As a family physician, you have a pivotal role in the health care system.
As your academy, we want to equip you with the tools you need to advocate for your patients, practice and profession.
Here, you’ll find key resources to help you get involved, stay informed and act on the issues that matter most to you.
Legislative Priorities
The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Board of Directors approved the following legislative priorities for 2025.
2025: Legislative Issues We’re Championing
- Increasing investment in primary care. We’re advocating to raise Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates to match Medicare and ensure primary care remains central in health care reform discussions.
- Expanding and diversifying the primary care workforce. We’re pushing for more rural training opportunities, expanded loan forgiveness programs and grants to support medical education. Additionally, we’re advocating for greater investment in wellness and mental health resources to support family physicians and care teams.
- Limiting mid-year formulary changes and simplifying prior authorization. We’re working with policymakers to reduce administrative burdens, address the over-utilization of prior authorization and limit mid-year formulary changes.
2025: Legislative Issues We’re Collaborating On
The MAFP is partnering with others to address critical issues affecting family medicine and patient care, including:
- Support for harm reduction programs and funding efforts to address substance use and addiction.
- Increasing access to care and improving affordability of prescription drugs.
- Advocating for affordable housing and support for reducing food insecurity.
- Advancing the understanding of private equity’s role in health care.
Advocating for Greater Investment in Primary Care
Strong primary care leads to better health, better care and lower costs. To achieve this, Minnesota needs a system that is equitable, person-centered, team-based and community-aligned.
Since 2019, the MAFP and Minnesota Department of Health have convened a primary care stakeholder group to identify barriers, explore opportunities and develop recommendations. Read the report, “Investing in Primary Care: A Path Forward.”
We remain committed to advocating for greater investment in primary care and better health outcomes for Minnesotans—at the legislature and beyond.
Resolution Forum
The MAFP Resolution Forum, formerly the House of Delegates, is your opportunity to influence policies, priorities and the future of family medicine in Minnesota. Whether you’re submitting a resolution (policy guidance), sharing feedback, participating in discussions and/or voting on what action the Academy should take, your voice matters.
Advocacy Modules
In 2023, we created five online modules to help members strengthen their advocacy efforts. Modules include short videos, tips and links to additional resources.
Topics:
- Preparing for meeting with legislators.
- Getting an op-ed published.
- Creating an advocacy action plan.
- Using social media for advocacy.
- Helping shape MAFP’s work and policies.
Resolutions
Resolutions are written motions submitted by members to help guide the work of MAFP leadership and staff. They are a key tool for influencing priorities, sparking action and shaping advocacy efforts.
Explore adopted resolutions, access writing resources, learn about the resolution process and submit your own.
Health Equity
The MAFP’s Health Equity Committee has curated resources/tools to help family physicians bridge gaps in patient care, promote health equity and address racism. Tools include a health equity lens, implicit bias training and more.
Advocacy Blog
Find state and federal legislative updates, invitations to act on proposed legislation, advocacy tools, clinical practice resources and family medicine voices.
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Events
Attend an advocacy event, open to ALL members unless otherwise indicated. (See upcoming dates.)
- MAFP Intro to Advocacy
- Legislative Lunch + Physicians’ Day at the Capitol
- MAFP Resolution Forum (formerly House of Delegates)
- AAFP Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS)
Advocacy 101
The MAFP created online modules, which each include a video, tips and links to additional resources, to support members as they advocate across different mediums and settings.
Topics include:
- Preparing for Legislative Visits
- Getting an Op-Ed Published
- Using Social Media for Advocacy
- Making an Advocacy Action Plan
- Setting MAFP Policy/Direction via Resolutions
Access MAFP Intro to Advocacy modules/resources »
The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine also offers free advocacy modules online.
Health Equity
The MAFP’s Health Equity Committee has assembled resources/tools to support family physicians in bridging gaps in patient care, promoting health equity and addressing racism, including a health equity lens tool, implicit bias training and more.
Legislative Action
- Track legislation in Minnesota and contact Minnesota legislators.
- Track and understand federal legislation impacting family medicine and state legislation impacting family medicine, thanks to the AAFP.
- Contact Jami Burbidge, MAFP COO, to arrange a meeting with your legislators.
Use Your Voice
- Social media is a quick, easy way to get the attention of your legislators, colleagues and others on issues that interest you. Follow the MAFP’s advocacy conversations on Twitter using the hashtag #MAFPAdvocacy.
- Letters to the editor are a great way for you to bring attention to an issue—they will be noticed by legislators and policymakers. Use this letter to the editor template to help you organize your ideas.
- Reach out directly to your legislators. Check out the AAFP Speak Out system, which helps you message legislators. It’s quick and easy!
