September 25, 2026
2027 CLFS Rates Reinforce Need for Permanent Pay Reform
CAP Action Alert: Tell Congress to pass the RESULTS Act today!
Transcript
Nancy Johnson
The CAP speaks out on clinical laboratory reimbursement rates, a preview of advocacy and technology offerings at CAP26, and the winner of the 2026 Herbeck Humanitarian Award. These stories and more coming up next. This is Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. I'm Nancy Johnson. It's Friday, September 25th. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released preliminary 2027 laboratory payment rates this week that would cut $1 billion a year from Medicare clinical laboratory fees over the next three years. In a statement, CAP President Dr. Jim Jai said, quote, cuts of this scale threaten the stability of the laboratory infrastructure that patients and physicians rely on for accurate and timely diagnoses. The CAP is urging Congress to pass the Results Act, a bipartisan bill that would require CMS to use an independent third-party database to calculate Medicare clinical laboratory fee rates, arguing that CMS used flawed and limited data in its calculations.
Nancy Johnson
You'll have ample opportunities to learn more about this issue and other CAP advocacy priorities at CAP 26, which is only about a week away. CAP leaders will discuss proposed changes to the Surgical Pathology Code family, CLIA developments, state advocacy efforts, and more at the one-hour Advocacy Town Hall, 1030 a.m. Monday, October 5th. Several other advocacy-related sessions are scheduled during the conference. And drop by the advocacy booth anytime to meet with advocacy staff, learn about a variety of issues, and record a message for your members of Congress.
Nancy Johnson
CAP26 attendees can also learn about cutting-edge technologies coming to pathology practices in the coming years. Several continuing medical education sessions will cover AI applications and other tech-related subjects. Visit the CAP Innovation Hub for scheduled short sessions on AI tools, shortwave infrared imaging, cybersecurity, patient-centered reporting, precision medicine, and more. You'll find the full program on the CAP26 website or visit the Innovation Hub starting Saturday.
Nancy Johnson
And finally, Dr. Jeremy Hart is this year's recipient of the CAP Foundation's Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award. The award honors a CAP member who has made innovative and unique contributions to advance the Foundation's See, Test and Treat program, which provides free breast, cervical, and other cancer screenings to women who would otherwise not have access to them. Dr. Hart, the medical director for laboratories at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky, heard about See, Test and Treat through the CAP Foundation and brought it to St. Elizabeth's leaders in 2022.
Dr. Jeremy Hart
I pitched the idea to them that this program would be a wonderful opportunity for our system and it would serve as allowing our associates to feel like they could get back out in the community again and you know provide some meaningful impact there.
Nancy Johnson
Dr. Hart has co-led the program at St. Elizabeth every year since then. He not only directs laboratory work for the event, but also attends community events for patient recruitment, signs up partners, and encourages colleagues to participate. He spearheaded a new partnership with Faith Health Clinic this year that will expand its reach directly to underserved communities. Like any good leader, Dr. Hart says he's accepting the award for the whole team.
Dr. Jeremy Hart
Every year we've done this, we've had over a hundred volunteers supporting this program. And um, you know, my piece of that effort is relatively small in the grand scheme of things. And so any honor to me really is an honor to all of the wonderful dedicated members of my organization here in northern Kentucky.
Nancy Johnson
The award honors Dr. Gene Herbek, who founded See, Test and Treat more than 25 years ago and also served as CAP president.
Dr. Jeremy Hart
Receiving an award that bears Dr. Herbek's name, it's really, really meaningful because it aligns with the vision that we all strive for in laboratory medicine today. You know, we want to see improved health of our communities outside the walls of the laboratory. And so from what I've heard about Dr. Herbek and his impact on his colleagues, the college, his local community, his focus was outside the walls of the laboratory. So that makes it very, very meaningful to me.
Nancy Johnson
That's all for today. See the show notes for more information on today's stories. And if you've got a story to share, write us at stories atc.org. We'll be back Monday at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of the Daily Edition. I'm Nancy Johnson. Have a great weekend.