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

March 23, 2026

Appropriations season for FY 2027

We’ve got your back on Capitol Hill—and we’re in overdrive advocating for you and your patients. A new bipartisan bill would exempt health care providers from the $100,000 H-1B visa processing fee, strengthening access to care for rural Americans. Ask your representative to co-sponsor the bill with our

Issue in focus

As the federal government’s fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027) appropriations season moves forward, we’re highlighting how the process works—and how our recent Neurology on the Hill advocacy is driving momentum for our policy priorities. 

How it works
The process begins with the appropriations committees in the House and Senate setting topline funding levels for each jurisdiction. Once that happens, members of Congress open their appropriations request forms. These forms allow constituents and advocacy organizations, like the AAN, to ask members of Congress to support specific funding levels for various federal programs.  

From there, individual members of Congress can submit three to five requests to the appropriations committee, which will consider all requests when constructing funding legislation for each federal agency. The appropriations bills are considered by the committee and then each chamber of Congress before being signed into law.  

In recent years, notable bicameral or partisan disagreements during this negotiation stage have resulted in the use of continuing resolutions to keep the government funded. Failing that, the government goes into complete or partial shutdown. 

What to know for FY 2027
The AAN is actively working to submit FY 2027 appropriations requests to support neuroscience research, including funding for the BRAIN Initiative through the Labor, Health and Human Services, ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú, and Related Agencies, and for VA Neurology Centers of Excellence through the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. 

The BRAIN Initiative is a primary funding mechanism for neuroscience research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a top priority, the AAN is working in concert with a broad community of stakeholders to request $468 million in base funding for it. This request would help offset expected losses due to the expiration of the 21^st Century Cures Act, another major mechanism for neuroscience research. This robust request will enable researchers to deepen our understanding of how the brain works—and translate those insights into novel therapies for neurological conditions. 

In response to our advocacy at Neurology on the Hill, many congressional offices have indicated their support for the BRAIN Initiative. AAN Advocacy has completed more than 60 House submissions and is working on more than 30 for the Senate to continue driving this work.  

In FY 2026, we were excited to see a $10 million increase for the VA Neurology Centers of Excellence over FY 2025 flat funding for a total funding level of $80 million across all centers. In FY 2027, we’re asking for another $10 million increase to provide sustained, robust funding. This would ensure the centers can hire staff accordingly and expand sites to provide veterans with access to specialized headache, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy Centers of Excellence. 

In addition to submitting requests for the BRAIN Initiative and the VA Neurology Centers of Excellence, AAN Advocacy is working hard to ensure robust government funding through various programs and agencies, including: 

• NIH
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
• FDA Neurology Drug Program
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) 

If you have any questions about these issues or what the AAN is doing to stand up for neuroscience research and access to neurological care, please contact us at advocacy@aan.com.   

Latest advocacy news

AAN weighs in on state bills 
The AAN recently sent advocacy letters in several states. These letters support legislation to streamline step therapy protocols and prevent delays in care for patients in Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, and Hawaii; ensure coverage for all medically necessary treatments or medications for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in California; and reduce prior authorization burdens in Arizona. 

New bill would exempt health care providers from $100K H-1B visa fee
The AAN applauded the introduction of the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act (H.R.7961) last week by Representatives Lawler (R-NY), Bishop (D-GA), Salazar (R-FL), and Clarke (D-NY). If passed, this bill would provide exemptions to the $100,000 H-1B visa processing fee imposed via the Restrictions on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers presidential proclamation. It would also place a $1,500 cap on future H-1B filing fees for these providers.

For months, the AAN has been working with the American Medical Association (AMA) and Physicians for American Healthcare Access (PAHA) to educate lawmakers on this fee’s unintended consequences for rural Americans’ access to specialized care. If you would like to join our advocacy efforts, you can urge your representatives to co-sponsor this bill by completing our  

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