NCCL 2026: Delegates address workforce and patient care issues

Delegates develop resolutions asking the AAFP to take a particular action, such as influencing policy, creating a new resource or addressing a concern. They then testify about those resolutions during reference committee hearings and vote on them at business sessions. Although only delegates can vote on resolutions and candidate elections during the meeting (with one exception: Any new physician AAFP member can vote in the AMA Young Physicians Section delegate election described below), any AAFP member is eligible to attend and voice their opinion on the issues discussed.

During the business session, NCCL delegates may call for further discussion and a separate vote on any resolution. Adopted resolutions or substitute resolutions may also be referred directly to the Congress of Delegates (the AAFP’s policy-making body) with approval from the Commission on Membership and Member Services or, if not fully developed, to the Board of Directors for further action.

It’s important to note that although NCCL plays a key role in the Academy’s governance process, measures adopted during the conference do not automatically become AAFP policy.

2026 NCCL resolutions

NCCL delegates considered 45 resolutions on a wide variety of issues important to family physicians, their patients and communities. You can read the reference committee agendas and final reports for full details. Here's a sample:

Addressing supplement safety concerns

Delegates adopted a substitute resolution that called on the AAFP to create a policy regarding the safety and efficacy of supplements, provide updated resources for counseling patients on supplement use and advocate for the regulation of supplements.

Standardizing workforce entry

Delegates adopted a substitute resolution aimed at eliminating barriers that delay new physicians’ entry into the workforce and limit patient access to care. Specifically, delegates urged the Academy to advocate for policies and practices that allow payer enrollment processes to start before residency is complete, when appropriate. Additionally, the resolution called for the AAFP to support more transparent and predictable payer enrollment timelines, including communicating expected processing times to physicians and employers.

Reviewing teaching hours in GME

Delegates adopted an amended resolution that called for the AAFP to conduct a public review, and publish its findings, on the minimum nonclinical hours worked by core faculty in graduate medical education. The Reference Committee on Education noted that testimony was “exclusively in support of the resolution” and that members described a misalignment “between accreditation expectations and how teaching time is actually allocated for faculty.”

Supporting women physicians' health

Delegates adopted an amended resolution that called for the AAFP to support and promote education for members about the health risks, occupational stressors and potential contributors to increased mortality risks and reduced life expectancy among women physicians. The resolution also asked the Academy to support research aimed at understanding and mitigating the factors contributing to differences in life expectancy between women physicians and their nonphysician peers.

Reducing barriers for international medical graduates

Delegates adopted a substitute resolution that called on the AAFP to conduct a survey to identify specific barriers to leadership within the AAFP for international medical graduates (IMGs). Delegates also adopted a resolution and an amended resolution that asked the Academy to enhance its outreach efforts and resources for IMGs.

In addition, delegates adopted a resolution that called on the AAFP to advocate for federal policies that would “expedite visa and work authorization processing and provide mechanisms to prevent or remedy inadvertent lapses in lawful status for international medical graduates impacted by current policies” to maintain the physician workforce and access to care. The resolution also asked the Academy to advocate for policies that waive excessive H-1B visa-related filing, legal and processing fees for IMGs to lessen financial barriers and support recruitment and retention in underserved areas.

Expanding options for HPV screening

Delegates adopted a resolution that urged the AAFP to review for endorsement the American Cancer Society’s 2025 guidelines for the use of FDA-approved, self-collected high-risk HPV testing as an evidence-based option for primary cervical cancer screening. The resolution also asked the Academy to support the integration of self-collected high-risk HPV testing into clinical practice. The Reference Committee on Health of the Public and Science noted that it “heard unanimous testimony in support of the resolution, highlighting that patient reluctance toward pelvic exams is a major barrier to HPV screening.”

Review education for new screening guidelines

Delegates also adopted, with unanimous support, a resolution that called for the AAFP to review clinical practice guidelines published by the International Anal Neoplasia Society regarding anal cancer screening for all at-risk populations. The resolution also called for the Academy to provide education for members regarding anal cancer screening as a standalone topic.

Payment for injectable medications

Delegates adopted a substitute resolution that called for the AAFP to advocate for CMS to encourage state Medicaid programs to reimburse the cost of health care professional-administered injectable medications required to treat or prevent communicable diseases, including syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV. The Reference Committee on Practice Enhancement heard testimony largely in support of the resolution. Speakers noted that sexually transmitted infection rates are rising, and payment often does not cover the cost of acquiring and administering these medications in clinic settings.

Access to specialty medications

Delegates adopted a resolution that urged the AAFP to advocate that established patients have access to covered, medically necessary specialty medications and diagnostic services ordered by a licensed physician regardless of the physician’s network participation status. The resolution also asked the AAFP to oppose payer requirements that force patients to obtain such orders from an in-network physician when no clinical justification exists. The resolution also called on the Academy to advocate for consistent and clinically appropriate access to covered medications and diagnostic services regardless of whether they are administered under the medical or pharmacy benefit.

Payment for counseling

Delegates adopted a substitute resolution that called on the AAFP to advocate for coverage and fair payment for counseling codes.

AAFP Leadership Conference

NCCL drew 226 attendees. The AAFP Leadership Conference also includes the Annual Chapter Leader Forum, a development event for chapter-elected leaders, aspiring leaders, and chapter staff. Total attendance, including exhibitors, was 607.