Advocacy News

• CAP presidency is "one of the great honors of my career," Dr. Karcher says
• Letter to Congress: "AI tools make predictions, pathologists make diagnoses"
• Federal loan policy must encourage, not dissuade, future doctors
• Breaking records: Hundreds join August Recess Rally
• Vaccine access concerns dominate Kennedy hearing
• Action Alerts wanted, gift card incentive announced
• You're invited: Exclusive CAP25 PathPAC donor events
• Voice actors wanted for theatrical podcast combining mystery, pathology

CAP President Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP, closes his two-year term this week at CAP25 in Orlando, Florida. He sat down for an interview to discuss his presidency, career, and the future of pathology.

The impact: Dr. Karcher championed pathologists' causes at critical moments such as the fight against the FDA’s rulemaking on LDT oversight. 

• In 2024, he testified before Congress on LDTs, telling lawmakers the FDA rulemaking would harm labs and patients.

Zoom out: Dr. Karcher's career spans military service, private practice in his home state of Louisiana, George Washington University Hospital, and leadership positions throughout the CAP. 

What's next: He sees advances in genomic testing, digital pathology, and AI as transformative for the field, and urges pathologists to adopt these tools responsibly.

Watch the Story

The CAP submitted a Statement for the Record in response to a House hearing on AI. 

What we said: The CAP emphasized the importance of AI in complementing pathologists' diagnostic abilities without replacing human expertise. We highlighted AI’s potential, while cautioning that effective integration necessitates a robust oversight framework.

• The integration of AI in pathology requires rules to ensure patient safety and clinical validity.
• Pathologists must lead the use of AI tools to ensure their insights are applied accurately and responsibly.

Challenges in adoption: The slow national adoption of digital pathology and infrastructural demands is hindering AI integration.

• Standardization and interoperability are critical precursors.
• Investment in digital infrastructure and workforce training is essential.

The path forward: The CAP continues to advocate for policies that prioritize patient safety, promote innovation, and consider the ethics, while preserving the role of pathologists without compromising care.

Go deeper: Read our full statement.

The CAP and other medical associations urged the Department of Education to maintain federal loan access for medical students amid changes resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The details: The bill's new $257,500 lifetime borrowing cap and the elimination of the Graduate Plus Loan could force many medical students to rely on high-interest private loans.

• This could deter students, particularly from rural and underserved communities, from entering the medical field.
• Maintaining loan access is crucial to addressing physician workforce shortages.

The big picture: Physician groups want to preserve exceptions allowing medical students to borrow beyond statutory limits and for interest-free deferment during residencies.

• We need to work collaboratively to adjust policies and safeguard the future physician workforce.

Go deeper: Read the letter to the Department of Education.

Your voice is powerful and we have the numbers to prove it.

Advocacy impact: A record 438 advocates participated to make their voices heard on issues affecting pathologists during our August Recess Rally.

• Legislators contacted: 314 lawmakers were reached, emphasizing the broad reach of this initiative.
• Messages sent: A total of 2,629 messages were dispatched, showcasing the commitment and effort put forth by the advocacy community.

This is what advocacy looks like in action. Every message you send helps ensure that lawmakers understand the critical role pathologists play in patient care.

Haven't taken action yet? Here are four ways to maintain the momentum.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a contentious three-hour Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4, where lawmakers pressed him on vaccine policy and public health decisions. 

The impact: Both Republicans and Democrats voiced concerns about the CDC's recent changes and the potential long-term effects to public health in the US.

Key hearing takeaways

During the hearing, there was bipartisan support for robust patient access to vaccines. Kennedy faced repeated questions focused on vaccine efficacy, and senators further scrutinized his decisions to:

• Fire former CDC Director Susan Monarez, PhD.
• Replace all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
• Revoke FDA emergency use authorizations for the COVID-19 vaccines.

What they're saying: Kennedy pushed back on critics, pledging transparency and requiring placebo-controlled trials for vaccine approvals to "restore trust."

• However, Kennedy also repeated debunked claims about the MMR vaccine being linked to autism, promising to release more information about what causes autism later this month.

After reading messages from constituents who couldn’t get shots, Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), commented that new policies were effectively denying patient access to COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy disputed Dr. Cassidy’s claim.

• The exchange showed lawmakers are listening to their constituents.
• CAP members can connect with their lawmakers through our advocacy programs, such as PathNET. 

What's next: ACIP meets September 18–19 with new members picked by Kennedy to make new recommendations on vaccine policies.

At CAP25, we're making your advocacy count even more!

Advocacy is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the future of pathology. 

• When pathologists speak up together, lawmakers listen and real policy change can happen. 

Leading up to and throughout the CAP annual meeting, every member who sends an Action Alert about Medicare reform to their federal lawmakers will be entered into a raffle to win a $200 Amazon gift card. 

Whether you're attending the meeting or sending your alerts from home, your voice matters! 

• The raffle winner will be announced in the weeks after CAP25.
• Don't miss your chance to advocate for pathology!

Join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and appreciation as we honor the donors who power pathology's voice on Capitol Hill.

Step into the Stockroom Speakeasy: This chic venue, located inside the Orlando World Center Marriott, is where we’ll welcome PathPAC high-level supporters.

• Date: Sunday, September 14
• Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
• Exclusive to PathPAC donors contributing $1,000 or more

The PathPAC All-Donor Reception: Join us for a reception in the swanky Hawks Landing room honoring all 2025 donors. Network with colleagues, meet CAP leaders, and celebrate the power of collective advocacy.

• Date: Sunday, September 14
• Time: 7:30–8:30 PM
• Open to all PathPAC 2025 contributors

Powered by PathPAC. Your support keeps pathology’s voice strong.

The CAP wants to hear from members interested in lending their voices to a new theatrical podcast that demonstrates how pathologists solve medical mysteries. Each episode is a radio-theatre-style play adapted from a real pathology case study.

Casting call: We're casting CAP members for various roles to showcase the expertise, empathy, and impact of our community on patient health. 

How to apply: Send an email to Clemmie Lozano (clozano@cap.org) and Magan Janus (mjanus@cap.org) with the subject line "CAP Radio Theatre Casting Call" with a voice note including:

• Your name and specialty
• Any relevant experience (Optional since no experience is required)

Don't delay: Production on the first three episodes of the show begins soon!