What are our 2026 advocacy priorities—and how can you get involved?
April 13, 2026
The AAN’s 2026 advocacy priorities are access to care, regulatory and administrative burden, the neurology workforce, and neuroscience research and brain health. These priorities are determined by the AAN Advocacy Committee every year based on member feedback and the policy environment. Read on for a quick look at each topic.
Access to care
The AAN supports high-quality, patient-centered care, including affordable prescription drug prices, telehealth, and adequate coverage policies. These topics are especially important for neurologists’ patients, as they often have complex chronic conditions that require high-cost specialty drugs.
One current bill in this area is the CONNECT for Health Act, which would permanently expand access to telehealth services for Medicare recipients and prevent major access issues like the lapse in coverage during 2025’s 43-day government shutdown. Neurology on the Hill participants lobbied for the bill this year, and you can contact your members of Congress about it through our Advocacy Action Center.
Regulatory and administrative burden
Regulatory and administrative burdens like prior authorization and step therapy requirements are a major issue facing neurologists and other physicians, taking up hours per week and pulling their time and attention away from their patients.
In a 2024 survey from the American Medical Association, 93% of physicians reported that prior authorization delays access to necessary care. More than one in four said the process has led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care. The AAN supports policies that reduce regulatory and administrative burden, giving providers more time for patient care.
Neurology workforce
One in two Americans is affected by a neurological disease or disorder—and as the US population ages, more and more neurology clinicians will be needed. We need a robust neurology workforce to keep providing quality care, so the AAN supports policies that improve Medicare reimbursement, encourage provider wellness, and allow international medical graduates to practice in the US.
2026 Neurology on the Hill participants asked representatives to pass a permanent fix to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that would grant a yearly inflationary update, allowing Medicare reimbursements to keep up with the annual rate of inflation. They also asked for policy changes to budget neutrality triggers, allowing new services to be compensated without lowering reimbursement rates for existing services.
Another topic in this area is the $100,000 H-1B visa processing fee that was enacted last year via presidential proclamation. A bipartisan bill in Congress, the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, would waive the fee for health care providers. More than 60% of foreign-trained physicians practice in Medically Underserved Areas or Health Professional Shortages Areas, so addressing this fee would help protect access to care for rural Americans. You can contact your representatives in support of the bill through the Advocacy Action Center.
Neuroscience research and brain health
Research funding, including for necessary neuroscience research, is facing serious headwinds. The AAN is committed to supporting research funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other avenues. We support increased NIH funding, especially for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the BRAIN Initiative.
The BRAIN Initiative, a public-private collaboration at the NIH, has led to major breakthroughs in neurology. In addition to base funding through NIH, it receives funding from the 21st Century Cures Act—but this funding is set to expire at the end of 2026.
It’s important to avoid a lapse in funding for this program as appropriations season begins. Neurology on the Hill participants asked legislators to support baseline funding for the BRAIN Initiative, and we’ll continue to advocate for it and other neuroscience funding avenues.
How do I get involved in AAN advocacy?
Thousands of AAN members participate in advocacy by joining us for Neurology on the Hill, learning from programs like the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, joining the Political Outreach for Neurological Support (PONS) network, getting involved with BrainPAC, and more.
The best way for US members to stay informed is by reading Capitol Hill Report, a biweekly newsletter that covers recent advocacy highlights and ways to get involved. This newsletter goes straight to US members’ email inboxes and is published online.
Another key way to get involved is by responding to Action Alerts, which go to US members’ inboxes and the online AAN Advocacy Action Center. This tool makes it easy to contact your members of Congress and takes minutes to complete.