Previous Advocacy Updates

Congressional news: Federal health policy activity picked up, with movement on Medicare payment reform and changes to key advisory groups that influence care and coverage.

Prior authorization bill nears milestone in the House; House panel to examine Medicare physician payment reforms; CAP signs on to Medicare payment reform letter; FDA leadership shift raises questions for labs.

Bipartisan LCD reform gains momentum. Your voice matters; Physician groups urge Congress to enforce No Surprises Act payments; Your AMA membership helps strengthen pathology’s voice; 2026 Medicare pay: Check your remittance advices; ONC advisory committee examines affordability and HIT policy.

Positive results from Hill Day 2026; Advocacy win for Arizona pathologists; Physician groups urge stronger enforcement of No Surprises Act protections; Data reporting period now open for laboratories.

Just released: The 2025 CAP Practice Leader Survey Report

CAP urges State Department to address physician visa delays; Virginia enacts state law on lab steering; CMS' Clinical Lab Fee Schedule  webinar on April 16.

The CAP urges health officials to target anti-fraud efforts; PAMA reporting opens May 1; Stronger state societies, stronger advocacy; HHS restores ONC name, refocuses health tech leadership.

Inside this issue: an update on remote sign-out policy developments; a PSA bill that failed in Maryland; a laboratory tour highlighting the role of pathology for an Illinois representative; and more.

We’re tracking federal and state health policy developments shaping pathology and laboratory medicine, including potential visa fee relief, NIH data policies, and related regulatory actions.

What’s new with genetic testing legislation in Connecticut, national pathologist workforce projections, advocacy engagement at HOD/PLS26, delayed release of pathology test results in Virginia, and the CAP’s response to federal diagnostic imaging standards.

New York pathologists push back on scope-of-practice creep; CAP raises cytology policy questions with CMS; Connect with peers at pathology State Leaders Meet & Greet; House hearing targets rural physician shortages and GME reform; Federal anti-fraud effort will look at lab services; USPSTF meeting canceled again.

Pathology leaders align on 2026 advocacy priorities, CAP presses HHS for transparent, safe use of AI in health care, CAP voices concerns on HTI-5 rule, and more stories from this week's advocacy newsletter.

Tariff tug-of-war drags on; Act now: pathologists support Medicare pay reform bill; US considers launching a new global health initiative; Florida pathologists unite for advocacy; Jay Bhattacharya named as acting CDC lead; Connect, advocate, and lead in Washington, DC.

In this issue: A new effort to update your Medicare pay; CAP leads coverage policy changes; Join your colleagues at the House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit in April; CAP president meets pathologists in Nebraska.

We lead off this week’s newsletter with a special update from CAP President Qihui "Jim" Zhai, MD, FCAP.

Congress just passed legislation to end the partial government shutdown. The House of Representatives voted on a series of bills to reopen the government and delay Medicare cuts to lab tests. 

The House has passed legislation that delays cuts to clinical laboratory tests until 2027; the CAP has submitted recommendations to CMS to improve the Medicare Advantage insurance program; and the US is on the brink of losing its measles elimination status. 

Good news from Washington for labs: The House voted yesterday to postpone Medicare cuts to clinical lab fees.

Congress will scrutinize private health insurers in three important hearings: skyrocketing health care costs and our fiscal future, health insurance affordability, and a Q&A with health insurance CEOs.

Reminder: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring all laboratories to switch to electronic notifications for CLIA fee coupons and certificates by March 1.