Advocacy News

• What pathologists are telling their lawmakers before New Year's Eve
• Protecting patient access to diagnostic testing across the US
• Prepare for 2026 payment changes
• Coming soon… "Case Encounters"
• November CAP media highlights
• Media training for CAP members

With just a few weeks left in the year remaining, CAP members are asking their members of Congress to stop flawed Medicare payment cuts from taking effect on January 1.

Situational awareness: There are fewer than 14 legislative days left before lawmakers break for the holidays.

• The CAP activated an action alert for our members to easily send messages to their representatives and senators. 
  Lawmakers are making year-end decisions that will shape laboratory services and physician payment for 2026 and beyond. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released next year's Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which includes an "efficiency adjustment" that cuts Medicare payments by 2.5%.

• By the numbers: These cuts will affect 7,000 services from almost all specialties, based not on new data but on assumed "efficiencies." 

What we're doing: The CAP is continuing to lead advocacy efforts to stop these drastic payment cuts and is asking lawmakers to stop Medicare's planned efficiency adjustment.

• We emphasize that the policy represents a cut of tens of millions of dollars to pathology professional diagnostic services.
• Review the CAP's impact table to compare next year’s changes to current rates.

Congress listens when we speak up: By taking action today, you’ll help protect patients and strengthen the specialty of pathology. 

• Contact your elected officials and urge them to advance long-overdue Medicare payment reforms that address chronic underfunding, strengthen physician practices, and ensure the pathology workforce can continue delivering high-quality diagnostic care.

On top of the efficiency adjustment cuts, Medicare may cut payment to 800 clinical lab tests by up to 15% in 2026. 

The impact: These reductions will limit patient access to essential tests and weaken laboratory infrastructure, creating a domino effect in labs nationwide.

• While the short-term continuing resolution delays the cuts through the end of January 2026, this is only a temporary solution.
• Without action on a long-term fix, laboratories will again face deep cuts.

What we're doing: Pathologists are asking Congress to support the RESULTS Act. 

• The bill stabilizes the nation’s laboratory infrastructure, stops the harmful Medicare payment cuts, and establishes a modernized payment framework that protects patient access.

The future of diagnostic care is at stake. Speak up now to protect access to timely, life-saving, accurate diagnostic testing.

Medicare payment policies are changing in just a few weeks. While we continue our advocacy efforts, the CAP is also helping pathologists stay informed and prepared for the changes ahead.

Sign up now for this week's 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Webinar to understand how these updates will affect your practice and laboratory operations.

In this session, you'll learn more about:

• Key changes in Medicare payment rules and what they mean for your practice
• Practical approaches to prepare your practice for new payment and reporting requirements
• The role of CAP advocacy in shaping critical improvements to Medicare policy

Gain insights from our panel of experts:

• Gregary Bocsi, DO, FCAP
• Ronald W. McLawhon, MD, PhD, FCAP
• A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP

When: December 5 at 3:00 PM ET

Secure your spot now and share this webinar with your colleagues to ensure your practices are ready for 2026.

Save My Seat

The public will soon be invited to enter the fascinating world of clinical conundrums with a new CAP audio series, Case Encounters!

Case Encounters is a new fictional podcast series inspired by real-life medical mysteries that were unraveled and solved by pathologists—presented in a way that highlights the importance of your work to patients and their health. 

Also, each episode will feature the voice acting talents of CAP members. Can you guess who’s playing each character? Click on the link above for a quick preview!

What's next: The series launches soon! Save now to be the first to know when new episodes are available on your favorite podcast app!

Interviews with CAP members were featured in several media outlets, including the Associated Press, throughout the month of November. 

• For example, Megan O. Nakashima, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAP Hematopathology Committee, discussed acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia with Patient Power. 

Check out more of our latest interviews on:

• The surge in Texas whooping cough cases, Associated Press
• A new evidence-based guideline to standardize amyloidosis diagnosis, Voice of Healthcare
• CAP advocacy for prehospital blood transfusions to save lives, Medical Laboratory Observer
• How digital platforms are transforming pathology education, Pathology News

Ready to step into your next media interview with confidence? Join one of our final virtual training sessions of the year and learn how to deliver your message with clarity and credibility.

We'll show you how to:

• Tailor your message and delivery for different audiences.
• Sharpen your interview techniques across print, broadcast, and online platforms.
• Prepare for what journalists look for in newsworthy stories and how to make your story newsworthy.

Final 2025 sessions (all identical content):

• Friday, December 5: 9:00–10:15 AM CT
• Wednesday, December 10: 2:00–3:15 PM CT

Register now and get media savvy!