Advocacy News

• PathPAC donors meet Congress members, add "White House" photo op
• HOD members set PathPAC record
• Medicare tops member concerns
• Private payer strategies detailed in morning session
• UT resident pathologist wins award
• Podcast: The First 100 Days
• Tuesday on the Hill

More than one hundred PathPAC donors attended a reception tonight as thanks for their contributions to the specialty's only political action committee. CAP members visited with four House members: Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), Andy Harris, MD (R-MD), Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD (D-MN), and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA). 

Members of the House of Delegates Heartland region are the winners of this year’s annual HOD Back the PAC competition, raising $18,101 for PathPAC.

House Speaker Sang Wu, MD, FCAP, and PathPAC Chair Randy Eckert, MD, FCAP, announced the winners this morning. The competition raised over $72,000 - a new record.

"What we learned from this competition is that pathologists are really competitive," Dr. Wu said. 

10 states are in the Heartland region. They include Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas. 

Learn more about PathPAC. 

CAP members discussed health care policies and prepped for Tuesday's Hill Day visits during several meetings on today’s agenda.

"It's a strategic moment to shape legislation that benefits pathologists," said Council on Government and Professional Affairs Chair A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP.

The big picture: Medicare payment reform is a concern because of the impact of inflation and rising costs on pathology practices.

• Dr. Saad said rising practice costs and tariffs on overseas supplies are significant challenges for pathologists.
• Panel members supported annual inflationary updates and adjustments to budget neutrality requirements.

Front page news: This morning, all congressional offices received the CAP's policy message in an advertisement wrapped around 2,700 copies of The Washington Post.

Pathologists heard today from other organizations and medical specialties about their strategies to address disruptions caused by private health payers.

The advice came this morning during a panel, Adverse Impacts of Insurance Interference on Patient Care, moderated by Ronald McLawhon, MD, PhD, FCAP, and featuring experts Teresa Emory, MD, FCAP, Wes Cleveland, JD, Lauren Foe, MPH, and Molly Smith, MS.

The latest: Dr. Emory reviewed the CAP's recent private payer report, explaining how insurers are taking control of patients’ medical care.

• Wes Cleveland, JD, senior attorney at the American Medical Association, briefed CAP members about an antitrust lawsuit filed against insurers.
• Lauren Foe, MPH, a senior associate with the American College of Surgeons, suggested pathologists consider strategies surgeons use to engage with private insurers.
• Molly Smith, MS, group vice president of public policy at the American Hospital Association (AHA), detailed how the AHA holds commercial health insurers accountable. See details in the organization's advocacy agenda.

Agnes Udoh, MD, MBA, from The University of Texas Medical Branch, receives this year's Resident Advocacy Development Award. The award is funded by PathPAC's Political Education Fund and provides travel support for the selected resident.

A seasoned Washington observer offers his view of the Trump Administration's first 100 days. Tevi Troy, CEO of the American Health Policy Institute, explains what pathologists can learn from White House strategies.

Listen here

On the Hill: CAP members are headed to Capitol Hill. The day begins with a group photo on the Capitol steps. Thirty-five members will make their first visits to congressional offices.

Why it matters: These meetings will help ensure continuous, high-quality patient care and accurate diagnoses.

• Key legislative priorities include Medicare payment reform and workforce expansion.
• By backing these initiatives, pathologists can continue to provide the highest standards of care.

Help from afar: Even if you aren’t part of the event tomorrow, you can still make a difference. Donate to PathPAC, the only pathology-specific PAC, to make sure Congress knows where pathologists stand on key policy questions.

Send a message: Use the PathNet Action Center to contact Congress about these issues.

On social media: Join the conversation. Include #FixMedicareNow on social media posts.