STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2026
Contact: Vito Grasso, Executive Vice President at 518-469-5237/ vito@nysafp.org
NYSAFP Urges Lawmakers to Support Primary Care and Healthcare Workforce Investments and Opposes Independent Practice for Physician Assistants in State Budget
Albany, NY – The New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP), representing nearly 6,000 family physicians, residents, and medical students across New York, issued testimony this week before the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health/Medicaid outlining key priorities for the SFY 2026–27 State Budget.
In its testimony, NYSAFP strongly supported investments to bolster New York’s primary care workforce while voicing opposition to several Executive Budget proposals that the Academy warns could undermine patient safety, increase costs, and further strain community-based physician practices.
Support for Primary Care & Workforce Investments
NYSAFP commended $15.865 million provided in continued funding for the Doctors Across New York (DANY) program, which helps recruit and retain approximately 150 physicians in underserved communities by providing student loan relief and practice support. “New York is facing serious primary care shortages,” said Dr. Christine Doucet, President of the NYSAFP. “Programs like Doctors Across New York are essential to ensuring patients in underserved areas have access to preventive and ongoing care.” The Academy also expressed strong support for continued funding of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) system at $2.2 million, citing its critical role in addressing workforce shortages and health disparities statewide.
Additionally, NYSAFP urged passage of the Primary Care Investment Act (S.1634/A.1915-A) which would require health plans to dedicate at least 12.5% of healthcare spending to primary care services. The Academy emphasized that increased primary care investment is especially urgent in light of potential federal funding cuts.
Opposition to Independent Practice for Physician Assistants
NYSAFP strongly opposed a proposal in the Executive Budget that would allow certain physician assistants (PAs) to practice independently without physician supervision in primary care and hospital settings. While acknowledging the vital role PAs play in team-based care, the Academy stated that PAs simply lack the training to diagnose or treat patients safely without physician supervision.
“Physician-led care teams are the gold standard,” said Dr. Wayne Strouse, President-Elect of NYSAFP. “Experience as a PA, regardless of duration, is not equivalent to the extensive education, residency training, and board certification required of physicians. We cannot risk lowering standards of care for New Yorkers.” The Academy cited studies raising concerns about independent practice models, including findings related to
increased diagnostic imaging utilization and challenges in achieving value-based care goals when non-physician providers treat patients without physician supervision. NYSAFP urged lawmakers to reject the proposal in the
final enacted budget.
Concerns Over Malpractice and Regulatory Changes
The Academy also opposed proposed restructuring of the Excess Medical Malpractice Program which would require physicians to absorb 50% of the program’s cost, potentially imposing more than $40 million in new expenses on practicing physicians. At a time when many practices are already facing workforce shortages, rising liability costs, and financial pressures, NYSAFP warned the change could destabilize primary care practices across the state.
In addition, NYSAFP is opposed to transferring oversight of physician licensure and regulation from the State Education Department to the Department of Health. Such transfer of responsibility could cause slower processing times of licenses, increased regulatory burden on physicians, and loss of a Board of Medicine which has historically regulated physician licensure, among other adverse consequences.
Support for Insurance Reforms
NYSAFP applauded the prior authorization reform proposal included in the Transportation Economic Development & Environmental Conservation (TED) Article VII bill (S9008/A10008 – Part HH). The Academy highlighted important provisions which would require annual reporting of utilization review data, expand continuity-of-care protections under certain conditions, and limit repetitive prior authorization for chronic conditions. “Prior authorization delays patient care and burdens both patients and physician practices,” said Dr. Crystal Marquez, Chair of NYSAFP’s Advocacy Commission. “These reforms would improve transparency, protect patients, and allow physicians to focus on delivering care rather than navigating administrative obstacles.” The Academy urged inclusion of this proposal in the Final State Budget.
Dozens of Academy members are now preparing to travel to Albany for NYSAFP’s annual Advocacy Day on February 23rd, 2026 and will advocate for these priorities and more.
NYSAFP represents nearly 6,000 family physicians, residents and students across the State. NYSAFP Family Physicians are board-certified and specialize in family medicine. Family physicians focus on the whole patient providing care throughout their lifetime. They provide comprehensive healthcare services to treat diseases and injuries in all age groups from newborns to the geriatric population and across all medical fields. Family
Physicians focus on prevention, wellness and overall care coordination for patients and family medicine is the only specialty to focus on the care of the entire family unit. Family Physicians are also a main source of primary health care in New York and across the country.