March 2025

In this issue we feature: 

• LUGPA Supports Coalition Efforts for Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Reform
• HHS Restricts Public Comment on Health Regulations
• LUGPA Joins Letter Opposing Excessive Price Transparency Rules on ASCs
• LUGPA Joins Efforts to Oppose Harmful 340B Reform in New York
• 2025 LUGPA DC Fly-Ins – Advocate for Independent Urology Practices
• LUGPA Sends Letter to Congress Supporting the PSA Screening for HIM Act
• LUGPA Finalizes 2025 Legislative Priorities

LUGPA Supports Coalition Efforts for
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Reform

In February, LUGPA joined two significant coalition advocacy efforts urging House and Senate leadership to support H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. This critical legislation calls for reversing the 2.83% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Conversion Factor (CF) and urges the bill's inclusion in the March 2025 appropriations package.

The coalition letters emphasize the financial strain on physicians due to significant Medicare reimbursement cuts, which have declined by 33% since 2001. These cuts jeopardize patient access and accelerate healthcare consolidation. In response, the coalition advocates for a 2% increase to offset rising healthcare costs and ensure continued access to quality care.

H.R. 879, introduced by Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D., proposes a 6.62% increase to the MPFS CF from April through December 2025. LUGPA first signed a coalition letter supporting the bill and later teamed up with the Community Practice Coalition to write and distribute a second letter reinforcing the urgent need for reform. These efforts are vital to ensuring that independent practices are supported and patients continue to receive high-quality care.

HHS Restricts Public Comment on Health Regulations

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a significant policy change affecting public input on regulatory actions. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rescinded the Richardson Waiver, limiting public comment requirements on regulations related to agency management, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts unless legally mandated. This move aims to streamline operations and reduce administrative burdens, citing prior policies' inefficiencies.

While the specific policies and programs affected by this requirement remain unclear, critics argue this change may undermine transparency and stakeholder engagement in federal health policy decisions. Public comment periods are crucial for refining regulations and ensuring effective policymaking, impacting Medicaid, Medicare, reimbursement models, and patient safety.

LUGPA is actively monitoring this policy change and will continue to advocate for transparency, stakeholder engagement, and equitable regulatory processes to support high-quality, patient-centered care and engage with legislators and regulators to preserve public comment opportunities and uphold fair and informed decision-making.

Updates on this topic will be posted here. 

LUGPA Joins Letter Opposing Excessive Price Transparency Rules on ASCs

In February, LUGPA joined the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) in sending a letter to Congress opposing increased price transparency requirements for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). This letter was directed to Senators Bill Cassidy and Bernie Sanders, the Chair and Ranking Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The letter expresses a desire to engage in discussions with Senators Cassidy and Sanders about price transparency policies. It highlights that the new health plan requirements for price comparison tools, effective January 1, 2024, already provide patients with accurate cost information. LUGPA strongly opposes the proposal requiring ASCs to disclose payer-specific negotiated rates, citing the potential for consumer confusion and significant administrative burdens. The letter also raises concerns about accepting discounted cash prices as full payment and calls for practical, manageable policies that would reduce unnecessary complications for ASCs.

LUGPA Joins Efforts to Oppose Harmful 340B Reform in New York

In February, LUGPA participated in two coalition letters opposing harmful 340B reforms in New York. These letters highlight concerns about expanding the Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, mainly through contract pharmacies. The expansion threatens independent practices by enabling large hospital systems and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to dominate the market, reduce competition, and increase costs.

The proposed S1913 bill would exacerbate these issues, driving patients into higher-cost hospital settings and putting independent practices, particularly in underserved areas, at risk of closure. Both coalitions urge New York lawmakers to adopt policies that enhance affordable care access while preserving market competition and supporting independent practices.

2025 LUGPA DC Fly-Ins – Advocate for
Independent Urology Practices

LUGPA is gearing up for its 2025 DC Fly-Ins, scheduled for April 8–9, June 24–25, and October 21–22. These events are key opportunities for LUGPA members to engage directly with lawmakers and advocate for policies that strengthen independent urology practices.

We are actively coordinating meetings with key legislators to ensure our priorities are heard. Member participation is essential to amplifying our collective voice and advancing meaningful policy reforms. To support this effort, we are recruiting attendees and securing resources for travel, materials, and advocacy initiatives.

With pressing challenges such as Medicare reimbursement instability, site-neutral payment reform, and workforce shortages, these fly-ins are critical for educating policymakers and driving real legislative change. A strong turnout will help advance policies that protect and empower independent urology.

If you are interested in participating in one of the fly-ins, please contact Matthew Glans at [email protected].

Stay tuned for further details on scheduling, key issue briefs, and logistical updates as we finalize our legislative agenda and expand our outreach efforts.

LUGPA Letter to Congress Supporting the PSA Screening for HIM Act 

In February, LUGPA sent a letter to Representatives Dunn and Clarke, in support of their sponsorship of the PSA Screening for HIM Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to eliminate financial barriers to early prostate cancer detection, particularly for high-risk men, such as those with a family history of the disease and Black men, who face disproportionately high incidence and mortality rates.

LUGPA emphasized the importance of early detection in improving survival rates and reducing health disparities. The bill's potential to standardize access to life-saving screenings nationwide aligns with LUGPA’s mission to advance men’s health through evidence-based policy solutions. We urged strong support and co-sponsorship to enhance patient outcomes and save lives.

LUGPA Finalizes 2025 Legislative Priorities

In February, LUGPA finalized its 2025 Legislative Priorities, reinforcing our commitment to policies that protect independent urology practices and ensure high-quality patient care. This year’s agenda focuses on the following key areas:

• Sustainable Physician Reimbursement: Advocating for Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) reform, MACRA/MIPS improvements, and fair reimbursement for Medicare-covered cancer treatments.
• Site-Neutral Payment Reform: Promoting equal reimbursement across care settings to support independent practices.
• Expanding Patient Access: Ensuring continued access to cancer therapies, supporting in-office dispensing of Part D medications, and increasing healthcare price transparency.
• Flexible Reimbursement Models: Advancing value-based care initiatives, expanding Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) procedures, and advocating for innovative payment models.
• Telehealth Integration: Fighting for permanent telehealth access and fair reimbursement to support long-term adoption.
• Addressing Workforce Shortages: Supporting policies to expand the healthcare workforce, reduce provider burnout, and improve access to care in rural and underserved areas.
• Advancing Clinical Evidence: Advocating for reimbursement of molecular and genetic testing to support precision medicine.
• PBM and 340B Reform: Ensuring transparency and oversight to prevent unfair drug pricing and misuse of the 340B program.
• Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform: Simplifying prior authorization to reduce administrative burdens and improve patient care.
• Cybersecurity & AI in Healthcare: Promoting policies safeguarding patient data while fostering innovation in healthcare technology.

For the complete list of priorities, visit the LUGPA Policy & Advocacy page.