Welcome to the ACP Advocate,
Prospects of a federal government shutdown on April 29 remain unclear, but health care issues once again are playing a role in the process.Today's first article examines how one key element in negotiations has been the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies. We take a look today at what is at stake and how it could affect ACP's members.
Today's second article tells how the ongoing transformation of health care has led to confusion for U.S. physicians and their staffs -- prompting ACP to offer a hefty dose of assistance. A series of "practice transformation" tools and resources is available to ACP members as they face the new requirements of value-based payments. The ACP Advocate will profile these services in a series of articles -- beginning today -- over the next few months.
To start the series, our final article today provides an in-depth look at ACP's new Quality Payment Advisor. The new tool provides a clear, concise and helpful guide to a system that often seems utterly impenetrable. ACP has a whole lot of answers for physicians with questions about the new Quality Payment Program put forth by CMS.
The next issue of the Advocate will be distributed on May 5. We're planning to let you know about the outcome of a possible government shutdown, which is covered in today's first story. And, if there are any new developments on the ACA, you know we'll be all over that. Also, we'll look at the chronic care bill that's been reintroduced in Congress.
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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Possible Government Shutdown Looms for Month's End
Affordable Care Act subsidies are among health care issues involved in negotiations
April 21, 2017 (ACP) -- Prospects of a federal government shutdown at the end of April remain unclear, but health care issues once again are playing a role in the process.
"Right now, we're hopeful ... (read more)
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ACP Offers a Helping Hand to Navigate Practice Transformations
Occasional series of Advocate articles will detail assistance available to members
April 21, 2017 (ACP) -- The ongoing transformation of health care has led to confusion and consternation for U.S. physicians and their staffs -- prompting the American College of Physicians to offer a hefty d... (read more)
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Have Questions About Medicare's New Quality Payment Program?
ACP has a new online tool to help physician practices get up and running successfully in the new system
April 21, 2017 (ACP) -- The American College of Physicians has a whole lot of answers for physicians with questions about the new Quality Payment Program put forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser... (read more)
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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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| In focus |
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Support the April 22 March for Science |
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Tomorrow's March for Science will take place in more than 400 cities worldwide. ACP encourages members and all internists, as part of the scientific community, to provide their support for scientific research, evidence-based policies, and the critical role of science in today's world. Click on the headline above for online registration and information about March for Science locations. |
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May 1: Leadership Day Registration Deadline |
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You have just 10 days until the May 1 deadline to register for this year's Leadership Day. ACP's annual two-day advocacy event in Washington, D.C. enables members from across the country to bring ACP's issues to lawmakers. It's a great opportunity for ACP members to bring policy priorities to Congress and try to influence the legislative process on behalf of internal medicine.
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ACP Letter to Congressional Leadership Reiterated Opposition to AHCA |
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ACP President Jack Ende, MD, MACP, sent a letter on behalf of ACP members to congressional leaders on April 7. He told them ACP 'strongly believes in the first, do no harm principle. Therefore, we continue to urge that Congress move away from the fundamentally flawed and harmful policies that would result from the American Health Care Act and from the changes under consideration that would make the bill even worse for patients. We urge Congress to instead start over and seek agreement on bipartisan ways to improve and build on the ACA. The College welcomes the opportunity to share our ideas for bipartisan solutions that would help make health care better, more accessible, and more affordable for patients rather than imposing great harm on them as the AHCA would do.' |
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