Support Your Patients. Support Your Colleagues. Be an Advocate for Pathology.

posted: November 1, 2022

We all want to provide the best possible care for our patients. We spend years in training learning how to interpret microscopic slides and laboratory data, and we continue to take the time to continually hone our skills.

Did you know that you can also support pathology practice by understanding governmental policy and by learning how to advocate with the government on behalf of our specialty? Public policy impacts so much of what we do: how we practice, how we assure quality, and how our practices and employers get reimbursed for our services. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) was established in 1946 to advocate for pathologists in Washington, and as the only pathology-specific organization involved in federal government advocacy, continues to lead the way in ensuring that our needs are heard in Congress and the regulatory agencies.

In addition, much health care public policy is set by state governments, and the responsibility for advocacy falls upon the state pathology societies. NYSSP is your advocate in Albany.

What you can do.

Effective societal advocacy requires members like you to come forward and make your voice heard. Your government wants to hear from you, their constituents, since the voice of the individuals impacted by government policy are the most powerful of all.

On the Federal level

• Visit cap.org/advocacy to learn about the public policy issues the CAP is tracking.
• While you are there, sign up for PathNet, the CAP’s grassroots advocacy network, to receive action alerts on public policy.
• Donate to PathPAC, the CAP’s political action committee.
• Plan to attend the CAP Pathologists Leadership Summit next April.

On the State level

• Stay tuned to this page for updates on state policy issues and how you can reach out to your elected officials and regulatory agencies.
• Join or renew your membership with NYSSP. A strong membership is critical to advance the advocacy efforts; and your active engagement and support will help go a long way toward supporting your patients and your colleagues