Welcome to The ACP Advocate

Today's first story updates you on the Supreme Court arguments that took place last week, days after the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  ACP issued a statement pointing out the many patients who have already benefited from specific programs created by the law, as well as the tens of millions more who will have access to coverage by 2014 if it is allowed to go fully into effect.  ACP has not taken a position on the specific constitutional issues being considered, because the organization's expertise is in evidence-based health policy, not constitutional law.  But, ACP expressed its fervent hope that the Supreme Court will find a way forward that clarifies the constitutional questions while not turning back the key programs needed to expand coverage to nearly all Americans.  We need to wait until June to see what the Court has to say.
 
Our second story covers the March report from MedPAC.  In its report, the payment commission recommended that physician payments be frozen or cut over the next decade.  We think that Medicare payment methods should be reviewed in order to increase value for patients, but MedPAC's proposal for freezes and across-the-board cuts would hurt patient care.  Something of this magnitude could worsen the already-projected shortages of internal medicine specialists and subspecialists. 
 
Finally, the last story today looks at the House budget that was proposed by Rep. Ryan.  Though the budget itself won’t actually go anywhere, because the Senate will not be taking it up for vote, this plan could be considered a blueprint for how the GOP is likely to proceed with budget issues in the near-term.  Take a look at the article to see how the budget stacks up to ACP policy.
 
One last note, Internal Medicine 2012 will be taking place in New Orleans in a little under two weeks.  There will be several advocacy-related sessions there (you can find info about these in the column to the right), and we’ll be releasing a couple of new policy papers.  If you’re there, I hope to have a chance to say hi.

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