What Does the New US Budget Law Mean for Physicians? (Medscape)

The newly signed U.S. budget law grants physicians a temporary Medicare pay bump for 2026—but at a steep cost: a historic $1 trillion cut to Medicaid over the next decade that could leave nearly 12 million Americans without coverage. With new federal loan caps and the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, aspiring doctors may face greater financial barriers, while current providers—especially in primary care, pediatrics, and emergency medicine—brace for increased uncompensated care. Although direct primary care sees a win through expanded HSA eligibility, the overall outlook for access, equity, and practice sustainability remains deeply concerning.