Capitol Hill Report
Advocacy
Read the Academy's bi-weekly update on legislative and regulatory advocacy for neurology.
May 11, 2026
Senators receive Wiesman Award for neurology leadership
We’ve got your back on Capitol Hill—and we’re in overdrive advocating for you and your patients. Capitol Hill Report is your source for all things neurology advocacy, including this update on our work with Congress. Plus, we want to hear from you: Let us know if your practice, research, or patients are affected by recent policy changes.
Issue in focus
Each year at Neurology on the Hill, the AAN presents the Janice F. Wiesman Congressional Leadership in Neurology Award to members of Congress who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on issues impacting neurologists and the patients they serve.
The award is offered in memory of Janice F. Wiesman, MD, FAAN, an incredible advocate for her patients and for the AAN. A member since 1991, she was both an advocate and an advisor for the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, an eight-time Neurology on the Hill participant, a two-time Neurology off the Hill participant, and three-term member of the AAN Advocacy Committee/Government Relations Committee. Dr. Wiesman’s family is in full support of this award.
The 2026 recipients were Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Currently serving as Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, 好色先生, and Related Agencies (Labor-H), Senators Capito and Baldwin have played a pivotal role in shaping federal investments in health and neuroscience research. Their leadership directly impacts critical programs, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the BRAIN Initiative.
Senator Capito has been a leading voice in the Senate advocating for robust appropriations for neuroscience research, helping to drive continued progress in understanding and treating neurological disease. The AAN was honored to recognize her in person for her steadfast commitment to advancing neurology. West Virginia constituent and BrainPAC Executive Committee member Lauren Bojarski, DO, presented the Wiesman Award, sharing how her work to combat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias across the state has been strengthened by policy advancements championed by Senator Capito.
Past recipients of the Wiesman Award include:
- 2025: Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
- 2024: Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN)
- 2023: Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
- 2022: Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)
- 2021: Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Through this award, the AAN continues to highlight the critical role of congressional champions in advancing policies that strengthen neurological care, research, and patient outcomes.
Latest advocacy news
Physicians exempted from 39-country visa adjudication pause
In response to advocacy by the AAN and partner organizations across the house of medicine, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services updated guidance concerning the implementation of the visa adjudication pause impacting nationals from 39 countries. The updated guidance announced that visa holds have been lifted for applications associated with physicians. The AAN previously urged the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to issue a national interest exemption for the physician workforce. This updated guidance represents a promising policy reversal that will allow impacted physicians to enter, remain, and continue serving patients in the US without unnecessary delay.
AAN submits comment letters on botulinum toxin coverage policy
Several Medicare Administrative Contractors issued proposed updates to coverage policies for botulinum toxin injections last month. In addition to offering comments regarding the relatively minor proposed changes, the AAN’s letters also provided extensive comments that relay concerns pertaining to changes that were finalized earlier this year that have impacted patient access and practice sustainability. View comment letters.
What we're reading
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The Supreme Court Case That Could Slow Generic Drugs | Podcast –
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- US Visa Update: Foreign Doctors Hit by Travel Ban Given Exemption |
Past Capitol Hill Reports
2026
- April 20: Protecting neuroscience research in FY2027
- April 6: Connect with BrainPAC at the Annual Meeting
- March 23: Appropriations season for FY 2027
- March 9: Our 2026 advocacy priorities
- February 23: Standing up for neurology in Washington
- February 9: State advocacy update
- January 26: Proposed funding package includes major wins
- January 12: NINDS director’s sudden departure
2025
- December 22: A year of advocacy
- December 8: Member elevates the voice of neurology at AMA
- November 24: Government funding update
- November 10: 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule
- October 20: Joint forum on neuroscience research
- October 6: How the government shutdown affects you
- September 22: Looming government shutdown
- September 8: An important BrainPAC update
- August 25: State advocates unite on health policy challenges
- August 11: 140+ AAN members join Neurology off the Hill
- July 21: What’s in the Medicare fee schedule proposal?
- July 7: What’s in the big reconciliation bill?
- June 23: AAN member highlight
- June 9: Why member advocacy is ‘mission-critical’
- May 27: House passes reconciliation bill
- May 12: President's proposed budget
- April 21: The state of Medicare and Medicaid
- April 7: AAN president highlights advocacy
- March 24: There’s a new chance to support neuroscience
- March 10: March 14 government funding deadline
- February 24: AAN members meet in Washington, DC
- February 11: Executive branch update
- January 20: New Congress, new plan
- January 6: Congress fails to address physician priorities
2024
- December 9: Key year-end issues
- November 25: Extending telehealth flexibilities
- November 11: What could fix physician reimbursement?
- October 21: Congressional lame-duck session
- October 7: Your advocacy impact
- September 23: Brain health for all!
- September 9: AAN comments on Medicare Fee Schedule
- August 26: Physicians are essential in local advocacy
- August 12: Ask Congress to take action for telehealth
- July 22: Urge Congress to prevent proposed cut
- July 8: Advocate for neurology from your home state!
- June 24: Crucial prior authorization bill introduced in Congress
- June 10: Senate group to discuss Medicare payment reform
- May 20: 30 years of Conrad 30
- May 6: Lobbyist for a Day
- April 22: Congress considers access to care
- April 8: AAN recommends more transparency in Medicare Advantage
- March 25: AAN identifies top advocacy priorities
- March 11: Congress acts on Medicare cuts
- February 26: Could your advocacy go even further at the state level?
- February 12: Neurology on the Hill preview
- January 22: Medicare reimbursement update
- January 8: 2023 Advocacy year in review
2023
- December 11: Take Action to Prevent Damaging Reimbursement Cuts!
- November 20: AAN Members Provide Perspective at AMA Meeting
- November 6: How Will the CMS Fee Schedule Affect You?
- October 23: Reps Hear Proposal to Cut 'Red Tape'
- October 9: Participant Goes from Training to Testimony
- September 25: AAN Leaders Take the Hill
- September 11: AAN Submits Comments on 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- August 21: Proposed Code Will Help CMS Value Cognitive Care Services
- August 7: Reinforcements Are on the Way!
- July 24: AAN President Elect Testifies on New Alzheimer's Treatments
- July 10: FDA Approves Lecanemab for Alzheimer's Disease
- June 26: MACRA, Prior Authorization, and AMA Resolutions
- June 12: Debt Limit Deal Affects Dollars for Research
- May 22: Want Step Therapy Reform? Please Step Forward!
- May 8: Act Now to Protect Veteran Care, Medicare Reimbursement
- April 24: Do You Know the AAN's 2023 Advocacy Priority Issues?
- April 10: AAN Responds to Health Workforce Crisis Inquiry
- March 20: Working with CMS on Monoclonal Antibodies Coverage
- March 6: Support Your 180 Colleagues Now Advocating in DC
- February 20: Capitol Hill Report: AAN Addresses National, State Health Care Issues
- February 6: Confronting Prior Authorization Burden, End of PHE
- January 23: Advisory Committee Supports Medicare Reimbursement Increases
- January 9: Top AAN Advocacy Successes in 2022