Advocacy News

• Pathologists unite in Washington against lab cuts, tariffs, and more
• CMS action on remote sign-out raises questions. Here are the answers
• CAP calls for tariff exemption for lab products
• Shutdown persists amid political gridlock
• Sharpen your media edge with online training

The CAP held its Council on Government and Professional Affairs (CGPA) Fall Assembly in Washington, DC, October 17–19.

The impact: Against the background of a federal government shutdown, the CGPA discussed its end-of-year strategy to reverse 2026 cuts to clinical lab services and several other topics, during the weekend's meeting.

On Friday, committees that are part of CGPA met to discuss the CAP’s advocacy priorities. The meeting included about 60 members of the Economic Affairs, Federal & State Affairs, and Value-Based Programs & Healthcare Policy Committees, as well as the PathPAC Board.

Hot topics: Pathologists discussed various CAP member concerns, including the shutdown, tariffs, stabilizing Medicare’s payment system, prior authorization, gene patents, digital pathology, quality payment programs, and much more.

• Throughout the day on Friday, the committees heard from guest speakers, including Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and congressional staff of health care policymakers.
• Rep. Obernolte, whose father is a pathologist, spoke about the federal oversight of artificial intelligence in health care. He also answered questions about congressional support to stop Medicare cuts to clinical lab services in 2026.

Go deeper: Read Rep. Obernolte’s Bipartisan House Task Force on AI report.

By the numbers: It’s not just pathologists in the CGPA family who are engaged in advocacy. Thousands of CAP members have been extremely active in our programs throughout 2025:

• 16,000 messages have been sent to Congress by about 1,800 pathologists. We're asking at least 700 more CAP members to send an Action Alert and help us achieve our advocacy objectives.
• 77 congressional candidates have received PathPAC funds. PathPAC has also allowed the CAP and its members to attend 100 political events, including many where pathologists met one-on-one with a member of Congress.
• 470 CAP members, including 133 new donors, have contributed to PathPAC in 2025. PathPAC is the only political action committee solely dedicated to representing pathologists. We’re asking for 100 more CAP members to support PathPAC before December 31.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is ending its enforcement discretion for remote review of digital images of cytology slides on March 23, 2026.

• Previously, CMS discontinued its enforcement discretion for review of glass slides in 2023.
• Per CLIA statute, it is required that "all cytological screening be done on the premises of a laboratory that is certified," meaning the updated guidance corresponds with the law.

Questions and answers

What is "remote review"?
Electronic review of digital images by qualified personnel under CLIA from a location that is NOT considered part of the main laboratory (eg, pathologist's home or an offsite location). 

If I am currently remotely reviewing digital cytology slides, what do I need to do to prepare for this change?
CMS will require that laboratories that want to continue reviewing digital images of cytology slides at a remote location after March 23, 2026, obtain a CLIA certificate for that location, separate from the main laboratory.

How long do I have before I must be in compliance with this guidance?
Per the CMS, labs have six months from the issue date of the memorandum to comply. Laboratories must have an additional CLIA certificate for each location outside of the main laboratory by March 23, 2026, if they want to continue remote review of digital cytology images.

We currently remotely review digital surgical pathology slides; will we be out of compliance if we continue?
No, the updated guidance only applies to remote review of cytology digital slides.

Go deeper: Read the CAP’s Remote Sign-Out FAQs.

The CAP is raising concerns over tariffs affecting essential laboratory products, including diagnostic medical supplies and equipment.

What we said: The CAP responded to a request for comments about tariffs by emphasizing pathologists’ reliance on supplies such as test kits and pipette tips for diagnosing diseases.

• Tariffs on these products could hinder pathologists' ability to provide critical diagnostic services, affecting patient care nationally.

The big picture: Since the tariff announcement, labs have faced increased costs for equipment, threatening innovation and access to care, particularly in underserved areas.

• Laboratories are reporting "tariff surcharges" on invoices, adding financial pressure without increased reimbursements.

What's next: The CAP urges the Trump administration to exempt medical device products from tariffs to ensure uninterrupted diagnostic services and patient care.

Efforts to reopen the federal government remain stalled, as the Senate has not passed a House-approved funding resolution. 

The impact: A shutdown affects staffing levels at the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other key agencies.

CMS recently announced that physicians can continue to submit claims for Medicare services, as it instructed contractors to limit claims holds and pay for services in a timely manner.

Learn how to handle tough questions from journalists during a series of virtual media trainings planned for later this year.

The focus: These complimentary sessions for CAP members cover the basics of media interviews and how best to prepare. We’ll include best practices and real examples from other CAP fellows.

Skills you'll master:

• Adapt your tone and style for different audiences and media formats.
• Master interview techniques for print, broadcast, and online platforms.
• Learn how the media works and what journalists look for in their interviews.
• Develop clear, concise, and compelling messages.

Register for an upcoming session (each offers identical insights) at a time that best fits your schedule:

• Wednesday, November 12: 11:00 AM–12:15 PM CT
• Tuesday, November 18: 5:00–6:15 PM CT
• Friday, December 5: 9:00–10:15 AM CT
• Wednesday, December 10: 2:00–3:15 PM CT