AAFP Grassroots Advocacy Tools for Responding to COVID-19
Supporting Family Physicians in Washington During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Academy has been pushing Congress and the administration to deliver what family physicians on the front lines need to care for your patients, keep themselves safe and sustain their practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These efforts yielded significant wins through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the (CARES) Act and other legislation, including the 2020 year-end deal. Advances for primary care also came through regulatory actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that reflected input and advocacy from the Academy, including the following.
Ways to Get Involved
Visit your member of Congress’ webpage to receive updates
Find your elected official and visit their webpage to sign up for email alerts.
Consider using these talking points developed for AAFP members to raise your concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on family physicians and your patients.
Recent Communications from the AAFP Government Relations Team on COVID-19
- Sept. 22, 2022 - Joint letter to Congress requesting COVID-19 and monkeypox funding
- July 14, 2022 - Joint letter to Congress on long COVID research
- January 22 – Joint letter supporting the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act
- January 28 – AAFP letter supporting the Strengthening America's Health Care Readiness Act
- January 28 – Joint letter supporting the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act
- January 29 – AAFP letter to HECS on COVID-19 vacccines
- January 29 – AAFP letter to White House urging vaccine distribution to primary care practices
- February 5 – Joint letter requesting funds for Teaching Health Centers in next COVID package
- February 11 – AAFP letter to E&C Chairman on budget reconciliation markup
- March 1 – AAFP testimony on telehealth to E&C Health Subcommittee
- March 9 – AAFP testimony on the COVID response
- March 11 – AAFP summary of The American Rescue Plan Act
- April 19 – Joint letter in support of the Eliminating the Provider Relief Fund Tax Penalties Act
- April 21 – Joint letter to the Senate on the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act
- April 27 – AAFP testimony to Congress on COVID-19 long-haul symptoms
- May 6 – Joint statement on Long COVID Crisis
- May 6 – AAFP letter in support of the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act
- June 22 – AAFP testimony to Senate HELP Committee on vaccine confidence
- July 1 – AAFP testimony to House Select Subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis
- August 24 – AAFP letter on equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for people in ICE detention centers.
- September 13 – AAFP letter to President Biden on the COVID-19 Action Plan
- November 4 - AAFP testimony to Senate HELP Committee on COVID-19 response
Stay updated on state policy
Governors are:
- requiring insurers to waive copays and other out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 testing;
- establishing special enrollment periods for state-based exchanges; and
- changing Medicaid policies to allow for reimbursement on home visits, virtual consultations, and allowing higher quantity pharmacy refills to limit visits.
To learn more about what’s happening in your state, view our COVID-19 tracker.
For any questions regarding state advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic contact the Center for State Policy or your Chapter Executive.
Want to share your account of what is occurring in your community or practice?
Email us at policy@aafp.org. This should not be a substitute for engaging in AAFP’s COVID Rapid Response Member Exchange or reaching out to your legislators.
Tap into the AAFP’s member resources
The AAFP will continue sharing up-to-the minute updates on organizational activities.
- Follow AAFP on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, AAFP News)
- Stay updated by frequently visiting the AAFP's Fighting for Family Medicine Advocacy Hub and the AAFP's COVID-19 resource page
- Join the Family Medicine Action Network