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

November 24, 2025

Government funding update

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! 

Without hearing from constituents like you, Congress is unlikely to pass a permanent extension to telehealth. and let your members of Congress know they need to support a permanent extension of telehealth and ensure that patients with neurological conditions can access the care they need. 

Issue in focus

Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR)—a type of short-term funding bill—this month for FY26 appropriations, allowing the government to reopen and continue deliberations on the remaining appropriations bills until January 30, 2026. 

Included in this CR are extensions for specific programs such as Medicare telehealth flexibilities and the Conrad 30 program. Three appropriations bills were also included: Military Construction & Veterans Affairs (MilCon VA), Legislative Branch, and Agriculture. As part of the FY26 MilCon VA appropriations bill, the AAN was proud to secure a 15% increase in funding for the VA Neurology Centers of Excellence for a total of $80 million. 

As for the appropriations bills yet to be passed, the CR will maintain FY25 funding levels while deliberations continue. The AAN will be keeping a close eye on funding negotiations prior to the CR's expiration on January 30, especially pertaining to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú appropriations bill, and Medicare telehealth flexibilities. 

We know the lapse in telehealth flexibilities created significant confusion for AAN members and the patients you serve. We’re reaching out to congressional leadership, making it clear that such lapses are unacceptable—and strongly advocating for a permanent extension. If you haven't yet, please illustrating how this lapse in telehealth flexibilities has affected you and your patients. Legislators need to hear from you to understand how inaction on this issue affects their constituents. 

If you have any questions about the end of the government shutdown or want to know more about how the AAN is strongly advocating for neurology, please contact us at advocacy@aan.com.  

 
Latest advocacy news

AAN responds to CDC website changes on vaccines and autism
The AAN strongly opposes the CDC’s decision to update its website regarding vaccines causing autism. The CDC’s website now reads: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.” This statement and related information on the updated website represent a concerning reversal from the CDC’s longstanding position, and the AAN is calling on the CDC to revert to its prior guidance. The AAN sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in response to earlier HHS announcements regarding the causes of autism spectrum disorders in children, and will continue to advocate for evidence-based guidance from the CDC.

AAN joins letter on WISeR Model
The AAN joined a stakeholder letter this month applauding the House Appropriations Committee for unanimously adopting an amendment that would halt funding for implementation of the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, and ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú appropriations bill. The WISeR Model would plan to utilize artificial intelligence to introduce prior authorization into Medicare Fee-for-Service. The letter urges the committee to keep working with appropriate stakeholders to ensure implementation of WISeR is minimally disruptive to clinical practice.

Organizations urge Elevance Health to rescind new policy
The AAN also joined a stakeholder letter this month to Elevance Health regarding a recently announced policy that would penalize in-network hospitals when out-of-network physicians provide care. The letter urges Elevance Health to immediately rescind this policy, which essentially circumvents the No Surprises Act, harms the financial viability of independent physicians, and affects access to care.

AAN asks Congress not to interfere with efficiency adjustment
The AAN sent a letter last week urging Congress not to interfere with the implementation of the Efficiency Adjustment, a new policy in the FY26 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. If Congress chooses to alter the implementation of this new policy, it would result in a cut to the conversion factor and impact payments for all Medicare services.

AAN delegation secures significant addition to AMA brain death policy
The American Medical Association (AMA) held its interim meeting of the House of Delegates last week in National Harbor, Maryland. The AAN sent a delegation of ten members and residents to the meeting to advocate for neurology and the patients we serve. Our delegation, working with delegations from critical care medicine, primary care, and neurosurgery, was able to secure a significant addition to AMA policy on the topic of brain death. The AMA has now been directed to develop model hospital policy to help ensure a unified brain death determination process for systems across the country. The AAN will continue to work with the AMA as it develops this policy.  

What we're reading

• NIH funding cuts have impacted more than 74,000 people enrolled in trials: Report |

• FDA’s Plan To Boost Biosimilar Drugs Could Stall at the Patent Office |