The discussions during this year’s American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting reflected timely concerns related to augmented intelligence (AI), practice sustainability, physician autonomy and reimbursement, and patient care delivery, to name a few. Delegates and alternate delegates met in Orlando, Florida, from November 6–10, 2026.
In preparation, the Michigan Delegation to the AMA, led by Mark C. Komorowski, MD, Chair, reviewed and considered nearly 200 reports and resolutions. The Michigan Delegation was assigned to cover six reference committees and, if necessary, provide testimony on items of business to help shape the final policy and directives of the AMA. Some of the key issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
- In response to the recently released 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, a late resolution was accepted and adopted as amended that directs the AMA to immediately and aggressively advocate, through all available regulatory, legislative, and legal means, against the Modifier 25 payment reduction finalized in that rule. Additionally, the AMA is to advocate for state and federal legislation to block or reverse this provision. The AMA is also directed to consider additional legal remedies, including litigation. (Resolution 242)
- Policy clarifying that artificial intelligence (AI) systems or other nonhuman entities should not be granted physician licensure, professional titles or certification to practice medicine was adopted. (Resolution 240)
- The AMA’s existing AI policy was also expanded to recognize the need for AI tools to have transparent, auditable evidence demonstrating their safety and efficacy. (Resolution 240)
- Harmful downcoding practices by insurers will face greater attention as policy was adopted directing the AMA to work with other physician organizations to increase awareness about the practice and existing protections and reporting pathways in place to help physicians challenge the resulting reimbursement decreases. (Board of Trustees Report 11—Opposing Unilateral Downcoding of Physician Services by Insurance Companies)
- The House of Delegates (HOD) directed the AMA to urgently advocate for the rescindment of administrative policies, enforcement discretion directives or policy shifts that ease restrictions on compounding and distributing unapproved synthetic peptides that have not undergone Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, including those for weight loss, wellness or anti-aging. (Resolution 938)
- The HOD adopted the recommendations of AMA Council on Medical Service Report 1—Transparency with the Term “Emergency Department,” which addresses the importance of ensuring access to a physician around the clock in facilities designated as emergency departments.
Delegation members Amit Ghose, MD, and David W. Whalen, MD, served on Reference Committee B (Legislation) and Ethics and Bylaws (E&B), respectively. Doctor Whalen was selected to chair E&B. Also, Michael D. Chafty, MD, JD, and Lou C. Edje, MD, MHPE, FAAFP, continued to represent their respective AMA Councils, the Council on Legislation and Council on Medical Education, before their assigned reference committees. During the meeting, Doctor Edje was chosen as Chair-elect by her colleagues on the Council on Medical Education.
For more meeting highlights, click here.
Please feel free to contact Stacey Hettiger, Senior Director of Advocacy and Payor Relations at shettiger@msms.org or 517-336-5766 if you have questions regarding the Interim Meeting or the Michigan Delegation to the AMA.