Capitol Hill Report: State advocates unite on health policy challenges
August 25, 2025
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
State legislative activity can be key for neurology advocacy, and the AAN is committed to working with members and partner organizations to track important state-level issues. We recently participated in the American Medical Association’s State Advocacy Roundtable, an annual event that brings together physicians and state medical societies from across the country. Participants engaged in candid conversations about the most pressing health policy challenges of 2025—and prepared for what 2026 may bring.
The roundtable centered on emerging state issues and strategies to address them, with discussions spanning prior authorization reform, scope of practice, combating the opioid epidemic, physician wellness, artificial intelligence (AI) in health care, and the policy implications of H.R. 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”). Each of these areas has seen significant legislative activity in 2025, and leaders anticipate even more in the years ahead as statehouses continue to be flooded with legislation. Prior authorization reform stood out as a top priority, with nearly 20 states passing reforms this year—many with strong AAN support. Notably, states like Arizona and Texas have passed bills prohibiting the use of AI to deny prior authorizations, an emerging trend the AAN is watching closely as it gains momentum heading into 2026.
State-level policy work remains critically important, with thousands of bills introduced each year that directly affect neurologists and the patients they serve. To stay connected, follow #AANadvocacy on social media and visit the AAN’s comment letter page for the latest state activity. Interested in making a direct impact at the state level? Consider joining the AAN’s Political Outreach for Neurological Support (PONS) network today or reach out to AAN state advocacy staff at advocacy@aan.com for more information on AAN priority issues in your state.
Latest advocacy news
AAN members learn advocacy skills, make action plans
The 2025 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum was held August 7–10. The 30 advocates learned skills in media and communication, leadership, and grassroots legislative advocacy. Action plan topics included informed consent for gene therapies, increasing access to autism research, and improving rural stroke care. The program now has 652 graduates since 2003.
What we're reading
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North Carolina to cut Medicaid provider reimbursement rates by 3% ()
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Epic unveils AI solutions for clinicians, patients and RCM, gives sneak peek at Cosmos AI for risk prediction ()
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When Patient Access to Results Complicates Care (Op-Ed, )