ACP’s advocacy priorities seek to promote policy reforms on the federal level through legislative, regulatory, and executive actions that benefit the overall health and well-being of patients, physicians, and the practice of internal medicine.
Valuing the Care Provided by Internal Medicine Physicians
Protect patients’ access to care by ensuring fair and appropriate physician compensation, including annual inflationary adjustments and waiving the co-pay associated with Advanced Primary Care Services.
Reducing Administrative Burden in Medicine
Put “Patients Before Paperwork” by advancing policies that will eliminate unnecessary red tape and improve prior authorization processes for patients and their physicians.
Ensuring Access to Care
Support policies that make health care more affordable, including: extending health insurance premium tax credits, preserving coverage for telehealth services, and improving the integration of behavioral health care into primary care.
Protecting the Patient-Physician Relationship
Promote policies that protect and preserve patient-physician relationships, including access to reproductive health care, LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care.
Strengthening the Internal Medicine and Primary Care Physician Workforce
All patients should have access to a physician who can deliver primary, whole-person, comprehensive, and longitudinal care. Congress should increase investments in federal programs that strengthen the primary care physician workforce.
Supporting and Enhancing Digital Health
Support policies that will leverage digital health and artificial intelligence to improve patient care and reduce administrative burdens on physicians and their care teams and ensure that these tools are used appropriately to enhance patient health.
Ensuring Prescription Drug Access and Affordability
Support policies that improve pricing and transparency, and increase access, affordability, and the availability of prescription drugs.
Investing in Public Health Initiatives and Research
Congress should invest in programs and initiatives that are vital to enhancing public health, and research that improves our country’s health and well-being.
Promoting Physician-led, Team-based Care
Policy makers are urged to prioritize physician-led, team-based care instead of expanding scope of practice for nonphysicians, to ensure equitable access to care and uphold high patient safety standards.