FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON February 22, 2024
Neurologists to Ask Lawmakers for Improved Access to Care at Neurology on the Hill
Support of Safe Step Act, Brain Research and Addressing Medicare Cuts Among Asks
MINNEAPOLIS – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will hold its 22nd annual “Neurology on the Hill” February 25-27, 2024. The event will include 193 neurologists representing 47 states who will meet with federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Neurologists will ask lawmakers to improve access to care for people with neurologic conditions such as migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and epilepsy with support of the Safe Step Act [S. 652/H.R. 2630]. Step therapy is when an insurance company requires a person to try a less expensive medication before they can be prescribed a medication their physician has determined would better treat their condition. This can mean delayed access to the most effective treatment. “Decreasing barriers is essential in ensuring people with neurologic conditions receive the appropriate care in a timely manner,” said American Academy of Neurology President Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN. “Step therapy protocols often cause delays in care and do not consider a person’s unique circumstances and medical history. The Safe Step Act would reform the process of step therapy.” Neurologists will also ask lawmakers to address a nearly 3.4% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor that went into effect January 1, 2024. Congress has not yet included a fix for the cut in any short-term spending bills. Funding deadlines now stand in early March. “Such cuts make it difficult for neurology practices to stay afloat and provide much needed specialized care to people with neurologic conditions,” said Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN, Chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Advocacy Committee. “Addressing these cuts will ensure that neurologists can continue to provide the highest quality neurologic care.” The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act [H.R. 2474] would apply a permanent inflation-based update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, providing much-needed stability to the Medicare payment system. Finally, as the experts in brain health, neurologists will ask lawmakers to maintain robust funding for the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and provide full funding for the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. Follow Neurology on the Hill on social media with the hashtags #NOH24 and #AANadvocacy.