A Final Rule on ACOs, Richard Neubauer Award Recipient, and ACP at the AMA Annual Meeting

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June 26, 2015

Welcome to The ACP Advocate,

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that President Obama’s health care law may provide nationwide tax subsidies to help poor and middle-class people buy health insurance.

In the opinion issued yesterday morning, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote the majority opinion in the 6-3 decision, and the court’s three most conservative members — Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. — dissented.

ACP put out this statement immediately after the Supreme Court decision was revealed.

While the next issue of the Advocate will provide ACP reaction and analysis, be sure to check out the 
College’s home page, the Advocacy landing page, and my blog, written just after the SCOTUS decision was revealed, for the latest information on the Supreme Court decision.

Our first story today examines adjustments to the regulations governing Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). They were released earlier this month by CMS and are seen as a positive step by ACP officials.


Our second article provides a profile of Dr. Robert Allison, this year's recipient of the Richard Neubauer Advocate for Internal Medicine Award. Dr. Allison was singled out for the role he has played in support of ACP’s advocacy efforts on the federal level as well as in his home state of South Dakota.

Our final article today tells how ACP played a major role at this year's annual meeting of the American Medical Association: Two members were elected to top positions in AMA councils, and ACP found plenty of synergy with the country's largest physician organization on topics like e-cigarettes, telemedicine, vaccinations and coding reform.

Until our July 17 issue – which will look at the Supreme Court ruling – 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

In the news
» Medicare Agency Tweaks Its Rule on ACOs

Changes affect time allowed to adjust to risk options and subspecialists' participation in multiple ACOs

Adjustments to the regulations governing Accountable Care Organizations, released this month by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are seen as positive steps by ACP officials.

The "... (read more)

» Dr. Robert Allison Receives ACP's Advocate of the Year Award

South Dakota physician honored for his work on the state and federal level on behalf of College priorities

To Dr. Robert Allison, advocating for legisla... (read more)

» At AMA Annual Meeting, ACP Finds Synergy With Most Priorities

Stands on immunization, telemedicine and ICD-10 conversion in sync with College's positions

The American College of Physicians played a major role at this year's annual meeting of the American Medical Association: Two members were elected to top positions in AMA councils, and ACP found plenty of s... (read more)

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.
In this issue
» Medicare Agency Tweaks Its Rule on ACOs
» Dr. Robert Allison Receives ACP's Advocate of the Year Award
» At AMA Annual Meeting, ACP Finds Synergy With Most Priorities

In focus
» Upcoming PQRS Deadline for Group Practices
Group practices that want to participate in the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) using the group practice reporting option (GPRO) for 2015 are required to register by June 30. The PQRS GPRO is available to practices with two or more eligible professionals. Physicians reporting as individuals do not need to register at this time. All physicians will receive Medicare payment adjustments in the future for non-participation in PQRS in 2015.


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