This Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit equips physicians, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders with the knowledge and talking points to advocate on issues impacting care, including Medicare cuts, physician shortages, and Medicaid changes.
Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit
Updated July 2025
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
Overview This Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit equips physicians , healthcare leaders , and stakeholders with the knowledge and talking points to advocate on issues impacting care , including Medicare cuts, physician shortages, and Medicaid changes . Use it to: • Understand critical policy changes • Share quick talking points • Take informed action • Get involved locally and federally
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
Medicare Reimbursement: What’s Changing CMS Proposed New “Efficiency Adjustment” in 2026 Medicare PFS The 2026 Medicare PFS includes a notable policy shift: a new “ efficiency
adjustment ” that reduces work values for certain services to reflect perceived gains from technology and provider experience. This signals a shift in CMS’s valuation methodology for physician services. Key Points: • -2.5% adjustment to work RVUs and intraservice time for non-time- based services • Designed to reflect productivity gains from technology and experience • Excludes time-based services like: Evaluation & Management (E/M) visits, care management, etc.
CMS Proposed Dual Conversion Factors & Site Neutrality Implications The 2026 Medicare PFS
Proposed Rule includes major structural changes, including two separate conversion factors (CFs) and a strong push toward site-neutral payments. Key Points: • Two CFs: +3.83% (APM)
and +3.32% (non-APM), temporarily boosted for 2026 by OBBBA
• New focus on site-
neutrality : facility-based specialties may see cuts • Permanent virtual direct supervision allowed • Move away from survey-based valuation methods
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Advocacy Talking Points Medicare
Adjusted for practice cost inflation, Medicare physician reimbursement has fallen 33 percent since 2001, leaving many physicians earning less today than at the start of their careers, despite rising costs and inflation. • Consecutive years of cuts are unsustainable – leading to: Reduced patient access to care Lower quality of care Increased physician burnout and frustration Seniors, low-income patients , and rural communities are most at risk of facing the greatest challenges in accessing healthcare .
Key Takeaway: These pressures are driving some physicians to retire early , leave the profession, switch careers, or even deter others from entering the field .
Physician Shortage By 2036, the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians , driven by growing demand from an aging population and a shrinking workforce . Without action, timely access to care , especially for seniors and rural areas , will continue to decline .
What’s Driving the Shortage? Rising Demand : • U.S. population expected to grow 8.4% by 2036 . • Adults 65+ will grow by 34.1% , and those 75+ by 54.7%. • Older adults need more frequent , complex care .
Shrinking Supply : •
In 2021 , 42% of physicians were 55 or older . Over one-third may retire or leave practice within 10 years .
•
A 2024 Mercer report warns that 19 states , including Texas, New York, and California, will face shortages by 2028.
Key Takeaway: The U.S. faces a growing physician shortage driven by rising demand from an aging population and a shrinking workforce , threatening timely access to care and increasing strain on both patients and physicians .
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
Medicaid Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Beginning in 2026, federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact Medicaid eligibility , enrollment , and funding . These updates are expected to result in increased administrative responsibilities for healthcare providers and changes in patient coverage . The following timeline outlines key provisions and their implementation dates :
Key Federal Legislation to Watch Federal , bipartisan bills continue to play a critical role in addressing the MPFS , the physician shortage , and access to early cancer detection . • US H.R. 879 / S. 1640 – Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 • US H.R. 4710 / S. 2420 – No Surprises Act Enforcement Act • US S. 1410 – Find It Early Act • US H.R. 842 – Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
Key Takeaway: While federal legislation is moving more slowly than ever, key bipartisan bills are steadily gaining support across party lines to address physician reimbursement , the physician shortage , and early cancer detection .
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
Take Action Today! Take action in under 60 seconds! Text the codes below to 50457 to support key bipartisan legislation: No Surprises Act Enforcement Act (H.R. 4710, S. 2420) – Text ZPNSA Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R. 879, S. 1640) – Text ZPFIX . Find It Early Act (S. 1410) – Text ZPFIND.
What can you do? Become an Advocate!
Join our advocacy network in under a minute . We’ll only reach out when action is needed. When we speak up together , lawmakers listen .
Make a Local Impact!
Real change starts locally . Build relationships with healthcare organizations and leaders to share challenges and influence policy .
Vote in 2025 – It Still Matters !
State and local elections this year will directly influence healthcare policy, access, and funding in your community. Check registration, preview your ballot, or find your polling place in our Election Center or text ZPVOTE to 50457 .
Share Your Feedback!
Take our 1-minute survey to help us improve how we communicate , organize , and take action together .
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
Resources: Zotec Answers Podcast Expert-led episodes on policy, legislation, and industry trends. Listen and subscribe HERE . A to ZPAC Blog Clear, concise insights for physicians and healthcare leaders. Read HERE . Keep up with us on social media LinkedIn and Twitter/X White Paper: Is there a doctor in the house? Explore the physician shortage and what it means for the future of healthcare. Read the paper HERE .
Need talking points or a presentation for an upcoming meeting? Reach out to us for additional resources and support.
Get Involved with ZPAC Today! 1 Zotec Way | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317.705.5050
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