State & Federal

WAFP works to influence health care policy by encouraging its members to become involved and take leadership positions within their communities. We advocate for legislation and regulations that ​serve the interests of family physicians, their practices, and their patients, enabling all Washingtonians to have access to high-quality primary health care.

We encourage you to become familiar with WAFP’s legislative agenda and stay up to date on the latest developments through our regular legislative updates.

Legislative Agenda
Legislative Updates
Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Events

WAFP hosts events to educate members about the legislative process and issues that affect family physicians and their patients statewide, such as the Family Medicine Advocacy Day (FMAD) held at the Capitol during the Legislative session. This event is open to all WAFP members. Registration is required.

In addition, the Academy sends representatives to national AAFP events, such as the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS).

For more information on FMAD and FMAS click the tabs below.

Olympia, WA
Family Medicine Advocacy Day

Add Your Voice to Support Patients and Family Medicine in Olympia

WAFP invites you to participate in Family Medicine Advocacy Day (FMAD) at the Capitol in Olympia. Held annually during the first part of the legislative session, members spend the day at the Capitol interacting with legislators, agency heads and the governor’s staff about key issues for primary care. The next FMAD will be held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025; registration is now open!

Attendees also receive advocacy skill-building tips from policy development experts and are briefed on Academy priorities and pending legislation. We encourage all members to participate! Advance registration is required.

The event typically begins at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m. The morning is spent in training and briefings, and after a working lunch discussing current Academy priorities and member questions, the afternoon is spent meeting with legislators and agency staff. Legislative appointments will be scheduled between 1:30 and 5 p.m., so participants should keep this time available. Registrants will not be guaranteed a meeting with a legislator's office.

Family Medicine Advocacy Summit

The Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) is held every spring in Washington, DC. During the two-day event, participants learn about the legislative process and current priorities for family medicine, practice advocacy skills, and meet with members and staff from Washington’s congressional delegation.

The next FMAS will be June 22-24, 2025.

Each year, WAFP sends selected leaders from its Board of Directors to the conference and encourages members with an interest in policy to attend. There are scholarship opportunities for residents and students to attend as well.

More information on the conference may be found at www.aafp.org/fmas.

WA FamilyMedPac
Primary Care Investment