Capitol Hill Report
Advocacy
Read the Academy's bi-weekly update on legislative and regulatory advocacy for neurology.
October 20, 2025
Joint forum on neuroscience research
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.
Issue in focus
AAN and SfN joint virtual forum: Neuroscience research in times of uncertainty
Brain health for all is our mission—but we can’t complete it without robust federal funding for neuroscience research. This research is essential for advancing science, improving patient care, and sustaining the future of neuroscience and neurology. The process that determines its federal funding, however, can be complex and unpredictable.
Strong, coordinated advocacy is necessary to support robust research funding. To engage our members and lead on this issue, the AAN is hosting a joint virtual forum with the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) on Thursday, October 30, at 3:30 p.m. CT to discuss the importance of federal funding to neuroscience research and explain how our members can best influence the federal appropriations process.
This virtual forum will help participants:
- Understand why federal funding matters for research and patient outcomes
- Learn how the federal appropriations process works and understand the implications of a lapse in funding or a government shutdown
- Explore proven advocacy strategies and identify practical ways they can take action to strengthen support for science
Hear insights from AAN President Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA; SfN President John Morrison, PhD; AAN Science Committee Chair Paul M. George, MD, PhD, MSE, FAAN; AAN Advocacy Committee Vice Chair Justin T. Jordan, MD, MPH, FAAN; and SfN Government and Public Affairs Committee Chair Diane Lipscomb, PhD. The session will end with a moderated Q&A to connect participants directly with advocacy leaders.
for this event. If you have any questions, please email us at advocacy@aan.com.
Latest advocacy news
Join us for Neurology on the Hill!
It’s that time of the year again to apply to join the AAN in Washington, DC, for our annual fly-in. Neurology on the Hill will take place February 22 to 24, 2026—and we need neurologists from around the country to lend their voices. Apply now, or encourage your colleagues to apply, to advocate on behalf of your patients and profession. Learn more.
Share your story on the government shutdown and telehealth lapse
The AAN is collecting stories from our members about how the government shutdown and the lapse in telehealth flexibilities are affecting you and your patients. Please email us to share your story today.
Application deadline is tomorrow for AAN awards
Apply for AAN awards by Tuesday, October 21, for the chance to be recognized at the Annual Meeting. With more than 60 prestigious opportunities available in scientific research, neurology education, quality, practice, health equity, and more, there’s an award for everyone. New for 2026 are three awards for advanced practice providers. In particular, make sure to check out the Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, Patient Advocate of the Year Award.
New guidance on Medicare claims amid telehealth lapse
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued new guidance to Medicare Administrative Contractors, instructing them to hold claims for services provided on or after October 1 that are impacted by the expiration of telehealth flexibilities due to the government shutdown. For all other services, Medicare claims will continue to be processed and paid. To learn more about the impact of the shutdown, please visit the AAN’s shutdown resources page. To urge your members of Congress to extend crucial telehealth flexibilities, please visit our
What we're reading
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FDA Clears First Blood Test Used in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease ()
- Musk’s Neuralink submits brain implant patient data to journal ()
- Prescription Drug Coverage Options Are Shrinking for Medicare Shoppers ()
Past Capitol Hill Reports
2025
- 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
2022
- December 23: Congress Enacts Bill with Key Advocacy Wins
- December 12: AAN Monitoring Lecanemab for Alzheimer's Disease
- November 21: How the Midterms Will Impact Neurology
- November 7: Advocacy Strengthens Neurology—Join Us!
- October 24: Urge Senate to Act on Medicare Payment Stability
- October 10: Get Involved in Neurology Advocacy
- September 26: Physician Lawmakers Seek to Stem Medicare Reductions
- September 12: AAN Comments on Proposed 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- August 22: Administration Outlines Federal Response to Long COVID
- August 8: Congress Makes Progress on Neurology Issues
- July 25: AAN Urges Congress to Focus on Long COVID; Joined by 75 Organizations
- July 11: CMS Proposes Changes to Telehealth, E/M, QPP, More
- June 20: AAN Input Helps Shape AMA Policies
- June 6: Congressional Support Grows for Key AAN Legislation.
- May 23: It's Time for Neurology on the Hill!
- May 9: Focus Is on Three Issues for Neurology on the Hill
- April 25: Pushing Congress for More
- April 11: Congress Addressing AAN Priorities
- March 21: AAN Active on Legislation, Research Funding
- March 7: Members Make Their Advocacy Priorities Clear
- February 21: Legislation on Prior Authorization Gains Support
- February 7: Loosened Telehealth Policies in Peril
- January 24: COVID-19 Vaccinations, Aducanumab, and More
- January 10: Improving Care for Veterans With Neurological Conditions