AANEM Hill Day Advances Push for Quality, Safety, and Integrity in EDX Medicine

AANEM members from across the country gathered in Washington, DC, on March 16 for Hill Day, turning a weather-disrupted event into a powerful show of advocacy for patients and the field of EDX medicine. Despite tornado warnings, early office closures, and travel delays due to snowstorms, participants remained committed to ensuring that key messages reached congressional offices.

State Liaison Committee Chair Dr. Chilvana Patel (Texas) captured the spirit of the day, noting, “Despite the unexpected changes, I appreciated everyone’s flexibility and commitment to representing our priorities on behalf of our patients.”

Throughout the day, AANEM’s delegation focused on its legislation, the “Electrodiagnostic Medicine Patient Protection and Fraud Elimination Act” (H.R. 3092), along with related bipartisan efforts to strengthen quality and integrity in EDX testing. Advocates emphasized that qualified physicians, appropriate equipment, and real-time, hands-on testing are essential for accurate diagnoses and high-quality care—ultimately helping to reduce unnecessary costs and the misuse of healthcare resources.

To underscore the importance of this work, attendees shared patient video testimonials, including stories from individuals with ALS who have experienced the serious consequences of delayed or missed diagnoses.

Coordinated Advocacy Across States

Teams met with congressional offices across 13 states, often splitting up to accommodate overlapping schedules and last-minute shifts to virtual formats. In several discussions, delegates also explored opportunities to reengage with CMS leadership—including potential pathways to CMS Administrator Dr. Oz—to encourage stronger enforcement of existing rules governing EDX testing.

A Meaningful Experience for First-Time Advocates

For many participants, Hill Day served as both an educational experience and a powerful reminder of the importance of organized physician advocacy. First-time participant Dr. Zabeen Mahuwala (Kentucky) shared, “Participating in Hill Day demonstrated the collective impact of organized advocacy and reaffirmed my dedication to promoting excellence and integrity in electrodiagnostic medicine.” She emphasized that advocating for appropriate training, accreditation, and adherence to established standards closely aligns with AANEM’s mission.

Keeping the Focus on Patient Safety

AANEM’s Michigan representative, Dr. Anandeep Kumar, reinforced this message in his meetings, noting that “this legislation is fundamentally about the quality of testing and patient safety.” He highlighted that strengthening standards and enforcement can both protect patients and reduce waste and abuse within the healthcare system.

Continuing the Momentum

Looking ahead, AANEM’s health policy team and state liaisons plan to build on these conversations through continued outreach to congressional offices and CMS leadership. As AANEM Executive Director Shirlyn Adkins emphasized, “Our advocacy starts with quality—when patients receive the right test from a qualified physician, we improve outcomes and use healthcare dollars more wisely.”

With sustained member engagement, AANEM will continue advancing policies that support high-quality electrodiagnostic medicine, safeguard patients, and reduce waste and abuse across the healthcare system.