David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, speaks with U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, MD, a family physician and former Utah state legislator, about why he chose family medicine, how having more clinicians in public office can lead to bipartisan physician collaboration on health care policy and the need for greater professional autonomy. We also hear from U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, MD, a pulmonary/critical care physician and former Oregon state legislator who helped pass a state law expanding naloxone access, about how policy affects public health. She also discusses harms from cutting Medicaid and Medicare and allowing ACA premium tax credits to expire, the need for long-term Medicare payment reform and less administrative burden, and pushing back against misinformation and threats to evidence-based medicine.

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 Show intro and guest

00:50 Why family medicine

02:55 From clinic to Congress

04:51 Surprises in Washington

08:08 Doctors shaping policy

13:46 Advice on running for office

18:00 Dr. Kennedy wrap-up

18:25 Meet Dr. Maxine Dexter

19:03 Policy meets medicine

21:02 HR1 and Medicaid fallout

24:31 Fixing physician payment

28:43 Defending science and trust

33:50 Dr. Dexter's advice to physicians

Additional Resources

Rep. Mike Kennedy, MD

Rep. Maxine Dexter, MD

AAFP H.R. 1 advocacy

AAFP member resource page: H.R. 1

Fighting for Family Medicine podcast: How H.R. 1 Will Affect Family Medicine

AAFP Advocacy Ambassadors

Advocate for Family Medicine

AAFP Chapter Advocacy

The Academy's Family Medicine Advocacy Summit

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, MS, discusses maternal health care and the role of family physicians in providing consistent care from preconception through pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Curry-Winchell shares why she chose family medicine and her nontraditional path from a Certified Nursing Assistant to Physicians Assistant to physician, including the risks she took to attend medical school. She describes her own near-fatal postpartum complication following a cesarean section and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy. She also highlights postpartum risks in the fourth trimester, including hypertension, diabetes, mental health concerns, and postpartum preeclampsia, as well as the value of doulas and midwives.

Topics By Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:10 Why Family Medicine

01:45 Nontraditional Path to MD

03:30 Maternal Care Continuum

04:38 Reducing Maternal Mortality

06:17 Exam Room Prevention

07:29 Her Birth Health Scare

09:48 Self Advocacy and Bias

11:24 Postpartum Fourth Trimester

13:12 Postpartum Preeclampsia Story

16:01 Clinicians Who Care

Additional Resources

Center for Women's Health | AAFP

Women's Health Resources | AAFP

Maternal Health | AAFP

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Maternity & ALSO Program | AAFP CME

Fourth Trimester Care CME | AAFP

The EveryONE Project | AAFP

Neighborhood Navigator | AAFP

Podcast: Optimizing Postpartum Care | Dr. Keyona Oni: Prioritizing Perinatal Mental Health

Podcast: Optimizing Postpartum Care | Dr. Beth Oller: Reducing Perinatal Mental Health Stigma

Do No Harm - Dr. Bayo's TEDx Talk

Why Black Patients Don't Trust the Healthcare System - Dr. Bayo's TEDx Talk

DoctorBayo.com

Beyond Clinical Walls Podcast - Dr. Bayo's podcast

Follow Dr. Bayo on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

Bluesky

YouTube

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Emily Holwick speaks with Calin Kirk, MD, family physician at the Cherokee Nation's Sam Hider Health Center in Jay, Oklahoma, and Sarah Gerrish, MD, full-spectrum family physician and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to discuss advancing health equity in rural and tribal communities. They share why family medicine's broad scope of practice and continuity of care matter, and outline barriers like distance, transportation, insurance gaps, language access and limited mental health care.

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guests

01:37 Why Family Medicine

03:05 Defining Health Equity

05:38 Inequities in Practice

10:38 Rural Barriers and Solutions

14:51 Tools and Resources

15:41 Training Future Doctors

19:02 Calls to Action

20:28 Wrap Up and Disclaimers

Additional Resources

• The EveryONE Project | AAFP

• Neighborhood Navigator | AAFP

• Education and Practice-Based Resources | AAFP

• Anti-Racism and Social Determinants of Health | AAFP

• Community Engagement | AAFP

• Health Equity CME | AAFP

• Health Equity Online CME | AAFP

• Native American family physician brings trust and healing home to Cherokee Nation | Family Doc Focus

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of CME On the Go, the hosts discuss sickle cell disease (SCD) and the role of family medicine in recognizing, screening, and preventing complications. They review SCD as an autosomal recessive hemoglobin disorder distinct from sickle cell trait and highlight major complications such as anemia, infection risk, pain crises, and acute chest syndrome. The episode emphasizes global prevalence, newborn screening (and potential gaps), and risk beyond African ancestry. It also covers hemoglobin electrophoresis patterns, preventive care including penicillin prophylaxis and vaccines, recommended screenings, preconception and genetic counseling, and the use, dosing, and monitoring of hydroxyurea.

