Advocacy Update Sept. 9, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Sept. 9, 2025
Members speak up for Medicare physician payment reform at 2025 Legislative Conference
AADA meets with CMS to advance Medicare payment reform and patient access
Medicare physician payment reform
Members speak up for Medicare physician payment reform at 2025 Legislative Conference
Today, members met with their federal legislators to advocate for Medicare payment reform that includes a positive annual inflation update and elimination of budget neutrality requirements.
The Conference kicked off with AADA President Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, expressing the Academy’s continued commitment to Medicare physician payment reform and encouraged members to participate in Academy advocacy efforts throughout the year. The Academy hosted a mentorship connection to help young physicians understand the importance of advocacy for their practices.
NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson shared an overview of the current legislative and political landscape and its impact on industries other than health care. The speech provided an outside perspective on the current DC environment, and the question-and-answer session provided a lively discussion.
Medicare physician payment reform
AADA meets with CMS to advance Medicare payment reform and patient access
AADA President Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, met with a senior official at CMS to discuss Medicare physician payment reform and other issues important to dermatology.
We raised four key points during the meeting. First, the Academy emphasized the need to work with Congress on broader Medicare payment reform. Second, we thanked CMS for issuing enforcement discretion on CLIA regulations and urged them to move quickly with rulemaking to clarify that board-certified dermatologists are qualified to serve as CLIA lab directors. Third, we called for MIPS reform — specifically, reducing overly burdensome reporting requirements. And fourth, we advocated for improved patient access to prescription drugs by requiring faster decision timelines for prior authorization requests, extending recent prior authorization reforms to prescription drugs, and ensuring all processes are evidence-based and developed by independent experts.
Overall, CMS was receptive to the Academy’s concerns, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and signaled a willingness to continue the dialogue.
AADA News
Support SkinPAC
As of Sept. 4, SkinPAC has raised $833,038 from 755 individuals. Contribute online at www.skinpac.org or by texting SkinPAC to 71777.
Help us keep up the momentum as we advocate for Medicare physician payment reform! SkinPAC helps strengthen our relationships on Capitol Hill and reinforces our grassroots and lobbying efforts.
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.
