Advocacy News

• Tariff exemption needed for lab supplies
• Pathologists rally for legislative action
• Beyond the Recess: Four ways to advocate for pathology
• Physicians push back on pharmacist-scope expansion
• Urgent push to save cancer surveillance
• Panel highlights value of state advocacy, state societies

The CAP is urging the Department of Commerce to exempt medical devices and lab supplies from tariffs to ensure continued access to essential diagnostic materials. 

The stakes: In a letter sent August 22, the CAP expressed the need for affordable diagnostic products, including test kits and pipette tips, which are crucial for accurate and timely patient care.

• Tariffs on these products increase costs, which affects clinical testing, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas, the CAP said.
• Tariffs also pose the risk of decreasing innovation and limiting testing capabilities, which could significantly influence public health.
• Without exemptions, growing financial pressures on health care providers will limit access to necessary testing and innovation.

Go deeper: Read our letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
 

Congress will be back in Washington in just a few weeks — and if we want pathology’s priorities to be heard, we must act now.

The impact: Pathologists have sent Action Alerts throughout August to build momentum for critical legislation affecting pathologists and patients. Your voice matters and has the power to make our specialty’s issues a priority for returning lawmakers.

Let Congress know where pathologists stand on key issues:

• Support Physician Workforce Solutions: Advocate for policies like Conrad 30 to address the physician workforce shortage.
• Oppose the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act: Overturning court precedent, this act would allow the patenting of human genes and naturally occurring associations between genes and disease.
• Push for Prior Authorization Reform: Help eliminate delays and denials of care caused by burdensome prior authorization requirements.

Ready to hit send? Follow our step-by-step tutorial to send your alert! 
 

Advocacy doesn’t end in August. We’ll still need your voice after this month’s Recess Rally. Here are four ways to keep the momentum going after Congress returns to Capitol Hill!

• Join PathNET
• Sign up for advocacy grassroots text alerts
• Take our Recess Rally survey
• Invite a lawmaker to tour your laboratory

Your continued support strengthens our advocacy efforts to drive change for pathologists and patients.
 

The CAP, alongside the American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical societies, has co-signed a letter opposing the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act (S. 2426), citing patient safety concerns. 

The impact: If enacted, the bill could lead to pharmacists managing patient care for illnesses like COVID-19 and influenza, without adequate oversight.

What they're saying: The letter calls on lawmakers to reject the bill, emphasizing the need for physician-led, team-based treatment to maintain quality patient care.
 

Congress is finalizing budget decisions that could impact the future of cancer surveillance on a national scale.

The backstory: A 2026 budget plan proposes eliminating the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. This program funds and coordinates cancer surveillance nationwide.

• Removing the division would undermine data collection, screening, and prevention, and could pause other cancer-related programs.

By the numbers: In 2026, over two million new cancer diagnoses are expected in the US.

• Ongoing support is critical to advance cancer prevention and treatment efforts.

Action alert: Tell Congress to preserve CDC cancer surveillance funding now. 

• Share your story: Let federal lawmakers know how this affects your patients and your lab. Congress is listening —add your voice today!

State-level issues are pivotal in shaping the future of pathology, from scope of practice battles to insurer interference that limits patient access and payment. Join us to find out how the CAP engages in state-level advocacy on behalf of pathologists, hear about successful efforts so far this year, and learn how the CAP supports state pathology societies. 

Session: Power in Partnership: How State Pathology Societies and the CAP Drive Advocacy Together

Panelists: Kathryn T. Knight, MD, FCAP, and Rebecca F. Yorke, MD, FCAP 

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 16, at 10 AM ET

In this session, you will:

• Grasp the significance of state advocacy in the CAP's agenda.
• Identify key issues the CAP is tackling at the state level.
• Recognize the connection between state pathology societies and CAP advocacy.
• Discover ways to engage with your state pathology society.

Register Today

Already registered? Get vocal on social with our toolkit!