Advocacy News

• Louisiana bill to rename cytotechnologists fails in committee
• Connecticut genetic privacy law enacted after CAP, state advocacy
• CMS finalizes No Surprises Act dispute changes
• CAP members rally to shape federal policy

On May 20, Louisiana House Bill 1216 failed to advance out of the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee, halting a proposal to rename “cytotechnologists” as “cytologists.”

The bill, introduced on behalf of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, aimed to update the state’s clinical laboratory licensure law and align terminology with a national credentialing organization.

The impact: The bill’s failure preserves existing terminology that clearly distinguishes cytotechnologists from pathologists under federal law.

• Under CLIA regulations (42 CFR 493.1483), “cytotechnologist” is a defined role separate from the practice of medicine by pathologists.
• Changing the title could have created confusion for patients and the public and introduced legal and regulatory uncertainty.
• No other state recognizes “cytologist” in licensure laws; those with laboratory personnel licensure refer to “cytotechnologist.”

What we’re saying: In an opposition letter, the CAP and the Louisiana Pathology Society warned that departing from established terminology could create compliance challenges and undermine clarity in laboratory roles.

• The Louisiana State Medical Society supported our position.

What’s next: The CAP will monitor for any effort to reintroduce similar legislation in Louisiana.

On May 27, Gov. Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill 4, establishing new genetic privacy rules for direct-to-consumer testing companies.

The CAP and the Connecticut Society of Pathologists (CSP) previously secured an amendment to the bill to ensure it would not apply to clinicians ordering genetic tests for medical purposes.

The impact: Due to the CAP-backed amendment, the law’s genetic privacy and consent requirements do not apply to:

• Any individual licensed in Connecticut to provide health care services.
• Any such individual acting within their scope of practice to order genetic testing for a medical purpose.

Because of CAP and CSP advocacy, Connecticut pathologists are shielded from additional consent requirements and related liability when ordering medically necessary genetic tests.

What's next: The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Go deeper: Read the prior article on this legislation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized updates to the federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) process under the No Surprises Act, incorporating several changes for which the CAP has long advocated.

The impact: The final rule includes updates aimed at improving access to the IDR process and reducing administrative burden for physicians, including pathologists.

• CMS will centralize the open negotiation process through a federal IDR portal, creating a more standardized and transparent system.
• The rule adds flexibility for batching claims, particularly for specialties like pathology that often have lower reimbursement services.
• CMS increased the batching limit from 25 to 50 items, reversing course on a previous proposal and aligning with the CAP's recommendation.
• The administrative fee for disputes will be reduced to $15 per part.
• These changes make the IDR process more accessible for pathologists, especially for lower-dollar claims that may otherwise be difficult to pursue. 

What’s next: CMS will begin implementing the updated IDR process as stakeholders review the final rule and related guidance.

Go deeper: Review CMS' Federal IDR fact sheet 

Congress is weighing policies that could reshape how you practice and how patients access care.

The impact: These decisions by lawmakers could change how pathologists and laboratories operate, and how patients get essential services.

• New policies could add administrative hurdles or open new opportunities for your practice.
• Medicare payment cuts and coverage changes could affect test availability and turnaround times.

The big picture: CAP members are pushing back and shaping these debates through targeted Action Alerts.

• Reforming prior authorization to reduce delays in patient care.
• Protecting laboratory services from Medicare payment cuts.
• Increasing transparency in Medicare coverage decisions.
• Stopping the physician payment “efficiency adjustment.”
• Addressing longstanding physician workforce shortages.

Action alert: Your direct outreach matters. Take a minute to send a CAP Action Alert and help keep pathology’s voice strong on Capitol Hill.