Stabilizing Medicare Payments, Expanding Access, and Strengthening Workforce

Policy Priorities Will Protect Patient Access to Accurate, Timely Lab Test Results

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) represents over 20,000 board-certified pathologists dedicated to advancing excellence in pathology and laboratory medicine. Our advocacy efforts focus on ensuring that pathologists can continue to provide accurate diagnoses and optimal patient care. Below, you’ll find our key legislative priorities for 2026 that we urge policymakers to support. These legislative asks are crucial for ensuring that pathologists can continue to provide high-quality care and accurate diagnoses, ultimately improving patient outcomes. We appreciate your support and collaboration in advancing these important issues.

Medicare Payment Reform

1. Pass the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act: Full annual inflationary updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
2. Pass the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act: Reverse across-the-board cuts to physician work relative value units (RVUs).
3. Pass the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act: Stabilize the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by modifying budget neutrality requirements.

Workforce

The United States is facing a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 while demand for pathologists and physicians continues to grow. Congress must strengthen the physician workforce and ensure patients have access to the care they need to live healthier lives by passing:

1. Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act
2. Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act
3. Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act
4. Resident Physician Shortage Act

Ongoing Legislative Priorities

1. Pass the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act: Prevent draconian cuts to critical lab tests in future years.
2. LCD Reform: Urge Congress to pass legislation reforming the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) process to ensure coverage decisions are made by qualified health experts through a transparent process based on sound medical evidence.