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

December 8, 2025

Member elevates the voice of neurology at AMA

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, so keep reading and sharing to stay up to date. Plus, we want to hear from you: Let us know if your practice, research, or patients are affected by recent policy changes.

Act now on telehealth extensions! 

and ask them to support the CONNECT for Health Act (/), which would make telehealth permanent. 

Issue in focus

Early in November, AAN member Daniel Lee, MD, attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting, where he represented neurology and helped elevate the voice of neurologists at the national level. In conjunction with the AAN delegation to the AMA, Lee collaborated with physicians across the AMA to reinforce the importance of robust neurological research funding, improvements to the Physician Fee Schedule, and updated guidance around brain death policy.

The AMA meeting is critical for developing advocacy initiatives across medicine, and the AAN played a significant role this year in offering necessary feedback. Notably, a resolution involving standardizing brain death policies was brought forward to the AMA House of Delegates, where the AAN defended the autonomy of physicians and scientists regarding the standardization of brain death procedures rather than a non-medical entity developing these policies. The delegation worked in concert with the Society for Critical Care Medicine to protect this duty from undue influence from non-medical players. 

Additionally, the delegation voiced support for many critical issues that came to the AMA House of Delegates. Examples included support for protecting the visa process for international medical graduates, as well as protecting access to adequate loans for medical students. Furthermore, the AAN spoke in support of preserving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which has faced significant scrutiny from the Department of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. “The importance of our voice cannot be understated,” Lee said. “Despite being a smaller delegation, our voice is loud and influential. Many members of our delegation have gone on to lead influential committees within the AMA. One of our members, Dr. Shannon Kilgore, will go on to be the Chair of the AMA Council on Medical ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú this upcoming year, and I cannot be more excited to see what she accomplishes.” 

Lee and the AAN delegation’s efforts demonstrate the significant impact that our members can have across the field of medicine. Being able to shape advocacy efforts across organizations to form a united front is critical to the success of improving the health care system for physicians and patients. Lee encourages AAN members to join the AMA, as the issues each organization fights for are often similar. 

 
Latest advocacy news

CMS releases proposed updates impacting Medicare Advantage and Part D plans
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released proposed updates late last month impacting Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. The AAN is currently reviewing the proposed rule’s impacts on neurological practice and neurology patients and plans to submit comments in response to key provisions. 

AAN signs onto multi-specialty letter addressing concerns on the Written Informed Consent Act
The AAN signed onto a multi-specialty letter last week addressing concerns on the Written Informed Consent Act () ahead of a VA Committee Hearing on Medication Management. At present, the VA’s informed consent policy requires written consent for treatments and procedures involving significant risks, including certain psychiatric and pain management medications. If passed, this bill would require a new, separate written consent process for nearly all psychotropic drugs, creating administrative burdens that would delay veterans’ access to timely treatments. 

AAN promotes telehealth legislation to leaders in Congress
The AAN sent a letter to congressional leadership last week highlighting concerns about the lengthy lapse in telehealth flexibilities caused by the government shutdown. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, telehealth transformed the health care landscape and served as a vital lifeline for patients who face barriers to in-person care. To ensure that telehealth extensions are no longer tied to annual appropriations and to safeguard seniors' access to essential medical services, Congress must pass the CONNECT for Health Act (/) before the January 30 appropriations deadline. If passed, this legislation would permanently extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities and protect access to audio-only telehealth visits. 

Bill would limit prior authorizations for Medicare Advantage, Part D plans 
The AAN also sent a letter of support last week to Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) for introducing the Patient Access and Authorization Reform Act (). This legislation seeks to limit prescription drug prior authorizations in Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Part D plans to once per year for patients with autoimmune or blood disorders. Utilization management tools such as prior authorization can be increasingly time-consuming, and delays in approvals can lead to issues such as clinical deterioration and increasing costs on the overall health care system. The AAN is closely monitoring utilization management reform and continues to work with members of Congress to pass comprehensive legislative solutions. 

What we're reading

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