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate between sickle cell trait and disease and interpret screening results across the lifespan to guide patient and family education.

1. Apply evidence-based screening recommendations and routine treatment strategies for sickle cell disease across the lifespan to support longitudinal care in primary care.

The AAFP has reviewed Twisted Truths: What You Didn't Learn About Sickle Cell and deemed it acceptable for up to 0.50 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credits. Term of Approval is from 04/06/2026 to 6/4/2027. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this Enduring Materials for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME activities approved for AAFP credit are recognized by the AOA as equivalent to AOA Category 2 credit.

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link.

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/19787/e

References and Resources

• Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Recommendations from the 2014 Expert Panel Report. BARBARA P. YAWN, MD, MSc, MSPH, AND JOYLENE JOHN-SOWAH, MD, MPH. Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(12):1069-1076A

• Elendu C, Amaechi DC, Alakwe-Ojimba CE, et al. Understanding Sickle cell disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(38):e35237. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035237

• https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/data/index.html

• Obeagu EI, Obeagu GU. Immunization strategies for individuals with sickle cell anemia: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Sep 20;103(38):e39756. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039756. PMID: 39312357; PMCID: PMC11419550.

• https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/media/pdfs/2024/07/us-mec-summary-chart-color-508.pdf

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Michael Monroe speaks with AAFP Vaccine Science fellows Anne Schneider, DO, FAAFP, and Mina Saleem Khan, MD, FAAFP, about why mRNA vaccines matter and how family physicians can address patient questions and misinformation. They explain mRNA basics, review COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, address common myths, and share practical communication strategies—such as empathetic counseling, presumptive recommendations, and team-based systems—to reduce missed vaccination opportunities.

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 Welcome

01:15 Why Family Medicine

02:37 mRNA Vaccine Basics

04:47 Safety and Evidence

06:46 Myths and Misinformation

10:08 Trust Building Talk

11:47 Motivational Interviewing

16:25 Team Systems for Vaccines

19:59 Key Takeaways

21:26 Resources and Wrap Up

Additional Resources

Immunizations & Vaccines | AAFP

Influenza | AAFP

Immunizations | Family Doctor

Colds and the Flu | Family Doctor

This content was independently developed by the AAFP with support provided by Moderna.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, recaps the AAFP's March 2026 advocacy efforts. Academy EVP and CEO Shawn Martin testified before Congress on how underinvestment fuels workforce shortages, longer waits and practice closures. Chronic disease drives 90% of the $4.9 trillion the US spends on health care each year, but primary care receives less than 5% of those funds. With that in mind, the AAFP urged Congress to improve patients' access and costs by making primary care affordable, supporting science-based vaccine policy, advancing targeted tax policies, protecting medical student loans (including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program) and funding the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at $500 million.

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 March advocacy recap

00:35 Primary care underfunding

01:48 Capitol Hill meetings

02:03 Affordable access message

02:42 Science-based vaccine policy

03:03 Tax incentives to improve the PC workforce

03:37 Student loan protections

05:23 AI principles in care

07:35 Fund AHRQ research

08:48 Closing and resources

Additional Resources

• Six ways Congress can make health care affordable for doctors and patients

• Joint Letter in Support of Fiscal Year 2027 AHRQ Funding - 030226

• AAFP Comments to ASTP-ONC on HTI-5 PR - February 25, 2026

• The Starfield Signal: A Shared Vision and Roadmap for AI in Primary Care

• Health IT End-Users Alliance Response to ASTP-ONC on HHS Health Sector AI RFI - February 20, 2026

• AI Is in the Doctor's Bag—And Primary Care Is Ready to Use It | Rock Health

• AAFP Response to Education Department on RISE PR - February 24, 2026

• AAFP Letter to Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Hearing on Cost of Higher Education – February 18, 2026

• Health Subcommittee: Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: An Examination of the U.S. Provider Landscape

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, we hear from Dr. Ariel Cole, a family and geriatric medicine physician and fellowship/residency leader at AdventHealth Orlando, about the family physician's role in cognitive aging, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Dr. Cole describes her experience caring for patients across the cognitive decline spectrum and emphasizes prevention. The conversation covers barriers like time and system awareness, strategies for sensitive discussions about shame and independence, and leveraging community resources such as Area Agencies on Aging, Meals on Wheels, caregiver supports, adult day programs, the Alzheimer's Association, and referrals to neurology or geriatrics.

