Dear members,

I hope that this email finds you well as we navigate this new year. Just a few weeks ago, I shared with you that the Academy is reinforcing our commitment to securing a fix to the 2025 Medicare physician payment cuts and fighting for long term reform.

Over the last several weeks, the AADA has worked to build its relationships with new members of Congress and solidify our current relationships with returning members who are allies on this issue as they shape their legislative agenda. Thanks to that ongoing work, the House introduced a new bill aimed at stopping the 2.8% cut and providing a 2% inflationary increase in physician payment in 2025. 

For this bill to move forward, we NEED active engagement from every member. Last year, less than 8% of AADA members contacted Congress on this issue. I know we can and WILL increase the number of members who send this important message to Congress. 

If we want to succeed in reforming the Medicare payment system, we need all members to spread the message to Congress on how this impacts health care access in every step in this long battle. Medicare physician payment reform is the Academy’s sole federal legislative priority, and we need more Academy members to contact Congress to help move reform forward.

Demand Action Now

• Step 1: All you have to do is click this link to urge Congress to act to stop the 2.8% cut to Medicare physician payment that took effect on Jan. 1, and provide for an overdue positive inflationary adjustment for physician practices for 2025.
  
  
• Step 2: The voices of our patients are very powerful. Our patients should be part of the dialogue, and the Academy is providing patient outreach resources  that will help you engage and educate your patients about this crisis. I encourage you to discuss the issue of health care access with your patients and encourage them to contact their federal Representatives asking Congress to act.
  
  
• Step 3: Help the Academy tell the story of how dwindling Medicare payment risks limiting access to patient care.
   
  If you have a story about how the Medicare payment crisis impacts your practice and patients OR if you have a patient willing to share their story about how critical access to dermatologic care is to their wellbeing, please contact mediarelations@aad.org. Hearing from patients and hearing their voices will be incredibly impactful.

I know that this seemingly never-ending fight is frustrating, and the wheels of government often turn much too slowly. But we are in it for the long haul and our commitment to this battle is relentless. Thank you so very much for your continued engagement.

Sincerely,

Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
President, American Academy of Dermatology