Priority Issues

Policy

The Academy is advocating for you and your patients. View the top priorities for the AAN this year.

The AAN advocates for access to high-quality neurological care

The AAN is fighting to reduce regulatory burden and administrative burden, including prior authorization and step therapy.

The AAN supports strengthening the neurology workforce

Every year, the AAN Advocacy Committee sets the advocacy priorities for the AAN based on member feedback and the policy environment.

Top Priorities
Access to Care	The AAN advocates for access to high-quality neurological care by supporting policies that address issues including telemedicine and drug affordability and access.
Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burdens	The AAN supports reducing physician regulatory and administrative burdens such as prior authorization, step therapy requirements, and out-of-state licensure.
Neurology Workforce	The AAN supports issues related to strengthening the neurology workforce including physician reimbursement, wellness, and immigration.

Active
Brain Health	AAN supports policies that improve brain health at every stage of life, from a person’s earliest years of development to their oldest years. Learn more.
Neuroscience Research Funding	The AAN supports increased funding to build on existing neuroscience research to reduce the burden of neurological disease and improve neurological patient care.
Health Equity	The AAN supports policies that will address systemic inequalities in health care delivery, allowing all patients with neurological conditions to receive the care they need.
Other Active Issues	EHR interoperability, AAN Principles for Health Care Delivery, funding and implementation of National Neurologic Disease Surveillance System, Funding for VA Centers of Excellence

Monitoring
AI	The AAN will continue to work with policymakers to ensure the implementation of artificial intelligence does not exacerbate disparities, reinforce bias, or create undue burdens to care and research.
COVID-19 Response	The AAN advocates at all levels of government for support and flexibility for the neurology community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cannabis Research	The AAN supports scientific research of cannabis and rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule II to reduce barriers for researchers investigating its safety and potential benefits.
Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury	AAN supports evidence-based standards of treatment, prevention, and education for concussions and TBIs.
MACRA & QPP Implementation	The AAN will continue to work closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to promote the effective development of MACRA and the Quality Payment Program.
Medical Liability Reform	The AAN supports comprehensive medical liability reform that includes protections for neurologists to ensure and enhance access to care.
Opioids and Pain Research	The AAN supports continued research on safe and effective non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.
Other Monitoring Issues	Gun safety, narrow networks, surprise billing, neuroimaging, psychedelic drugs