2026 was a highly successful legislative year for UAFP. With the passage of HB 270, non-compete clauses were eliminated from all provider contracts, representing one of the most significant and impactful changes to healthcare employment in recent years. (For an in-depth review of HB 270 please see the article Free to Practice: How Utah Ended Healthcare Non-Competes.)
In addition to the countless hours dedicated to advancing the non-compete legislation, we tracked and actively engaged with more than 80 additional bills during the 2026 legislative session. Notably, compared to previous years, we saw fewer healthcare-related bills that posed concerns, a greater number of unfavorable bills defeated and increased support for positive, proactive healthcare initiatives. While the session was not without challenges, these developments represent a promising trend that we hope will continue in the years ahead.
Review our 2026 Bill Tracker, including the legislation on which UAFP took positions and the outcomes of those efforts.
Our Legislative Advocacy Committee consists of both board members and general members who volunteer their time and expertise. The committee reviews proposed legislation and determines whether UAFP will support, oppose or remain neutral on each bill. Even when taking a neutral position, the committee closely monitors legislation to ensure that amendments or changes do not alter its potential impact on family medicine. The work of the Legislative Advocacy Committee is critical to our advocacy efforts, and we strive to ensure it broadly reflects the perspectives of our membership.
If you are interested in joining the Legislative Advocacy Committee, watch the Beat, UAFP’s newsletter sent out twice a month, for more information as we get closer to the 2027 legislative session.
The AAFP also offers two excellent programs designed to help family physicians engage with Utah’s federal delegation and advocate for the specialty at the national level.
AAFP Advocacy Ambassadors
The Advocacy Ambassadors program pairs family physicians with members of Congress and other elected officials who support the priorities of family medicine and champion legislation and public policies that strengthen primary care.
AAFP Speak Out
The Academy’s Speak Out tool enables you to directly contact your state officials, members of Congress and the Executive Office of the President regarding issues that matter most to primary care. Through timely, customizable messaging templates, Speak Out makes it easy to send letters, emails or phone call scripts and ensure your voice is heard. Through timely, customizable messaging templates, Speak Out makes it easy to send letters, emails or phone call scripts and ensure your voice is heard.
