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In this installment of “Professional Corner,” three groups say work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries could destabilize primary care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updates its guidance on generic drugs. And a new research network focuses on heart transplant outcomes.

Professional Societies Push Back on Medicaid Work Requirements

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said new work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries — due to take effect on January 1, 2027 — are intended to promote self-sufficiency.
• But the AAP, the American College of Physicians (ACP), and the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) all warned the rules could create added administrative hurdles and reduce access to coverage and care.
• The groups argued many Medicaid enrollees already work, provide caregiving, or qualify for exemptions because of disability or illness and said the policy is unlikely to boost employment meaningfully.
• AAP President Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, called the rule an “intentional policy choice” that would make coverage harder to maintain, especially for children and families.
• The ACP said the requirement could worsen physicians’ administrative burden and put millions of people at risk of losing coverage, whereas the PCC warned the change could further destabilize primary care practices.

AAP Updates Guidance on Generic Drugs

• The AAP has updated its policy on the prescribing of generic and biosimilar drugs, reflecting broader acceptance of these medications as safe, effective, and generally less costly options.
• The policy notes generics account for most US prescriptions and says clinicians should feel confident in substitutions when they are appropriate for the child and the condition being treated.
• Prescribing decisions should remain individualized, with the clinician retaining responsibility for choosing the right drug, dose, and formulation for each child or adolescent, the policy adds.

American Heart Association Launches Heart Transplant Research Network

• The American Heart Association is launching its first heart transplant research network, backed by $4.5 million, to improve outcomes and modernize transplant care.
• The initiative will link 14 medical research centers plus a coordinating center to build a national data infrastructure to support research efforts.
• Priorities include earlier rejection detection, remote monitoring, viral surveillance, and development of safer, more effective therapies.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.