Northfield, Ill. (January 21, 2025) — The College of American Pathologists (CAP) outlined its top health care priority issues in a communication to President Donald J. Trump and leaders of the 119th Congress to help pathologists and laboratories improve patient care and meet challenges in the new year.
The CAP said it looks forward to collaborating with the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress to enhance the nation’s health care system by addressing six critical policy and regulatory issues impacting the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services:
- Streamline Laboratory Regulations and Reduce Administrative Burden
Rescind the Food and Drug Administration’s arbitrary and capricious Final Rule on laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and ensure patient access to critical diagnostic tests using a risk-based regulatory framework for LDTs and focused updates to existing regulations.
- Ensure Sustainable, Appropriate Reimbursement for Pathology and Laboratory Services
Stabilize the Medicare payment system to protect access to essential pathology services and mitigate cuts that threaten laboratory operations.
- Strengthen the Pathology and Laboratory Workforce
Address critical workforce shortages by expanding physician training programs and the number of federally supported training slots for pathologists to meet growing patient care demands and the health care needs of an aging population.
- Increase Competition and Oversight in Private Payor Health Insurance
Promote fair insurance practices by ensuring network adequacy, prohibiting anticompetitive contracts, and supporting locally coordinated care.
- Finalize Protections Around Surprise Billing and Price Transparency
Streamline billing dispute processes and implement good faith estimate requirements to protect patients and ensure fair physician reimbursement.
- Ensure Appropriate Regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Support innovation and patient safety in laboratory AI applications while maintaining the critical leadership role of pathologists in clinical decision-making.
Next Steps
The CAP said it would welcome the opportunity to partner with the Trump Administration to advance these priorities in the months ahead. The CAP suggested scheduling a meeting between CAP leadership and key members of the Administration’s health policy team as a critical first step toward addressing these issues.
Read the communication to the Administration and Congress.
About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, visit the CAP Newsroom, CAP.org and yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care.
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