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Read the Academy's bi-weekly update on legislative and regulatory advocacy for neurology.

May 25, 2026

Our efforts to address prior authorization burden

We’ve got your back on Capitol Hill—and we’re in overdrive advocating for you and your patients. The Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act is under 10 co-sponsors away from being considered for a vote. Ask your representative to co-sponsor the bill with our

Issue in focus

One of the top priorities for AAN advocacy in 2026 is to address prior authorization burden, which creates significant access to care challenges for neurology patients and strains practices through burdensome documentation requirements. The AAN is working to drive progress in the halls of Congress, within the federal regulatory agencies, and in state legislatures. 

Recently published data highlights the significant impact of prior authorization on patient care and the health care system, with 79 percent of physicians reporting that prior authorization requirements have led to treatment abandonment, and 26 percent indicating that prior authorization has contributed to serious adverse events for patients, including hospitalization, permanent impairment, disability, or death. Additionally, 89 percent of physicians described the administrative burden associated with prior authorization as extremely high, with physicians completing an average of 40 prior authorizations per week, requiring approximately 13 hours to process. 

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed rulemaking aimed at reining in how a number of payers regulated by the agency implement prior authorization protocols for medications. This builds on the progress made when CMS finalized crucial guardrails in 2024 including defined decision timeframes and communications and the implementation of electronic prior authorization requirements for procedures. Over the last several years, the AAN has been advocating that these protections be extended to include medications. The AAN is currently working to finalize its comments and will be submitting them in advance of the deadline. Additionally, CMS has continued its work to convene stakeholders voluntarily around prior authorization reform and recently announced that 29 health care organizations, including health systems, electronic health record developers, physician practices, networks, and digital health developers have joined a newly established Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration initiative to address key challenges and drive solutions ahead of implementation of key regulatory requirements. 

In Congress, the AAN has been a staunch supporter of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This bill, which has been reintroduced over several sessions of Congress, would place some guardrails around prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans. Due to advocacy efforts from AAN members and other physician organizations, this bill is now under 10 co-sponsors away from being considered for a vote in the House of Representatives. With one more push from our advocates, we can get this bill passed and help lessen the burden of prior authorization for neurologists and the patients they serve. Use our to write to your member of Congress today.  

The AAN is also very active at the state level on this issue. After making significant progress on this topic last year, we continue to educate lawmakers across the country on the need for further reform. These include efforts to reduce the burden of prior authorization in Kansas and Arizona and efforts in Hawaii and Florida to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence in prior authorization determinations without human review. We will continue engaging with legislative champions to emphasize the importance of passage of these bills. 

Latest advocacy news

AAN sends letter on HEADACHE Act introduction 
The AAN recently sent a letter to Representatives Trahan (MA-03) and Fitzpatrick (PA-01) thanking them for the introduction of the HEADACHE Act (H.R. 5536). This bill would establish a National Headache Disorders Initiative to improve headache care and research.  
 
AAN reviewing request for information from the Food and Drug Administration 
The AAN is currently reviewing a recently released request for information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning priorities for drug repurposing for unmet medical needs. The FDA has identified neurodegenerative and rare disease as areas for prioritization. The AAN plans to submit comments aimed at promoting evidence-based patient access to therapy. 

AAN joins over 400 other organizations in support of CDC, NIH, and NIJ funding to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention
The AAN has signed along with other national, state, and local medical, public health, and research organizations write to request $35 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), $25 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and $1 million for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention.

House Ways & Means Committee holds markup of key physician payment reform legislation
In a win for AAN advocacy, the House Ways & Means committee positively reported the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R.8163). This bill updates the threshold for budget neutrality triggers in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and allows CMS to recapture funds lost due to overestimates of new codes in the fee schedule. The AAN joined the AMA in sending a letter of support on this bill to Congress in advance of the hearing.

House Ways & Means Committee advances pharmacist scope of practice bill
In the same markup, the House Ways & Means Committee advanced the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (H.R.3164). This bill, which allows pharmacists to bill Medicare for certain evaluation and management services previously billed solely by physicians, was opposed by the AAN. The Academy previously joined the AMA in sending a letter of opposition on this bill and we will continue to advocate for a physician-led care team.

What we're reading

• 1 of RFK Jr.’s biggest fans in the Senate wants Bill Cassidy’s job |
• In Search of a New FDA Commissioner | Podcast –
• Doctors Skeptical of Insurers Pledges to Rein in Prior Authorization |