Impact of Cuts to Federal Medicaid Funding Evelyn Figueroa, MD was featured in July 1 Block Club Chicago story to illuminate the impact the cuts to Medicaid and food programs will have on health and food insecurity on the community she serves in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. 

Explaining and Advocating when Illinois issued their own Seasonal Vaccine Guidance Dr. Kiran Joshi appeared live on the WBEZ Chicago Public Radio "In the Loop" show on Sept. 24 about the seasonal vaccines for all ages, including Covid vaccines. The state's Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations largely mirrored the expert guidance of physician organizations such as AAFP, AAFP and ACOG.

AAFP Statement to ACIP September 12 IAFP Board members also submitted similar supporting comments via the federal register for the ACIP meeting September 18-19.

Board member Rebecca Maddrell, MD was included in a Chicago Sun-Times September 11 story about the Covid vaccine availability and confusion created by policies announced by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. That same story also posted on WBEZ – Chicago public radio. IAFP past president Michael Hanak, MD appeared in the Chicago Tribune, plus the Decatur Herald & Review and Bloomington Pantagraph on the same topic of Covid vaccines and confusion over access and eligibility.

AAFP Responds to Removal of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Members
Statement issued June 10, 2025

• Outreach to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy to protest the dismissal of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) members and to raise concerns about the transparency and process for developing vaccine recommendations.

• Direct advocacy with members of Congress to urge increased oversight of HHS;

IAFP Opposes HHS decision to not recommend COVID vaccine for children and pregnant people. IAFP President Elect Corinne Kohler, MD, FAAFP was interviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times with our reaction and concerns generated by this ruling.

Federal Spending Bill Sparks Major Concern for Cook County Mark Loafman, MD Chair of Family and Community Medicine at Cook County Health appears in this May 23 WBEZ story investigating the threats to County Care with the proposed federal bill that will cut billions from Medicaid funding to states and also programs in Cook County.

Celebrating the Match: Carl Lambert, Jr., MD, and past IAFP student board member Haley Bylina from the Rush Family Medicine Leadership program were featured on the WGN-TV 5pm news on March 21 with Match Day celebrations. Watch it here. 

Our IAFP Letter to the Editor from President Kate Rowland supporting the residents and urging ownership to provide the financial support needed for them to continue their training ran in the Oak Park Weds Journal and Austin Weekly News. 

Thomas Huggett, MD was featured by the University of Chicago on March 14 as one of their graduates making a difference through Street Medicine and health care for those experiencing homelessness.

Joyce Johnson, MD was included in a WIFR-TV Rockford March 17 story reflecting on how the community came together back at the start of the COVID outbreak five years ago.