Advocacy News

• Senate drops House “doc fix”
• Push by MedPAC for pay fairness
• CLIAC shutdown
• What pathologists discussed in NY
• Pathology leaders: Take our survey
• Policy impacts on CAP25 agenda

The Senate Finance Committee’s draft reconciliation bill—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—omits the House version’s effort to address Medicare payment.  

While the House version of a “doc fix” provision takes a step forward in Medicare structural reform, it locks in 2025 payment cuts and does not bring pay to last year’s levels until 2029.

• The House bill passed on May 22 took an incremental approach by tying Medicare physician payment updates to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
• The CAP signed a  June 6 letter to Senate leaders advocating for senators to improve the House proposal by addressing 2025 Medicare cuts and fully implementing annual MEI-based updates.

The missing pay fix was one of many changes unveiled by the Finance Committee on June 16. Notably, the draft also proposes additional cuts to the Medicaid program.

• Other Senate changes, such as measures to lower the costs of student loans, still need clarification.

The big picture: Expect more negotiations and revisions as Congress works to finalize a budget reconciliation package ahead of the July 4 target date for sending a bill to President Trump.

• The CAP is fighting for pathologists and encouraging lawmakers to make necessary changes so patients can continue to receive high-quality care from well-trained physicians. 

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is recommending Congress increase physician payment rates annually for inflation.  

Inside the report: The recommendation, included in MedPAC’s June 2025 report to Congress, is consistent with the commission’s previous advocacy for rate increases based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).

• The report suggests pay updates of MEI minus one percentage point on a prospective basis.
• For example, if MEI growth is projected to be 4% for the coming year, physician pay would increase by 3%. 

It’s official: the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) will no longer meet to discuss updating lab regulations.

What happened: On June 12, CLIAC members were informed that the committee had been dissolved—retroactive to March 31.

• CLIAC, established in 1992, provided guidance on clinical lab regulation to keep pace with advancements in science and medicine.  
• It’s one of several advisory committees cut by the HHS as part of a broader program overhaul.
• The CAP has several concerns over losing CLIAC, as it’s been a forum to discuss pressing issues in clinical laboratory testing.  

What’s next: The CAP is engaged with Congress, the administration, and other stakeholders about the decision to shutter CLIAC, as well as broader changes to public health infrastructure. 

President-Elect Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FCAP, presented the CAP’s latest advocacy and professional initiatives during the New York State Society of Pathology (NYSSP) annual meeting on June 14 in Niagara Falls, New York.

Dr. Zhai highlighted how the CAP partners with state societies to advance advocacy at national and local levels.  

• He addressed issues such as the future of AI in pathology, threats to pathologists’ scope of practice, and private insurance challenges.  
• Dr. Zhai also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting state societies during his upcoming presidency.

Big picture: CAP leaders regularly travel to state pathology society meetings across the country to share insights on national issues, reinforce advocacy efforts, and strengthen relationships with state leaders.

• These visits ensure that the CAP remains closely connected to local challenges and priorities facing pathologists.

NYSSP President Humayun Kamal Islam, MD, PhD, FCAP, opened the meeting, followed by Vice President Louis K. Sussman, MD, FCAP, who led a session on how pathologists can engage in local efforts. Both emphasized the important role state societies play in shaping advocacy at all levels.

Go deeper: Explore the CAP’s State Pathology Societies resources. 

Pathology leaders, take the 2025 Practice Leader Survey today!

Your input is vital for shaping the pathology's message in Washington, DC, by providing crucial insights into payment and regulatory issues, practice insights, and more.

• These data, reported in aggregate, strengthen our advocacy by showing policymakers the numbers to support our policies.
• All survey responses are anonymous.

Participants are eligible to receive an Amazon gift card (while supplies last).

Act Now: Check your inbox for an invitation, or contact PracticeSurvey@cap.org to complete the survey before June 23. 

Rapid policy shifts are reshaping pathology and laboratory medicine. During a course at CAP25, you can explore these changes and their effects on pathology practices.

Title: Policy, Pathology, and the Future of Health Care: Key Challenges and Opportunities for Pathologists (M2527)

• This session covers critical issues like lab regulations, AI in diagnostics, and immigration reforms affecting the health care workforce.
• 1.5 CME is available.

Date & time: September 14 at 10:30 AM ET

The expert panel leading the discussion includes A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP; W. Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD, FCAP; Christina M. Wojewoda, MD, FCAP; and Ravindra Kolhe, MD, PhD, FCAP. 

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