House votes to repeal health care reform. What's next?

The ACP Advocate

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January 21, 2011
In this issue
» Vote to Repeal Health Reform Marks Start of Piecemeal Attack on the Law
» Delaying Electronic Prescribing Could Prove Costly
» Worksite Wellness Gets a Boost From Health Reform


About this newsletter

The ACP Advocate is an e-newsletter, edited by the College's Washington, DC governmental affairs division, created to provide you, our members, with succinct news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care. To learn more about ACP's Advocacy and to access the ACP Advocate archives, go to www.acponline.org/advocacy.

Welcome to The ACP Advocate.

Obviously the big story this week in health care policy was the House vote to repeal the health care reform law.  Because the repeal bill is extremely unlikely to be passed by the Senate, this will most likely be the end of the action pushing for total repeal.  Our first story this week looks at the vote and where the challenges to health care reform are likely to move to from here.  Also, if you’re interested in a little more discussion about why I believe this is more than just a symbolic vote, check out my blog entry from Tuesday.

Pay special attention to our second story this week about the Medicare e-Prescribing Incentive Program.  The program is now entering the phase where physicians who fail to begin e-prescribing will be subject to a penalty.  Luckily, you still have time to avoid the penalty and earn an incentive payment.  Click on the links at the end of that story for more information on how to become compliant.

Finally, our last story this week is another installment in our series on health care reform.  This week we look at incentives included in the law for employer-sponsored wellness programs. 

For more coverage of what’s happening in Washington, take a look at my award-winning blog, The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty.  You can also follow me on Twitter @BobDohertyACP. 

And, as always, please send your feedback and suggestions on this newsletter to:  TheACPAdvocate@acponline.org

Yours truly,

Bob Doherty
Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
American College of Physicians

In the news
» Vote to Repeal Health Reform Marks Start of Piecemeal Attack on the Law
  ACP executive says legislators should be trying to improve, not take away, benefits
 

Fulfilling a pledge that many had campaigned on in the fall, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives succeeded this week in passing a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act signed into law last year.

Whether health-reform measures will u... » Click to read the full article


» Delaying Electronic Prescribing Could Prove Costly
  Physicians urged to act now to avoid Medicare penalties
 

Practices that have not yet made the leap to electronic prescribing might want to do so soon. Delaying much longer will mean lower Medicare reimbursements next year.

Practices that have not implemented a qualified e-prescribing system by June 3... » Click to read the full article


» Worksite Wellness Gets a Boost From Health Reform
  Physicians urged to see programs as a way to enhance patient education and follow-up
 

Workplace initiatives that use financial rewards to motivate people to take charge of their health are getting a helping hand.

The Afford... » Click to read the full article


In focus
Find Out About Medicare Changes for 2011
With a new year here, so are changes to the Medicare program. On the College’s Running a Practice site find information to help prepare you for what you’ll need to know after January 1. Find out how to qualify for a bonus under the Primary Care Incentive Program, what you’ll need to participate in the eRx Incentive Program, and what you’ll need to do to make “meaningful use” of your EHR system.

Help Us Find the Best Name for our Advocacy Program
The College is looking for a new name for our federal advocacy grassroots program. Take a minute to fill out this short survey and help us determine our new name. ACP's grassroots advocates e-mail, call and meet with their members of Congress on issues of importance to medical students, internists and their patients. ACP gives them the tools necessary to develop and maintain the relationships.

Free Print Version of Health Care Reform Brochure Available
Print copies of the joint ACP and AARP Consumer Guide to Understanding Health System Reform (www.acponline.org/healthlawconsumerinfo) are now available for order. Available free in both English and Spanish the brochures are meant to be shared with your patients to answer their questions about health care reform. Guides will shipped in bundles of 100.

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