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State medical societies are preparing for an active and wide-ranging policy agenda this year, with scope of practice, Medicaid policy, workforce shortages and health technology oversight emerging as the most common priorities across the country.
These were among the findings from an AMA Advocacy Resource Center survey of 64 organizations, including all 50 state medical societies, the District of Columbia and national medical specialty societies, to identify the issues expected to shape state legislative sessions next year.
Scope of practice emerged as the most frequently cited concern, with nearly nine in ten respondents identifying it as a top priority.
Medical societies expect renewed legislative efforts by non-physician providers seeking expanded independent practice authority, prescribing rights and unsupervised patient care. Respondents said physician-led care remains a central patient safety issue at the state level.
Medicaid policy is also expected to dominate legislative activity, with more than 70% of respondents planning to engage on Medicaid-related issues in 2026.
"This survey shows that state medical societies are united around protecting patient safety, strengthening Medicaid, and addressing a workforce crisis that is straining access to care," AMA CEO and executive vice president Dr. John Whyte said in a statement regarding the survey.
Key areas of focus include physician reimbursement, funding stability, managed care reform, coverage redeterminations and implementation of new federal requirements tied to community engagement and work provisions.
Medical societies reported ongoing concerns that low reimbursement rates and administrative complexity are affecting patient access to care.
Workforce challenges continue to rank high, with roughly two-thirds of respondents citing physician workforce issues as a top priority.
States are expected to pursue policies aimed at expanding residency positions, securing graduate medical education funding, improving physician retention through loan repayment programs, and addressing geographic shortages that have persisted since the pandemic.
Meanwhile, medical licensure and telehealth policy are also expected to receive significant attention.
More than two-thirds of medical societies said they plan to work on licensure issues in 2026, including adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This legal agreement among states creates a pathway for trained physicians to get licenses in multiple states, improving access to care, especially through telehealth.
Public health policy remains an active area, as well, with vaccination identified as the leading public health issue, followed by reproductive health, tobacco and e-cigarettes and end-of-life care. Respondents noted continued political and regulatory challenges in these areas.
In addition, many states anticipate substantial legislative activity tied to implementation of the Trump Administration's Big Beautiful Bill Act, particularly around Medicaid financing, rural health funding, enrollment requirements and marketplace affordability.
The survey also points to growing attention on payer practices and health IT issues, including prior authorization, claims denials, payment transparency, payer use of AI, data and EHR policy, and competition and antitrust oversight.
"Medicine is clear on what must be done, aligned on the policies that matter most, and prepared – state by state – to advance a health care agenda that protects patients, strengthens the practice of medicine, supports physicians and improves America's health," the report concluded.