AAPM Advocacy Update
Growing Our Voice to Protect Patients and Advance Pain Policy
The American Academy of Pain Medicine continues to advocate for policies that protect patient access, preserve the physician workforce, and advance the future of pain research. Our unified efforts to date this year have already shaped key outcomes in ongoing federal legislation, and our voice continues to grow stronger through collaboration and action.
A Win for Medicare Payment Reform
AAPM was part of a coalition of 75 medical organizations that came together to advocate for essential Medicare payment protections in the Senate’s budget reconciliation package. Our joint letter played a crucial role in reinstating a payment provision that was at risk of being cut. Although the Senate version is more limited than the House bill, our collective advocacy, led in part by Senators Roger Marshall, MD, and Bill Cassidy, MD, ensured that this provision was preserved. Learn More Here.
Medicaid Cuts Raise Alarms
Despite this success, the legislation still included several proposals that were concerning and threatened Medicaid access and provider viability. These include:
- Work requirements and eligibility restrictions for Medicaid beneficiaries
- Caps on provider tax rates and reduced state flexibility in setting Medicaid payment rates
These provisions disproportionately affect rural hospitals and underserved communities, despite the proposed $25 billion rural hospital support fund.
Support for NIH Pain Research
AAPM joined a broad coalition of over 50 organizations urging Congress to protect and sustain funding for the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative and other pain research programs. Robust federal support for pain research is essential to drive innovation and deliver better treatments for the millions of Americans living with chronic pain. View the letter to Congress here.
Ensuring Timely Access to Pain Interventions
AAPM also joined leading medical societies in advocating for policy changes to improve patient access to early treatment for vertebral compression fractures. Early intervention with balloon kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs. The Multisociety letter was sent to Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee, BCBS HCSC (IL, NM, TX, OK, MT), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Blue Shield of California, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (MD), Cigna Healthcare, Elevance, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Florida Blue, Horizon Healthcare New Jersey, Premera BlueCross, United Health Care, and UPMC Health Plan. View the BKP Treatments Letter.
Join our Efforts to Protect Patient Access to Care: Volunteer with the AAPM Pain Medicine Policy Committee
AAPM is expanding its Pain Medicine Policy Committee, and we need your expertise.
We are seeking members with experience in interventional pain medicine, chronic pain management, acute pain management, integrative medicine, pain and rehabilitation, and substance use disorder. If you’re passionate about shaping national policy and advocating for your patients and profession, we invite you to join our advocacy leadership. To volunteer or learn more, contact us at info@painmed.org or complete this volunteer form and select the Pain Medicine Policy Committee.
