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.
• Promote efforts to support adequate insurance networks.
• Support state efforts to reduce the burden of utilization management tools such as prior authorization and step therapy.
• Support access to prostate cancer screening.
• Support legislation and regulation to maintain the physician led care team.
• Preserve appropriate use of the in-office ancillary services exemption (IOASE) to the federal Stark law and support legislation allowing appropriate participation in alternative payment models.
• Support legislative and regulatory efforts to expand meaningful patient access to telemedicine services.
• Monitor and promote the expansion of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in all 50 states.
• Oppose unwarranted statutory or regulatory requirements related to the genitourinary physical examination by licensed and qualified providers.
• Oppose legislation seeking to interfere in the patient-physician relationship.

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.