Previous Advocacy Updates

Medicare finalized its 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule late on Halloween. It included policy that arbitrarily drives down pay for pathologists, however, the overall impact of the changes maintains a slight increase for the pathology specialty in 2026.

Latest Action Alerts: Ask your representatives to support the RESULTS Act, address the physician workforce shortage, oppose the Patient Eligibility Act, and reform prior authorization.

Pathologists unite in Washington against lab cuts, tariffs, and more; CMS action on remote sign-out raises questions; CAP calls for tariff exemption for lab products; Shutdown persists amid political gridlock; Sharpen your media edge with online training.

CAP opposes gene patent bill, citing harms to health care and innovation; Ongoing government shutdown hits FDA, CDC staffing and programs; CAP board appoints Akshay Patel as interim CEO starting later this month; Online media training sessions planned in November and December.

CLIA paperless notification delivery set for next year; CMS furloughs nearly 50% of staff during shutdown; Pathologists Quality Registry unaffected by federal shutdown; Medical coalition seeks J-1 visa protections for physicians; Gene patent bill threatens ability for second opinions.

A federal government shutdown begins after midnight tonight. Keep reading to see how a shutdown affects you. Also: It’s getting harder to practice pathology. We need Congress to take action on issues that affect you. 

Ask Congress to pass the RESULTS Act; House passes stopgap bill, but shutdown looms; White House curbs H-1B visas, but might exempt physicians from fees; and more updates.

Dr. Karcher reflects on his CAP presidency; August Recess Rally updates and successes; exclusive PathPAC events at CAP25.

CAP discusses improved device transparency with FDA; Leadership change at CDC; Homeland Security places limits on student visas; Our push for HIT improvement; and more.

CAP wants lab supplies to qualify for a tariff exemption to maintain essential diagnostic services and care… we also oppose scope-of-practice creep in a pharmacist bill. 

Pathologists across the nation are diving into our August Recess Rally. 

CAP to Congress: Protect cancer research funding; August is for action: Five ways to help your specialty; FDA LDT rule rescinded; CAP Board election results announced; Breaking: Members advocate for student health in online news conference; Your Medicare fee questions answered.

Rally for pathology: Tell Congress where you stand on key policy issues; CMS unveils digital health push; Dr. Monarez takes CDC helm; Advocacy on CAP25 agenda next month.

Congress urged to simplify Medicare Advantage prior authorization; Lawmakers open to making Medicare Advantage reforms; CAP opposes HR 3164; AI roadmap unveiled by White House .

The next few weeks are packed with crucial deadlines and activities: July 29: Last day for physicians to file a claim in a BlueCross BlueShield settlement; August 5: Our 2026 Medicare fee schedule webinar, and throughout August: Our Recess Rally with PathNET.

Measles cases surge to 33-year high; Pathology pay sees net gain in 2026 Medicare fee proposal; A murky outlook for rural hospitals; Senate advances CDC director nominee; CAP25 Session: Policy, Pathology, and the Future of Health Care.

Medicare published next year’s proposed fee schedule. Our initial analysis is within this special advocacy newsletter.

Medicare expands coverage for genetic testing; H5N1 cases decline; Clinical lab community loses key voice; Create your summer advocacy action plan; Ask the CP experts at CAP25.

By a 218-214 vote, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cleared the House on Thursday. President Trump is scheduled to sign the bill into law on July 4 at 5 PM ET. 

The CAP, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and other leading organizations are urging HHS to reinstate the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC).