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Read the Academy's bi-weekly update on legislative and regulatory advocacy for neurology.

June 22, 2026

Huge milestone for prior authorization bill

We’ve got your back on Capitol Hill—and we’re in overdrive advocating for you and your patients. Capitol Hill Report is your source for all things neurology advocacy, including this exciting update on prior authorization reform. Let us know if your practice, research, or patients are affected by recent policy changes.

Issue in focus

The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514) is a longstanding Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ advocacy priority. In the last Congress, the legislation garnered overwhelming bipartisan support, including unanimous passage in the House of Representatives.

This bill would make significant improvements to the prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage (MA), reducing administrative burdens on physicians and helping ensure patients receive timely access to medically necessary care.  

The legislation would require MA plans to adopt a standardized electronic prior authorization system, creating a more efficient and streamlined process for submitting and reviewing requests. It would also increase transparency by requiring MA plans to provide greater information about their prior authorization requirements and utilization, helping patients and providers better understand coverage decisions. 

In addition, the bill would clarify the authority of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish timelines for prior authorization determinations, including expedited requests and the future implementation of real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services.  

Finally, the bill would require HHS and other federal agencies to report to Congress on oversight efforts, program integrity measures, and additional opportunities to improve the electronic prior authorization process. Together, these reforms would modernize prior authorization in MA plans, improve efficiency for providers, and help ensure seniors can access the care they need when they need it.

This year, thanks in part to strong grassroots advocacy from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ members, the legislation has reached 290 bipartisan House cosponsors and now qualifies for the Consensus Calendar, a fast-track process reserved for broadly supported legislation. Placement on the Consensus Calendar gives the House Ways and Means Committee 25 legislative days to act on the bill. If the committee does not advance the legislation within that timeframe, the bill sponsor may pursue a vote by the full House.

This milestone reflects growing momentum for prior authorization reform and brings this important legislation one step closer to becoming law. Thank you to all the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ members who responded to our Action Alert and contacted their members of Congress—you made this progress possible. Watch for future advocacy opportunities with us to keep the momentum going!  

Latest advocacy news

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ responds to FDA request for information on drug repurposing 
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ has submitted a response to a recently released request for information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning priorities for drug repurposing for unmet medical needs. The FDA has identified neurodegenerative and rare disease as areas for prioritization. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s comments are aimed at promoting evidence-based patient access to therapy.  

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ joins with coalition partners in support of prior authorization reform
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ joined with partners from across the house of medicine last week in support of proposed guardrails on the implementation of prior authorization policies for drugs. The coalition effort follows on the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s recent submission of organizational comments and urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to move forward with key reforms aimed at reducing administrative burdens associated with medication-related prior authorization policies. 

What we're reading

• Democrats unveil drug pricing policy roadmap ahead of midterms |

• How sick is sick enough? New Medicaid work rule worries patient advocates, states |

• Backed by Threat of Clawbacks, Feds Wield Tight Grip on $50B Rural Health Fund |