At CAP23, scores of attendees received updates on legislative and regulatory achievements and how the CAP is tackling the challenges ahead for pathologists through its advocacy programs.

CAP Council on Government and Professional Affairs Chair Joe Saad, MD, FCAP, presented to the House of Delegates on October 7 an update on advocacy efforts to stop Medicare cuts to pathologists and activities to protect the value of pathology services. Dr. Saad discussed how the CAP is lobbying Congress to mitigate future Medicare cuts to physicians and what pathologists can expect in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The CAP and its members, for example, sent more than 1,700 messages to members of Congress that urged lawmakers to provide additional relief from the Medicare cuts scheduled to take effect in 2024.

Dr. Saad also provided an overview of the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed regulation for laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and what the CAP is doing to counter adverse policies sought by private health insurers.

These topics were later discussed in greater detail during our annual advocacy town hall event on October 9. The town hall featured newly inaugurated CAP President Donald Karcher, MD, FCAP; Dr. Saad; and, Council on Government and Professional Affairs Vice Chair Diana Cardona, MD, FCAP.

Dr. Knight Receives CAP Advocate of the Year Award

The 2023 Advocate of the Year award was presented to Kathryn T. Knight, MD, FCAP. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in advocacy on the CAP’s behalf in the legislative, regulatory, and/or political arenas. It is presented to a member who has made significant contributions to the CAP’s advocacy efforts and demonstrated dedication to helping achieve the CAP’s advocacy goals.

Dr. Knight is also an active member of the Council on Government and Professional Affairs and is a member of the PathPAC Board of Directors as well as chair of the CAP’s State Pathology Societies Initiative project team. She previously served in other advocacy-related leadership activities, including as chair of the Federal and State Affairs Committee, president of the Georgia Association of Pathologists, and as the CAP state issue advisor for Tennessee.

PathPAC Keynote Speaker

Eyal Press, PhD, journalist and author of several critically acclaimed books, was the 2023 PathPAC luncheon keynote speaker who discussed how the health care system has changed – and continues to do so – in ways that impact the practice of medicine and the workplace for pathologists at all stages of their careers. During his talk on October 7, attendees also discussed their views of how market forces are affecting their pathology practices across the country.

PathPAC then hosted a thank you reception on October 8 for all contributors to the only political action committee solely representing pathologists. PathPAC celebrated its supporters with two receptions attended by pro-pathology Members of Congress, Rep. Danny Davis (IL-08) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-07). CAP members had the opportunity to thank both Congressmen for their work to improve patient access to care and expand the physician workforce. Rep. Krishnamoorthi acknowledged the “perennial issue of cuts” to Medicare payments and encouraged CAP members to continue to advocate for legislative solutions that will add economic stability to the health care system.

PathPAC has raised nearly $15,000 during the CAP23 Annual Meeting.