Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
We have a lot to cover this issue.
Today’s first article looks at the president's federal budget proposal. With billions at stake for health care, ACP is keeping a close eye on negotiations between the administration and Congress.
One of ACP's priorities in the negotiations is to retain the $14 billion allocated over 10 years to encourage and enhance the training of primary care practitioners. ACP also wants to see an $810 million investment in the National Health Service Corps, which provides scholarships and forgives loans in support of primary care physicians who agree to work in underserved communities.
Our second article considers the case known as King v. Burwell. Committed to advocacy for doctors and patients, ACP prefers to focus on legislation and stay out of the courtroom. This year, however, ACP has planted a flag in the highest court in the land in a mission to protect health care for all Americans.
In conjunction with other medical organizations, ACP filed a "friend of the court" brief in the high-profile case that threatens to topple one of the cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act.
And in our third article, we focus on the fact that ICD-10 is set to take effect in 207 days. Now it's time for physician practices to be proactive and get prepared – and ACP has resources and advice at the ready to help physicians prepare for the large-scale changes they must make so that their clinical documentation will meet the new level of detail and specificity that will be required for reimbursement.
Our final story today profiles Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, M.D., the newly minted U.S. surgeon general. A member of ACP, he has a long list of priorities he plans to address as the country's top medical officer.
In an interview last week with journalists, including a representative of The Advocate, Murthy said he will focus on such issues as immunizations, substance abuse and tobacco use, the stigma around mental health and the training of the next generation of physicians. He also wants to modernize how the office of the surgeon general communicates with the public and works with communities.
Until our next issue – which will consider the latest ACA enrollment – and 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.
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
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| In the news |
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ACP Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Health Insurance Subsidies
By jointly filing 'friend of the court' brief, College hopes to prevent harm to physicians and patients alike
Committed to advocacy for doctors and patients, the American College of Physicians prefers to focus on legislation and stay out of the courtroom. This year, however, ACP has planted a flag in the highest co... (read more)
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Counting Down to ICD-10
ACP offers resources to help practices achieve a smooth transition
Consider this number: 207. That's roughly how many days remain till ICD-10 codes become the rule.
After a series of delays over the past few years, the deadline for implementation is now firmly... (read more)
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New Surgeon General Urges Doctors to Speak Out About Vaccinations
Dr. Vivek Murthy, an ACP member, also intends to focus on obesity and chronic disease
Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, M.D., the newly minted U.S. surgeon general -- and a member of the American College of Physicians -- has a long list of priorities he plans to address as the country's top medical... (read more)
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| In focus |
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CMS Extends Meaningful Use and PQRS 2014 Attestation Deadlines |
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CMS announced the extension of submission deadlines for the Electronic Health Record Incentive Program (Meaningful Use), and for reporting PQRS via an EHR or Data Subimssion vendor or a qualified clinical data registry (using QRDA III format). The submission deadlines have been extended to March 20, 2015. Please view ACP's Physician and Practice Timeline for more specifics. |
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Register for End-to-End ICD-10 Testing |
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CMS is currently soliciting volunteers for their second round of end-to-end, ICD-10 claims testing. Practices must register on their Medicare Administrative Contractor's (MAC) website by March 13th, the testing will occur from July 20th through July 24th. |
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| 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. |
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