Topics By Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:47 Dr. Cole's Background

01:15 Prevention and Risk Factors

02:58 Screening Tools in Primary Care

03:50 Barriers and Team Based Care

04:58 Talking About Cognitive Decline

06:13 Community Resources and Referrals

07:34 Assessing Home Support Needs

08:27 Key Takeaways for Clinicians

09:21 Wrap Up and Resources

09:50 Disclaimers and Copyright

Additional Resources

• Brain Health: Clinical Guidance and Practice Resources | AAFP

• Dementia | Family Doctor

• Alzheimer's Disease | Family Doctor

• Evaluation of Suspected Dementia | AAFP

• Blood Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Dementia FREE CME | AAFP

• Utilization of the AAFP Cognitive Care Kit FREE CME | AAFP

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of CME on The Go, our hosts discuss a postpartum patient with painful breastfeeding and concerns about milk supply. They emphasize listening, cultural context, and early breastfeeding discussions. The episode reviews baby‑friendly hospital practices, noting risks when taken too far, and affirms that formula supplementation may be appropriate. Practical guidance includes assessing latch and positioning, supportive tools, tongue‑tie considerations, and concludes with neonatal circumcision as an elective, culturally influenced procedure.

Learning Objectives

1. Evaluate the current evidence and identify gaps regarding tongue tie, neonatal circumcision, and breastfeeding.

1. Apply effective, empathetic communication strategies utilizing shared decision-making with patients and caregivers in regard to tongue tie, neonatal circumcision, and breastfeeding.

The AAFP has reviewed Tiny Ties & Big Opinions: Hot Takes in Peds and deemed it acceptable for up to 0.50 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credits. Term of Approval is from 03/23/2026 to 6/4/2027. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this Enduring Materials for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME activities approved for AAFP credit are recognized by the AOA as equivalent to AOA Category 2 credit.

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link.

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/19731/e

References and Resources

https://firstdroplets.com/

https://womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/getting-good-latch

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/breastfeeding-latch

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/5182-breastfeeding

https://nurturingmilk.com/how-to-get-a-deep-latch/

https://www.sbcc.sg/breastfeeding-101-tips-for-first-time-mums/

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2025. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

Guest host Karen Johnson, PhD, VP of Practice Advancement for the AAFP, talks with Dr. Tina Philip, DO, a solo family physician in Round Rock, Texas, and AAFP CEO, Shawn Martin, about payer downcoding, where insurers reduce billed evaluation and management levels (e.g., 99214 to 99213), lowering payment and adding administrative burden. Dr. Philip describes how downcoding most often affects moderate-to-high complexity office visits and stresses physicians must monitor claims beyond denials by working with billing/coding staff to confirm expected reimbursement. Martin explains downcoding as an evolution of coding integrity programs amplified by AI-enabled scale and as a less visible cost-control approach than prior authorization, often with limited transparency and historically few appeals.

Topics By Timestamp

01:01 Why Family Medicine

02:32 What Downcoding Means

04:02 Why Payers Downcode

08:40 Spotting It in Practice

10:51 Who Should Investigate

12:07 AAFP Advocacy Efforts

15:17 Undercoding and Appeals

18:04 Tools and Next Steps

20:29 Final Thoughts

Additional Resources

Coding for Evaluation and Management Services: FAQs

Letter template for writing to payers about ending downcoding policies

The AAFP Advocates Against Payer Downcoding Policies and For Improved Primary Care Payment

AAFP urges feds to investigate downcoding as threat to primary care | Advocacy and Government

Cigna's downcoding policy gets pushback from physician groups | AAFP

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

Host Michael Monroe interviews Dr. Brianna Wynne, a board-certified geriatric medicine physician, about how family physicians can support prevention, screening, and early detection of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Wynne distinguishes normal aging (slower processing speed) from mild cognitive impairment (objective test deficits with preserved function) and dementia as a spectrum from mild functional difficulties with instrumental activities to severe end-stage dependence. She describes how concerns typically surface through caregivers or during routine visits such as Medicare annual wellness visits and emphasizes proactive questioning. She highlights practical tools and resources including the Mini-Cog, AAFP shared decision-making guidance to help differentiate dementia types, the Alzheimer's Association for patient and caregiver support, and familydoctor.org for accessible, bite-sized clinical information.

Topics By Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:47 Dr. Wynne Background

01:40 Cognitive Decline Basics

05:11 What Family Docs See

07:05 Starting the Conversation

08:51 Screening Tools and Resources

11:18 CME and Quick References

12:22 Future of Dementia Care

14:38 Wrap Up

Additional Resources

• 6 tips for talking about brain health across the lifespan

• Brain Health: Clinical Guidance and Practice Resources | AAFP

• Dementia | Family Doctor

• Alzheimer's Disease | Family Doctor

• Evaluation of Suspected Dementia | AAFP

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.