From the President’s Desk

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Strengthen your state societies

Emily E. Volk, MD

March 2022—If you’re reading this column, you’re likely a member of the CAP. But are you also a member of your state pathology society? Too many pathologists think that joining the CAP is enough. The truth is, the CAP can have a greater impact—and pathologists can be more effective physician advocates for their patients—when partnering with robust state pathology societies.

State societies are essential because so many of the policies and regulations governing our work as pathologists are enacted at the state level. Balance billing rules, scope of practice issues, and insurance regulations are often decided by each state. So many issues about how we are licensed, how we practice, and how we get paid are regulated at the state level. Moreover, CAP federal advocacy is buttressed by strong state pathology societies that can provide grassroots support with their respective members of Congress.

That’s why each state needs its own pathology society to represent our interests. These groups are fundamental to our state and federal advocacy agenda. The CAP works closely with state societies, getting from them important information about emerging trends affecting pathologists—such as what’s happening with third-party payers on the ground—and giving to them important resources to support local advocacy programs.

Having that state society infrastructure in place helps magnify the CAP’s impact and reach. It helps our organization work better for practicing pathologists and gives us a way to mobilize people in particular areas when issues arise.

Dr. Volk

Consider just a few examples of what state pathology societies accomplished in conjunction with the CAP last year. The North Carolina Society of Pathologists and the CAP successfully opposed adverse out-of-network legislation displacing the federal No Surprises Act and averting low out-of-network payment rates. The North Carolina Society of Pathologists also successfully amended pharmacist scope of practice legislation, while the Rhode Island Society of Pathologists and the CAP successfully amended genetic counselor scope of practice legislation. I could cite many more examples if I had enough space.