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LUGPA Takes Physician-Led Practices’ Message to Capitol HillMay 2026 LUGPA members convened in Washington, D.C. on May 20–21, 2026, for a highly productive congressional fly-in focused on advancing key legislative and regulatory priorities impacting independent urology practices and the patients they serve. Throughout the two-day advocacy effort, LUGPA physicians and administrators met with lawmakers, senior staff, and key committee offices to advocate for sustainable physician reimbursement, preservation of patient access to Part B medications and complex therapies, and reforms to address consolidation and site-of-service disparities.
The meetings occurred against the backdrop of continued instability in Medicare payments, rising practice costs, increasing consolidation pressures, and growing concern about preserving access to community-based specialty care. LUGPA advocates emphasized that physician-led independent practices continue to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care, but require long-term payment stability and thoughtful reforms to remain viable. Physician Payment Reform A central focus of the fly-in was Medicare physician payment reform. LUGPA members highlighted that physicians continue to face annual payment cuts and stagnant reimbursement updates while other healthcare providers receive inflationary increases. Medicare payments to physicians have failed to keep pace with rising practice costs, threatening the sustainability of independent practices and accelerating consolidation into higher-cost hospital systems. Advocates urged Congress to:
LUGPA strongly supported H.R. 8163, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, bipartisan legislation designed to modernize Medicare budget neutrality rules and reduce disruptive payment fluctuations. Members encouraged lawmakers to advance the bill this Congress as an important step toward long-term stability in physician payments. Several meetings included direct engagement with members and staff from the:
These committee discussions were especially important given their jurisdiction over Medicare payment policy and healthcare financing. Protecting Access to Part B Medications and Complex Therapies LUGPA members also focused extensively on preserving patient access to Part B medications and physician-administered therapies. Advocates explained that implementation of negotiated prices for Part B drugs beginning in 2028 could significantly reduce reimbursement for administering these medications, potentially making in-office provision financially unsustainable for many practices. To address these concerns, LUGPA urged support for H.R. 4299, the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act. The bipartisan legislation would require manufacturers to provide rebates that preserve ASP+6% reimbursement for providers while maintaining Medicare savings and lower patient cost-sharing. Advocates emphasized that the legislation:
Members stressed that preserving office-based access to complex therapies is particularly important in communities already facing hospital capacity constraints and workforce shortages. Site-Neutral Payments and 340B Reform LUGPA advocates also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability surrounding non-profit hospital finances and 340B program utilization. Discussions focused on the growing financial incentives driving physician practice acquisition and consolidation. Members advocated for:
LUGPA also expressed support for broader 340B reform efforts, including proposals similar to H.R. 5256, which would strengthen transparency and improve patient-focused accountability within the program. Congressional Meetings and Key Engagements Over two days, LUGPA physician leaders and practice administrators met with lawmakers and staff from key congressional committees responsible for Medicare and healthcare policy, including the House Ways & Means Committee, House Energy & Commerce Committee, and Senate Finance Committee. Discussions focused on physician payment reform, protecting patient access to physician-administered therapies, site-neutral payment policies, and preserving independent specialty practices. Senate and House Democratic Meetings LUGPA met with the offices of Senators Peter Welch (VT), Adam Schiff (CA), Michael Bennet (CO), Alex Padilla (CA), Mark Warner (VA), Chris Coons (DE), Chris Murphy (CT), Tim Kaine (VA), Richard Blumenthal (CT), and John Hickenlooper (CO), as well as Representatives Sarah McBride (DE), Scott Peters (CA), Mike Levin (CA), Raul Ruiz, MD (CA), Jim Himes (CT), and Jahana Hayes (CT). Members emphasized the need for immediate stabilization of physician payments through H.R. 8163, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, and long-term reforms that would update physician payments based on inflation using the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). Advocates also discussed H.R. 4299, the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act, highlighting concerns that Medicare drug price negotiations could unintentionally reduce access to physician-administered Part B therapies. Several offices expressed strong interest in both bills. Representative Mike Levin's office indicated likely support for H.R. 8163, while the offices of Representatives Jim Himes and Jahana Hayes viewed both proposals as important tools to address physician workforce shortages and patient access challenges. Representative Scott Peters' office requested additional information on the fiscal impact of H.R. 8163 and encouraged continued efforts to position the legislation for inclusion in a broader healthcare package. Committee Outreach and Republican Meetings LUGPA also met with Representatives Aaron Bean (FL), Adrian Smith (NE), Mike Rulli (OH), Cliff Bentz (OR), Erin Houchin (IN), Jay Obernolte (CA), and Nick Langworthy (NY), many of whom serve on the House Ways & Means Committee or House Energy & Commerce Committee. Several meetings generated encouraging momentum:
Congressional Receptions and Fundraisers The fly-in also included events with several congressional champions of physician-led care. Senator Peter Welch (VT) demonstrated a strong understanding of physician reimbursement challenges, site-of-service disparities, and rural healthcare access. He requested additional information on payment differences between physician offices and hospital outpatient departments and indicated interest in potentially leading Senate companion legislation to H.R. 8163. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD (CA), discussed his efforts to advance physician payment reform tied to the Medicare Economic Index and indicated he is a "lean yes" on cosponsoring H.R. 4299 pending additional information. Representative Adam Gray (CA) was thanked for his leadership on H.R. 4299 and for his ongoing efforts to build bipartisan support to protect access to physician-administered therapies. LUGPA also participated in events with Representative Brett Guthrie (KY), Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and Representative Kevin Hern (OK), both of whom were highly engaged on physician payment and site-neutral policy issues. Participating Physicians and LUGPA Leaders Key physician participants and leaders included:
Participants shared real-world examples illustrating how ongoing instability in reimbursement, consolidation pressures, and access challenges directly affect practices and patients across communities nationwide. Thank You to Participating Practices LUGPA extends sincere appreciation to the many practices, physicians, administrators, and donors whose support made the May 2026 Fly-In possible. Their engagement and financial support continue to strengthen LUGPA’s voice on Capitol Hill. Participating and supporting practices included:
LUGPA also thanks the advocacy consultants who coordinated meetings, receptions, and donor engagement efforts throughout the fly-in. Bottom Line The May 2026 LUGPA Fly-In strengthened relationships with key congressional offices and reinforced LUGPA’s advocacy priorities surrounding physician payment reform, preservation of patient access to therapies, site-neutral payment policy, and independent specialty care. The fly-in demonstrated the continued importance of physician-led advocacy and provided lawmakers with direct insight into the challenges facing community-based urology practices and the patients who rely on them. Continued engagement will remain critical as Congress considers Medicare payment reform, drug pricing implementation, 340B oversight, and broader healthcare consolidation policies throughout 2026. Your Participation Matters LUGPA’s advocacy efforts are only possible because of the active participation and support of its members. Physician voices remain among the most effective tools for educating policymakers and shaping healthcare policy. LUGPA encourages all members — especially those interested in advocacy and political engagement — to consider participating in future Washington, D.C. fly-ins and advocacy initiatives. If you are interested in participating in a future Washington, D.C. Fly-In, please get in touch with Matthew Glans at [email protected]. |
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