Capitol Hill Day

DermPAs from across the country gathered in the heart of the nation’s capital to advocate for stronger, more equitable dermatologic care and to elevate the vital role PAs play in ensuring access, affordability, and patient outcomes.

The day began at SDPA’s offices with a welcome breakfast and a morning briefing that energized participants and prepared them for the day ahead. Immediately following, meetings with congressional offices kicked off and continued throughout the day, as 38 DermPAs met face-to-face with nearly 70 offices to deliver a united message. 

SDPA Policy Priorities

During these meetings, SDPA members championed key federal priorities designed to enhance patient access and support provider sustainability, including:

• Lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients by advocating for co-pays that count toward deductibles
• Securing Medicaid coverage for individuals living with vitiligo and alopecia areata
• Protecting and improving Medicare physician reimbursement, to ensure continued access to high-quality dermatologic care

DermPAs shared powerful patient stories and firsthand experiences from the clinic to underscore how these policy changes would improve health outcomes and access for underserved and vulnerable populations.

Policy Forum

Attendees convened for the SDPA and Derma Care Access Network Policy Forum over lunch. This session provided a timely update on the broader legislative landscape, a review of key talking points, and advocacy best practices. The Forum emphasized how members unified voices can shape meaningful policy change

First-Ever Advocacy CME

Members later joined together at SDPA’s first ever advocacy CME to discuss topics related to utilization management, advocacy efforts, and rising issues in the PA practice. This educational session brought together hill day participants, new SDPA members, and experts from the advocacy community in hopes to build bridges between policy and action. 

Celebrating Impact

The evening culminated with an SDPA Advocacy Reception, where SDPA members, legislative guests, and partners gathered to celebrate a day of action and shared commitment. Recognizing members and partners who are leading the charge for policy progress, held on none other than World Vitiligo Day, underscoring the importance of inclusive advocacy and visibility for patients with chronic dermatologic conditions. The event served as a reminder that advocacy doesn’t end at the Capitol. It lives in the stories we tell, the patients we serve, and the community we build together. 

Thank You for Advocating

We are deeply grateful to every DermPA who participated in Hill Day. Your passion, professionalism, and persistence made a lasting impression and advanced our mission to promote meaningful, patient-focused policies.

Together, we are shaping the future of dermatologic care.