Capitol Hill Report
Advocacy
Read the Academy's bi-weekly update on legislative and regulatory advocacy for neurology.
May 12, 2025
President’s proposed budget
We want to make sure you know we have your back. We’re actively responding, relentlessly pushing forward, and ensuring your voice is heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill. Please keep reading Capitol Hill Report—and tell your colleagues—for a rundown of how your AAN is in overdrive advocating on your behalf. We’re analyzing and monitoring all changes made by Congress and the administration to evaluate any impacts on neurology and the patients we serve. If your practice, research, or patients have been impacted by recent changes at the federal or state level, please let us know by emailing advocacy@aan.com.
Issue in focus
The AAN is aware of pending legislation in Congress that could impact Medicaid and Medicare. Once we analyze the full proposal, we will communicate any relevant information to AAN members and give you the necessary tools to take action and defend patient access.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration released its proposed budget for FY26. The document is submitted to Congress and outlines the administration’s priorities and funding requests for the upcoming fiscal year. This version of the budget does not contain specific line-item funding for individual agencies but does provide an explanatory statement on proposed funding levels. The FY26 budget proposed by the administration contains significant cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It’s important to note that this budget cannot be imposed without action from Congress. Any cuts to funding for federal agencies must be approved through the appropriations process for FY26, which is not likely to be finalized until the end of the year.
The proposed budget includes a 26% cut to discretionary funding at HHS, with a nearly $18 billion cut to funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While the budget does not include specific monetary cuts to the institutes at NIH, it does propose that the 27 institutes be consolidated into eight. Notably for neurology, it states that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) should be consolidated with the National Eye Institute and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to create a new Neuroscience and Brain Research Institute. There are also significant cuts to other HHS agencies. Notably, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are both fully cut, with many of their functions absorbed into a new office at HHS.
The Academy has already weighed in with appropriators in the Senate and House, asking them to support robust funding levels for federally supported neuroscience research. We also recently participated in a fly-in, organized by the American Brain Coalition in conjunction with other organizations such as the Society for Neuroscience, American Neurological Association, and others, to support continued funding for the BRAIN Initiative. The appropriations process is still taking place at the subcommittee level, with no proposed bills put forward for any federal agencies. The AAN will continue to underscore the importance of funding neuroscience research with lawmakers in Washington, DC.
Further, any consolidations to agencies that are codified in statute need to be authorized by Congress. This cannot be done through the appropriations process, which provides funding levels but cannot authorize the creation or elimination of new entities in the federal government. That must be done by a separate piece of legislation, which would need to be considered by the committees with jurisdiction over the agency and then voted on by the full House and Senate.
The president’s budget rarely passes the appropriations process without significant adjustments. That said, the AAN will continue to fiercely advocate to Congress on behalf of our members and the patients you serve and continue to educate policymakers about the importance of neuroscience research. To advance this effort, we will keep working with our partners across medicine in support of robust neuroscience research funding, including through adequate support for appropriate indirect costs associated with biomedical research.
If you have any questions about the proposed budget and how it may affect your practice and patients, please contact us at advocacy@aan.com.
Latest advocacy news
President Trump signs executive order for new drug pricing policy
President Trump signed an executive order today intending to lower drug prices by implementing a Most Favored Nation policy, which aims to limit drug prices to those paid in other countries with similar economies. The AAN is currently reviewing this policy for its impact on patient access and sustainability of neurological practice. A similar policy was proposed, but ultimately not implemented, during the first Trump administration, and the AAN submitted a comment letter raising concerns that implementation of the proposed model may impact sustainability of neurological practice.
State advocacy win! Arkansas enacts Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Arkansas is now the 43rd state to enact the (IMLC), streamlining the path for neurologists to practice across state lines. This victory improves access to neurology care in rural Arkansas and reflects the AAN’s long-standing advocacy for the IMLC since its inception.
AAN submits letter supporting robust neuroscience research funding
The AAN recently submitted a letter to congressional leadership urging strong federal investment in neuroscience research in the FY26 appropriations process. The letter emphasizes the critical role that sustained, bipartisan funding plays in advancing scientific breakthroughs and improving outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.
AAN submits requests for information from the Office of Management and Budget
The AAN submitted responses last week to two Requests for Information (RFIs) from the Office of Management and Budget and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These agencies sought input from stakeholders on regulations that can be repealed in an effort to achieve the president’s goal of deregulating burdensome administrative requirements. The AAN is recommending that a number of policies be modified or rescinded, including policies relating to prior authorization, step therapy, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Program (MIPS), and the National Institutes of Health Public Access Policy.
AAN joins sign-on letter opposing the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act
The AAN recently joined a sign-on letter, led by the American Medical Association (AMA), opposing the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (S.106/H.R.539). This bill would allow chiropractors to use the title “physician” under Medicare Part B and grant them the ability to bill for services beyond manipulation of the spine.
What we're reading
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Past Capitol Hill Reports
2025
- 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