Advocacy Update Mar. 11, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Mar. 11, 2025
Dermatologists urged Utah Senate to oppose dental hygienist use of Botox
Rachel Kyllo, MD, FAAD honored as 2025 AADA Advocate of the Year
Medicare Physician Payment Reform
Academy, physician community demand that Congressional funding includes Medicare cut — contact your legislator now
The AADA joined the American Medical Association, American College of Radiology (ACR) and American College of Surgeons (ACS), including more than 100 other physician and non-physician groups, calling on congressional leadership to address Medicare reimbursement cuts that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, before the March 14 funding deadline. Both the ACR (PDF) and the ACS (PDF) sent letters to Congress, which the Academy supported, expressing their frustration and disappointment that a mitigated cut may not be included in the final funding package.
The letters demanded that Congress include H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, in the upcoming federal funding legislation expected to be acted upon in mid-March. Currently, the federal government is operating on a continuing resolution that expires on March 14, 2025. A bipartisan deal that included numerous health care policies, including addressing 2.5% of the 2.83% cut, fell through at the end of last year due to opposition by the then-incoming Trump Administration. H.R. 879 would reverse that 2.83% cut and provide a 2% inflationary update.
The Academy encourages our members to contact your federal legislator and ask them to support H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act before Thursday, March 13, so it can be included in the final federal funding legislation.
Regulatory Affairs
Academy opposes HIPAA security rule changes
The AADA opposed modifications to the HIPAA Security Rule (PDF) that would strengthen the cybersecurity of electronic Protected Health Information, citing concerns over increased compliance burdens. The proposed modifications to the HIPAA Security rule would significantly increase administrative burdens on dermatologists.
While acknowledging cyber threats, the rule would impose excessive administrative and financial strain, especially on small and solo practices.
The Academy warned that implementing the rule’s technical requirements would further burden physicians already facing Medicare payment cuts.
The AADA urged HHS to withdraw the proposal and adopt a more practical approach that strengthens cybersecurity without disrupting clinical care.
State Advocacy
Dermatologists urged Utah Senate to oppose dental hygienist use of Botox
The AADA asked Utah dermatologists to urge the Utah Senate to oppose legislation that would authorize dental hygienists to administer botulinum toxin with only indirect supervision from a dentist. Unfortunately, the bill passed the House and Senate on March 7.
The AADA will continue working with the Utah dermatologists at the regulatory level to limit dental hygienists in their ability to administer botulinum toxin with limited supervision.
Regulatory Affairs
Academy, AMA urge NIH to repeal indirect grant cost cap
The Academy, along with the American Medical Association and more than 45 organizations in the medical community asked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to oppose the 15% cap on indirect costs for grants (PDF).
This policy threatens research sustainability, increases administrative burdens, and jeopardizes clinical trials and biomedical research.
In the letter, the group stated that, “the collateral damage of this policy, if implemented, will be profound and generational, reshaping the future of scientific progress in ways that cannot be easily undone. Beyond its immediate financial strain, the policy introduces significant procedural and structural issues that undermine the integrity of federal research funding.”
Specifically, it limits institutions’ ability to recover indirect costs, forcing them to absorb expenses they cannot sustain. The letter urges the NIH to rescind this policy to ensure continued research sustainability and maintain the U.S. as a leader in medical innovation.
AADA News
Rachel Kyllo, MD, FAAD honored as 2025 AADA Advocate of the Year
President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, presented Dr. Kyllo the award at the SkinPAC Reception in Orlando.
Dr. Kyllo is a member of the Academy’s Advisory Board and of the SkinPAC Board of Advisors. She has been active in advocacy efforts on behalf of dermatology nationally as an annual attendee of the AADA Legislative Conference and in her home state of Missouri through the state medical society.
AADA News
Support dermatology congressional champions through SkinPAC
As of March 6, SkinPAC has raised $407,525 from 405 individuals. SkinPAC helps strengthen our relationships on Capitol Hill and reinforces our grassroots and lobbying efforts.
Contribute online at www.skinpac.org or by texting SkinPAC to 71777. Email skinpac@aad.org with any questions.
The political purpose of the American Academy of Dermatology Association Political Action Committee ("SkinPAC") is to solicit and receive contributions to be used to make political campaign expenditures to those candidates for elective office, and other federal political committees, who demonstrate understanding and interest in the view and goals of the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Contributions to SkinPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to SkinPAC must be made from your funds and may not be reimbursed. SkinPAC cannot accept contributions from corporate accounts. Any recommended contribution amount is merely a suggestion. All AADA members have the right to contribute more or less or refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits us from accepting contributions from foreign nationals. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, physical address, occupation, and name of the employer whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.
