Federal Budget Deal Includes Eight Wins for Physicians and Patients

February 5, 2026

On February 3, President Trump signed into law a federal budget deal that includes eight notable wins for physicians and patients. The wins, summarized in an article by the AMA, include: 

1. Medicare telehealth coverage is renewed for two years   

2. 3.1% bonus is restored for physicians participating in Medicare alternative payment models (APMs). The bonus, which expired in 2024, will be restored for one year

3. Access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is expanded to include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recognized virtual diabetes prevention programs through December 31, 2029

4. Medicare Advantage plans are required to maintain accurate, regularly updated provider directories and publicly report directory accuracy

5. Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver is extended for five years

6. Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, a law that finances physician wellbeing campaigns, will continue to be funded through fiscal year 2030

7. Several new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms will enhance transparency, curb abusive Medicare rebate practices, and strengthen enforcement against anticompetitive practices, and

8. The federal government will continue to invest $100 million annually to expand federal research on preterm birth and improve outcomes for premature infants.  

For more information, see the article on the AMA website or contact Adrian Uphoff, manager of health policy & regulatory affairs.