Advocacy News

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) modified previous years' recommendations but still recognizes the need for an annual payment update.

Certain states are resuming legislative business in the second year of a two-year legislative session. These scope bills have rolled over into the new year.

K. David Epley, MD, chair of the Surgical Scope Fund Committee, talks about how you can make a difference with your state lawmakers.

Thanks to persistent Academy advocacy, CMS is keeping 2026 MIPS changes minimal while the IRIS Registry maintains its data registry status — protecting you from increased burden as you work to maximize your quality scores.

Stay updated with the latest information on threats to safe eye surgery in New Hampshire.

The court invalidated an optometry board rule granting optometrists authority to perform eyelid surgery, citing failure to follow required scope of practice review process.

Safe eye surgery could be challenged in as many as 34 states next year. That is two-thirds of the nation. See our map of states that are at risk in 2026 for dangerous scope of practice initiatives.

As the Academy fights to halt harmful Medicare policies, President Michal X. Repka sent a letter requesting a meeting with CMS leadership to get in front of future rulemaking and protect patient access to specialty care.

The Academy’s team of health policy experts have analyzed finalized Medicare policies slated to begin Jan. 1, 2026, and outline the details of the most controversial policies. We are running out of time for Congress to act and stop these policies from harming your patients. Act today.

The final rule could affect about 4,000 hospital outpatient departments and 6,000 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).