Path News Today: House of Delegates Edition

• California, cancer protocols get help from CAP delegates
• AI will 'enhance, not replace' pathologists
• The scoop on scope of practice
• Advocacy update for pathologists and labs
• Town hall highlights CAP's priorities
• 10,000 slides and a Substack: Engaging pathologists
• What's Next?

Since the last House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, delegates have helped shape new cancer protocols and offered support for a lawsuit filed by pathologists in California, HOD Speaker Sang Wu, MD, FCAP, reported to HOD attendees on Sunday.

Why it matters: The HOD works to ensure CAP policies and initiatives meet the needs of CAP members. Dr. Wu reviewed several key accomplishments since October:

• Delegates gave feedback on the development of new protocols for endocrine tumors and updates to breast cancer diagnoses.
• The CAP supported California pathologists' legal action involving the state's Medicaid program.
• Indiana pathologists rallied against legislation that could favor the insurance industry at the expense of pathology practice.

What's next: The HOD meets again in the fall at CAP25.

The rise of artificial intelligence in medicine is crucial for pathologists, according to a panel of experts including Matthew Hanna, MD, FCAP, Ravindra Kolhe, MD, PhD, FCAP, and Giovanni Lujan, MD, FCAP. The panel session, AI in Pathology: Early Insights & Future Directions, was moderated by Dean Joelson, MD, FCAP.

Why it matters: AI is changing pathology by enhancing diagnostic processes.

• 78% of companies and 66% of physicians use AI tools in their practices.

Expert insights:

• Dr. Hanna noted the integration of AI in pathology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with generative AI developments underway.
• Dr. Lujan reported complete slide digitization at Ohio State University.
• Dr. Joelson and Dr. Kolhe stressed that AI will enhance, not replace, pathologists.

What's next: Learn more about what the CAP is doing to help pathologists adopt AI systems. 

Paying close attention to scope of practice issues is essential to protecting patients, said W. Stephen Black-Shaffer, MD, MA, FCAP, Ray Callas, MD, Mary Le, MD, MCAP, and Marilyn J. Heine, MD, on the panel, Scope of Practice Under Pressure— Boundaries, Opportunities & Risks, moderated by Adam Booth, MD, FCAP.

What they're saying: Dr. Heine, from the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees, said it's extremely important for pathologists to continue to tell their stories and educate lawmakers about how infringements on their practices will impact patients.

• Dr. Le discussed the CAP's efforts to protect the pathologists scope of practice, including opposition to the cytotechnologist name change and the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) degree.

Every single member of the health care team plays an important role, but physicians have the highest level of training.

Texas Medical Association President Dr. Callas said, "We are fighting as hard as we can. Education and training are paramount. We should never dumb down the practice of medicine."

Go deeper: The AMA Scope of Practice Partnership has lots of resources for physicians to protect their specialties.

Pathologists heard about the latest policy issues impacting the specialty during a morning briefing from A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP, Chair of the Council on Government and Professional Affairs.

Changes in Washington: Dr. Saad discussed how Trump Administration trade policies will impact the cost of laboratory supplies, such as PCR tests. He also addressed cuts to the federal workforce.

• "We are engaged, we are aware of these and other cuts, including reductions in funds for cancer registries," said Dr. Saad.

Dr. Saad also called attention to challenges and opportunities:

• Decreased federal funding for health programs.
• Greater support for adverse health payer policies for physicians.
• Efforts to stop the FDA's rulemaking on laboratory-developed tests. 

CAP's Plan: "We will advocate for our patients, members, and laboratories to ensure Congress and the administration recognize the importance of these vital programs," added Dr. Saad.

CAP leadership assembles to hear from members and answer questions in an afternoon town hall. 

Bruce Mehlman, Partner at Mehlman Consulting and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, is dedicated to helping people understand the state of our political system, its history, and future concerns. 

Listen as Mehlman shares his advice for pathologists to stay informed, engaged, and proactive to advance pathology through education and advocacy.

Advocacy: A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP, Chair of the CAP's Council on Government and Professional Affairs, will discuss the CAP's advocacy work tomorrow morning. 

• Members will prepare for Tuesday's Hill Day visits and get more details about the CAP's federal policy asks.
• Panels include the Medicare Payment Reform That Works for Pathologists, LDTs—What's New and What It Means for You, and more.

The Winner Is…

• Find out who won the Back the PAC competition.

Continue following #HODPLS25 on social media and enjoy social media takeovers by CAP members!

Coming up Monday: Congress gets a special edition of the Washington Post courtesy of the CAP.