, a monthly tip sheet to educate, engage, and update you on the latest policy issues affecting family physicians and their patients.
Read the issue to learn more about what the AAFP’s advocacy team has been working on this past month including:
- Family Physicians Visit Capitol Hill to Improve Investment in Primary Care
- The AAFP Shares Recommendations for 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- AAFP Leader Testifies on Family Physicians’ Role in Health and Wellness
- Third Annual Primary Care Scorecard Explores Consequences of Lack of Investment
- New AAFP Study: Family Physicians and Primary Care Are Ready for AI but Have Some Concerns
- AAFP Weighs in on Graduate Medical Education Reform.
New AMA Prior Authorization Survey Release and Resources
Source: Julie Harrison, AAFP Senior Manager, Center for State Policy
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released its annual Prior Authorization (PA) Physician Survey. Not surprisingly, the data shows that the harm and burden associated with prior authorization requirements continue to negatively impact patients, physicians, and the healthcare system.
Following are additional new resources developed by the AMA’s advocacy resource team to help move PA reform legislation:
- Press release on the 2024 AMA PA Physician Survey
- Survey data
- Updated issue brief with key asks for policymakers
- Updated issue brief on recent CMS rules on prior authorization and opportunities for states to align or improve upon those reforms
- Updated list of resources to combat misconceptions about of prior authorization
- Other resources and stories found online.