capitol hill report: AAN identifies top advocacy priorities
March 25, 2024
Issue in Focus
Each year, the Advocacy Committee sets the AAN's advocacy priority issues. The committee takes input from the annual advocacy priorities survey and the political environment to identify three categories of issue priorities: top, active, and monitoring. The AAN uses this as a guide to advocate for members and their patients. These priorities influence actions including comment letters, discussion with policymakers, setting NOH priorities, and joining coalitions.
In tandem with the newly announced Strategic Plan and the 2023 Advocacy Priorities Survey, the Advocacy Committee identified the following priorities for 2024 to further progress toward the AAN’s goals—and its vision to be indispensable to its members.
Top Priorities:
- Access to Care (includes telehealth, drug costs, and access)
- Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burdens (includes prior authorization and step therapy)
- Neurology Workforce (includes reimbursement, wellness, and immigration)
Active Priorities:
- Brain Health
- Neuroscience Research and Funding
- Health Equity
- Other Active Issues (EHR interoperability, AAN Principles for Health Care Delivery, funding and implementation of the National Neurologic Disease Surveillance System, and funding for VA Centers of Excellence)
Monitoring Priorities:
- AI
- COVID-19 Response
- Cannabis Research
- Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
- MACRA & QPP Implementation
- Medical Liability Reform
- Opioids and Pain Research
- Other Monitoring Issues (gun safety, narrow networks, surprise billing, neuroimaging, and psychedelic drugs)
Latest Advocacy News
AAN Updates Position Statement on Health Care Delivery
The AAN has issued an updated position statement on principles of health care delivery, highlighting key functions for an optimal neurology care delivery system. It newly includes the importance of growing a diverse neurology workforce, supporting community access to care, investments to promote and protect brain health, and supporting integration of research findings into clinical practice.
AAN Reaffirms Position Statement on Diagnostic EMG
The AAN reaffirmed its position statement Diagnostic Electromyography is the Practice of Medicine, which supports policy measures that ensure the highest quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the performance of diagnostic electromyography (EMG).
FDA Advisory Committee to Review Donanemab
The FDA is expected to convene an advisory committee meeting to further review the experimental Alzheimer’s drug donanemab, drugmaker Eli Lilly said earlier this month. With no meeting date set, the company said a decision on the drug is not expected until at least the second quarter of 2024. The AAN is closely monitoring activity impacting access to this and other anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody therapies and will continue to engage with relevant regulators to promote appropriate coverage and payment policies for FDA-approved therapies.
House Passes Bill on Preventative Care in Congressional Budget Estimates
On March 19, the House passed the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventative Health Savings Act (H.R. 766). This bill would allow the chairs or ranking members of any committee of jurisdiction to request that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) consider the potential savings from legislation that would encourage or allow for preventative healthcare. By allowing for a 30-year estimate on cost instead of a 10-year estimate, bill sponsors hope CBO can capture the long-term savings to Medicare that would result from recipients receiving preventative care. The AAN will continue to monitor this legislation.
House Subcommittee Reviews Proposals on Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s
On March 12, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health held a markup of 19 legislative proposals aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of patients, including the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R.7208), the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (H.R.619), and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act of 2024 (H.R.7218). The AAN continues to follow legislative activity in Energy and Commerce and is working closely with the committee to reiterate policies of importance to neurology and its patients. A recording of the markup is available on the committee’s website.
Included in the markup was the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R.7153). This bill, introduced by Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Buddy Carter (R-GA), seeks reauthorization of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R.7153). This first-of-its-kind legislation has funded more than $100 million in grants to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders among health care providers. The AAN signed onto a letter of support last month thanking bill sponsors for re-introducing this critical program.
What We're Reading
- No Evidence of Havana Syndrome Brain Injury, US Studies Find (Reuters)
- As More States Target Disavowed ‘Excited Delirium’ Diagnosis, Police Groups Push Back (KFF Health)
- CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Impact WellbeingTM Campaign Releases Hospital-Tested Guide to Improve Healthcare Worker Burnout (CDC Newsroom)