AAFP, Group of Six urge Congress to back THCGME, telehealth, vaccines

By David Tully
Vice President, AAFP Government Relations

As the clock ticks toward Sept. 30, Congress’ deadline to pass legislation funding the government in the coming fiscal year, the AAFP and our Group of Six partners are calling on lawmakers to act on three urgent policy priorities:

fund the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program,
maintain Medicare telehealth flexibilities and
ensure vaccine integrity.

Strength in numbers: the Group of Six fly-in

To focus lawmakers’ attention on these issues, AAFP President-elect Sarah Nosal, MD, FAAFP, was on Capitol Hill this week alongside leaders from the medical societies that make up our Group of Six coalition.

Together with this group—the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association—we also urged Congress to support vaccine integrity.

Specifically, we reminded lawmakers that, thanks to decades of rigorous science, testing and monitoring systems, vaccines used in the U.S. continue to be safe and extraordinarily effective. The Group of Six also urged action to ensure sustained research funding, including restoration of federal investment in mRNA vaccine research. Without that work, the nation will be unable to respond adequately to future pandemics and public health emergencies, putting millions of lives at risk.

I urge you to add your voice.

Speak out today to secure long-term funding for THCGME, make Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent and ensure vaccine integrity.

THCGME is more important for primary care than ever

Our message about THCGME remains simple and persuasive: It’s a clear success story.

This federal program, which trains residents in a community-based outpatient setting, has turned out more than 2,000 primary care physicians and dentists in those settings, 61% of them family physicians. During the 2023-24 academic year alone, the program funded the training of more than 1,096 residents in 81 community-based residency programs.

As important, given that physicians typically practice within 100 miles of their residency program, THCGME helps offset what we know is a systemic maldistribution of trainees. These programs increase patient care in underserved communities.

According to a 2024 evaluation of THCGME programs, residents during the five years ending in 2023 cared for almost 3.9 million patients. And 85% of the 1,059 residents who graduated and provided employment data during that period continued to work in a medically underserved community.

Yet THCGME has never enjoyed certainty, and that lack of long-term funding has undermined programs and patient care, and even led to some program closures. That’s why we continue to call for legislation permanently authorizing and funding the THCGME program.

At a minimum, Congress should pass a multi-year reauthorization sufficient to support true per-resident costs. Backing THCGME, in conjunction with comprehensive reforms to traditional graduate medical education programs, is central to growing a robust primary care workforce and improving health care access.

Protecting telehealth for doctors and patients

Telehealth has become indispensable over the past five years, especially for family physicians. It also has become a lifeline to many patients.

But access to essential primary care for millions of Medicare beneficiaries could hit a wall if Congress fails to extend telehealth flexibilities, which have strengthened continuity of care while helping to sustain primary care practices.

Among the provisions in jeopardy are those allowing federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as distant-site providers. A waiver allowing virtual appointments for behavioral health services also ends Dec. 31, which would set back access to mental health care.

The good news is that these telehealth flexibilities have had bipartisan support. Our advocacy here is meant to cement that broad backing so family physicians are able to keep using this beneficial modality to improve health care their communities.

Congress must act this month

Without movement this month, funding for the THCGME program, the National Health Service Corps and community health centers will expire. Vital Medicare telehealth flexibilities also lapse at the end of this month, absent congressional intervention.

Remember: The AAFP’s Speak Out campaigns let you take quick, effective action. The tool provides email templates and autofills the addresses for your district’s lawmakers.

Disclaimer

The opinions and views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the opinions and views of the American Academy of Family Physicians. This blog is not intended to provide medical, financial, or legal advice. All comments are moderated and will be removed if they violate our Terms of Use.