Advocacy News

What the 2026 Elections Mean for Heart Rhythm Advocacy The 2026 elections are reshaping the landscape for health policy in Washington and across the states. Democrats have won control of the U.S. House and Senate, while state elections have changed legislative majorities, broken supermajorities, and brought new governors and physician policymakers into office. For Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA), the task is to translate that changing landscape into opportunities to improve care

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) recently submitted a formal comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the RAPID Coverage Pathway. HRS and HRA support the goal of the proposed Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway: timely Medicare access to beneficial medical technologies through earlier coordination between CMS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We urge CMS to finaliz

The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act received a significant (but more complicated than it appears) price tag The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that one of HRA’s legislative priorities, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163), would increase federal spending by approximately $5 billion over ten years. At first glance, that number may sound like a major setback for legislation intended to bring greater stability and accuracy to Medicare physic

Nearly 30 heart rhythm advocates traveled to Washington last week for the 2026 Heart Rhythm Advocates National Fly-In, meeting with 40 congressional offices to make the case for policies that protect access to heart rhythm care. Working in six geographically organized teams, our advocates met with members of Congress and their health policy staff from both parties and both chambers. Senate meetings included the offices of Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY

HRA submitted the following testimony on September 15, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health as they examine legislative proposals to reform Medicare provider payment and bolster health care cybersecurity.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a legislative hearing on September 15 examining proposals to reform Medicare physician payment and strengthen healthcare cybersecurity.

A new bipartisan bill seeks to replace the uncertainty of Medicare payment reductions and temporary interventions with a more sustainable system.

Congress has left Washington for its traditional August recess, but the work of legislating - and advocating - has not stopped. The House and Senate are spending much of August away from the Capitol, with lawmakers returning to their states and congressional districts. Although commonly called a “recess,” this period is officially designated for district and state work. Members use the time to meet with constituents, visit local organizations and, most importantly to them, co

HRA recently partnered with Relay Response to provide hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for congressional staff on Capitol Hill.

Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) Board Chair Mina Chung, MD, met with three members of Ohio’s congressional delegation and their staffs to advance policies supporting heart rhythm patients, cardiac emergency preparedness, and access to specialty cardiovascular care.

This month marks a historic milestone for heart rhythm care in California: for the first time, a cardiac arrhythmia ablation has been successfully performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC).

Prior authorization has become one of the most significant challenges facing patients and the clinicians who care for them. HRA recently held a town hall on this important topic.

HRA submitted official comments to the Office of Management and Budget on their proposed changes to research grants.

On June 4, physician leaders from Heart Rhythm Advocates met with congressional offices and key committee staff to discuss policies affecting patient access to cardiovascular and electrophysiology care.

On behalf of its members, Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) is preparing a formal response to the NIH that emphasizes the importance of aligning research priorities with the real-world burden of disease, particularly in areas where outcomes remain poor despite available tools and scientific advances.

Medicare physician payment remains one of the most pressing policy issues facing the electrophysiology (EP) community.

February 27, 2025 -- The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) have submitted a formal request to congressional appropriators urging $50 million in FY 2027 Labor-HHS funding to implement the HEARTS Act and calling for continued strong, sustained federal investment in NIH-supported cardiovascular research. Appropriations requests are how national priorities are translated into funding decisions. Even in years when the legislative calendar is compressed,

February 2, 2026 -- Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA), working in coordination with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), recently submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Education addressing a proposed rule that could have far-reaching implications for the electrophysiology (EP) workforce and patient access to arrhythmia care. The Department’s proposal, issued under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA), would significantly narrow the definition of “professional degree” for

Indiana lawmakers have decided to keep requirements for schools to have cardiac emergency response plans and defibrillators at school events. This is a win for students and families.

State legislation proposals affecting cardiac emergency preparedness, health care workforce licensing, imaging standards, and patient safety.