Why it matters: The American Medical Association has dramatically increased its lobbying spending by 21.4% compared to last quarter, signaling an aggressive push to shape healthcare policy across Medicare payment reform, physician workforce issues, and practice regulation.
By the numbers:
- $8 million spent in Q1 2025, up from $6.59 million in Q4 2024
- 21.4% quarterly increase in spending
- Average quarterly spending of $4.77 million since 2008
The big picture: The nation’s largest physician group is dedicating substantial resources to a sprawling legislative agenda that touches nearly every corner of healthcare policy, from physician payment systems to addressing the doctor shortage and combating the opioid crisis.
Between the lines: The AMA’s lobbying team combines decades of institutional knowledge with strategic new hires. Veterans like George Cox III (since 1999), Cynthia Brown (2000), and Todd Askew (2001) provide continuity, while recent addition Jeffrey Coughlin (2023) brings experience from pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.
Focus areas include:
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Medicare & Medicaid reform: The AMA is heavily engaged on physician payment updates, Merit-Based Incentive Payment System reforms, and prior authorization bills including the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act and Doctor Knows Best Act.
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Workforce development: Several bills addressing physician shortages are priorities, including the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act to keep international physicians in underserved areas, and the REDI Act to defer medical student loan interest during residency.
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Public health: The AMA is lobbying on substance use legislation like the HALT Fentanyl Act and mental health supports for healthcare providers through the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act.
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Practice operations: The association is pushing for transparency in pharmacy benefit management through the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act and addressing scope of practice concerns.
The competition: The AMA is navigating a complex advocacy landscape with numerous stakeholders working on the same legislation:
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Medical groups: Federation of American Hospitals, Association of American Medical Colleges, specialty societies like the American College of Emergency Physicians and American College of Cardiology
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Health systems: HCA Inc., Trinity Health, Intermountain Health Care
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Industry players: BlueCross BlueShield affiliates, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers
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Advocacy organizations: AARP, patient groups, and labor unions
What to watch: Several key bills have already made progress this quarter. The continuing resolution (H.R. 1968) with Medicare/Medicaid provisions was enacted in March, while the HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House and awaits Senate action.
The bottom line: The AMA’s significant investment signals that 2025 will be a pivotal year for healthcare policy, with physicians determined to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill as Congress tackles payment reform, workforce challenges, and practice regulations.