Doctors focused on scope of practice, Medicaid cuts in state legislatures this year: AMA

Healthcare DIVE January 12, 2026
Rebecca Pifer Parduhn

The physician lobby surveyed 64 medical societies and found that most of them were worried about nurses, physician assistants and other practitioners getting more freedom to provide care this year.

Dive Brief:

• Doctors’ biggest priority in state legislatures this year is defeating scope of practice expansions, as nurses, pharmacists and other non-physician practitioners continue to lobby for more authority in providing care, according to an American Medical Association survey of U.S. medical societies released Friday.
• The highest number of respondents — 89% — cited that concern, which was followed in importance by Medicaid. Seventy-two percent of respondents said they’re focused on enhancing physician reimbursement and stabilizing funding amid steep cuts to the safety-net program from Republicans in Washington.
• Other...

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