- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2026 - Contact
Milan Reed, MS
Manager, Communications
(202) 446-2028
mreed@neurosurgery.org
Neurosurgery Applauds House Energy and Commerce Passage of Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform
Washington, DC — Today, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) welcomed another major legislative milestone as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce passed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514 / S. 1816), bipartisan legislation to modernize prior authorization in Medicare Advantage and increase transparency in the program. Passed 45-0, the legislation now advances to the House floor for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, Chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee, issued the following statement:
“The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act represents one of the most broadly supported, commonsense health care reforms before Congress today. For patients with neurologic disease, timely access to medically necessary care is not a matter of convenience. It can mean the difference between preserving function and living with permanent disability. This legislation takes meaningful steps to ensure that prior authorization supports high-quality care rather than delaying it.”
“We commend Representatives Kelly, DelBene, Joyce, and Bera, as well as the leadership and members of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, for advancing this bipartisan legislation. After years of thoughtful collaboration among physicians, patient advocates, hospitals, health plans, and policymakers, we urge House leadership to bring this legislation to the floor before the August recess so patients can finally benefit from these long-overdue reforms.”
Click here to view the full Neurosurgery Applauds House Ways and Means Passage of Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform
