Advocacy Update Mar. 18, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Mar. 18, 2025
AADA outraged that Congress passed government funding without doc fix
AADA advocates for dermatologists in CLIA lab director requirements
Medicare Physician Payment Reform
AADA outraged that Congress passed government funding without doc fix
The AADA is outraged that Congress once again passed a government funding bill that did not include relief to stop this year’s 2.8% Medicare physician payment cut despite signals that this pressing issue would be addressed. Despite resounding support from the physician community and House Democratic physician members, Congress allowed a fifth consecutive year of Medicare cuts, ignoring the disastrous impacts these cuts will have on patients and private practices struggling to keep their doors open.
On March 13, the House Democratic doctors, including Representatives Kim Schrier, MD (WA), Ami Bera, MD (CA), Herb Conaway Jr., MD (NJ), Maxine Dexter, MD (OR), Kelly Morrison, MD (MN), and Raul Ruiz, MD (CA) released a statement calling out Congressional Republicans for passing a continuing resolution without fixing the physician fee schedule cuts that went into effect at the beginning of the year. The Democratic doctors said, “Physicians and patients need immediate relief and long-term, sustainable reform to Medicare reimbursement. They deserve better than empty promises and another failed deal. We stand ready to work with our colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to substantively address this issue and provide meaningful relief to physicians and the patients they care for.”
The AADA will continue to lobby and fight to avert all Medicare decreases to dermatology payment, making this our sole 2025 federal legislative advocacy priority, and we will continue the fight for reform, but we need your help.
AADA members must take action now to tell Congress that any legislation must stop the 2025 Medicare physician payment cuts and provide physicians with an overdue inflationary update to protect seniors’ access to care. It is important that Congress hears directly from physicians to make a real change.
Regulatory Affairs
AADA advocates for dermatologists in CLIA lab director requirements
During the 2025 Annual Meeting, the Academy formed a Workgroup on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to push back against recent changes that exclude dermatologists from qualifying as CLIA lab directors.
Under these new requirements, board certification in dermatology was excluded as meeting the criteria for directors of moderate and complex labs, creating unnecessary barriers for qualified dermatologists.
In response, the Academy urged CMS and the CDC to recognize board certification in dermatology by either the American Board of Dermatology or American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
The Academy recently called for regulatory changes, emphasizing the critical role dermatologists play in laboratory oversight and patient care.
The AADA is working to secure a meeting with CMS to ensure dermatologists can continue to serve as lab directors without additional obstacles.
Regulatory Affairs
FDA testing confirms minimal benzene in most benzoyl peroxide acne products, some voluntary recalls issued
Following advocacy from the Academy, the FDA released results from its testing of 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products for potential benzene contamination. The findings, published on March 11, confirm that more than 90% of tested products contained undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene. However, some products did show elevated levels, leading to voluntary recalls.
The agency’s testing follows third-party reports that raised concerns about benzene contamination in certain benzoyl peroxide products. Recognizing the widespread use of these treatments in acne management, the AADA urged the FDA to investigate the findings and provide transparency to dermatologists.
While the FDA’s results provide important reassurance, AADA remains committed to ensuring dermatologists and patients have access to safe and effective treatments.
AADA News
Add your voice and become an AADA Advocacy Key Contact
Are you looking to bring your advocacy efforts to the next level? Consider becoming an AADA Advocacy Key Contact.
AADA Advocacy Key Contacts are grassroots advocates who foster relationships with their lawmakers and help to tell the story of how healthcare policies impact patients and physicians every day.
Advocacy Key Contacts receive resources and support from AADA staff. They are a trusted resource for their elected officials on policy issues affecting dermatologists and the specialty. Check out the Advocacy Key Contact program for more information.
Already have a relationship with your Member of Congress? Let AADA staff know by emailing grassroots@aad.org
AADA News
Support dermatology Congressional champions through SkinPAC
As of March 13, SkinPAC has raised $530,482 from 524 individuals. SkinPAC is now the second largest specialty physician political action committee and continues to strengthen our relationships on Capitol Hill.
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.
