Advocacy News

• 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
• Policy, Pathology, and the Future of Health Care

A new report reveals US measles cases have reached their highest annual total since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. 

By the numbers: Data from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Outbreak Response Innovation shows nearly 1,300 confirmed infections as of July 8.

• While most of the cases were tied to the outbreak in West Texas, cases have arisen in 38 states.  

What they're saying: The CDC recommends that health care professionals stay alert and have resources ready.  

Testing: Laboratory confirmation should be pursued for all suspected measles cases.  

• Collect an NP swab or OP swab for RT-PCR testing and a blood specimen for serology testing.  
• Collect a urine specimen along with an NP/OP swab to potentially improve sensitivity. 

Go deeper: Watch the CAP's media briefing on measles.  

Medicare released the proposed 2026 Physician Fee Schedule, including cuts to pathology work relative value units (RVUs) through "efficiency adjustments" the CAP opposes.

However: Congress recently passed a 2.5% Medicare pay bump for 2026, which translates to a 0.56% increase for pathology—even with the RVU cuts.

Catch up quickly:

• Review our impact table for changes in pathology payments from this year to next.
• Read our full analysis from last night.

What's next: CAP will submit comments to CMS opposing the RVU cuts.

Go deeper: Experts will discuss new pathology pay policies during an August 5 webinar and at CAP25.

More than 300 rural hospitals are at risk of immediate closure due to financial challenges, warns a new report from the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform.

The CAP is deeply concerned about financial pressures hitting hospitals and pathology practices. We are strongly advocating for sustainable payment policies to address these challenges. 

Rural and underserved areas also face ongoing workforce shortages and resource limitations.

• We have consistently advocated for increased federal investment and support to help mitigate these challenges.
• For example, the CAP supports expanding the Conrad 30 waiver program, which enables international medical graduates trained in the US to remain here and practice in underserved communities.

Rural hospital fund: Congress recently allocated $50 billion over five years to assist rural hospitals.

Yes, but: More needs to be done to address the shortfalls communities face. 

What's next: The CAP will continue monitoring congressional action related to rural health and advocating for support from the physician community.

The Senate Health Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) approved Susan Monarez, PhD, to be the new director of the CDC, bringing her one step closer to confirmation. 

Dr. Monarez, who holds degrees in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been the agency’s interim director since January. She was nominated to serve permanently in March.

Policy shifts and legislative actions are shaping the future of pathology and laboratory medicine. 

• Our CAP25 session, Policy, Pathology, and the Future of Health Care: Key Challenges and Opportunities for Pathologists, will provide an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of health care policy and the influence of new regulatory frameworks on physician practice.
• Participants will learn about CAP advocacy efforts around important issues, including diagnostics regulations in a deregulatory environment, changes in biomedical research funding, and the real-world implications of shifting US policy. 

Panelists: A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP; W. Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD, MA, FCAP; Ravindra Kolhe, MD, PhD, FCAP; and Christina M. Wojewoda, MD, FCAP. 

Date & time: Sunday, September 14, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM ET

CME credits: 1.50

Register today!