State-level advocacy for urology is another key priority for the AUA. We work closely with sections and state societies to monitor and address legislation and regulations affecting the urology community.

The AUA’s State Advocacy Program was first approved by the AUA Board of Directors in 2007. It remains our flagship effort encouraging and supporting members to become effective state-level advocates for their patients and profession by:

• Actively tracking, monitoring and reporting on state level legislative and regulatory issues.
• Encouraging AUA members to build relationships with their state and federal representatives by hosting them for a tour of their practices and a discussion of relevant issues.
• Facilitating communication among physicians involved at the state, Section, and national levels as issues arise by sharing information, contacts and communications tools.
• Inspiring member attendance at their state medical society's or state urological society's legislative lobbying day.
• Partnering physician leaders with AUA expert staff members for presentations at Section or state societies' annual meetings on a variety of health policy and legislative topics.

State Advocacy Priorities

• Support traditional medical liability reform efforts.
• Support state efforts to reduce burdens negatively impacting urologic patient care, such as inadequate insurance networks and utilization management tools (e.g., pharmacy benefits managers, prior authorization, and step therapy).
• Promote access to prostate cancer screening, diagnostic modalities (e.g., advanced imaging, biomarkers), and treatment.
• Ensure the delivery of urologic care is driven by a Urologist-led care team.
• Support legislative and regulatory efforts to expand and sustain meaningful patient access to telehealth services, including licensure and payment parity.
• Monitor and promote legislation to streamline the state medical licensure process and work to expand the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in all 50 states.
• Oppose legislation seeking to interfere in the patient-physician relationship.
• Promote legislation to improve access to urology health care services for medically underserved populations.

The AUA's legislative priorities serve as a guide for the AUA's advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels, but do not limit or restrict the policy issues the AUA may consider. For more information or to learn how to become involved, contact the Legislative & Political Affairs Department at legislativeaffairs@AUAnet.org.