Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Today’s first article features an update about CPC+, the newest initiative put forth by CMS that allows physicians to access resources that will enable them to truly transform their practices in a way that benefits their patients. It’s set to launch Jan. 1, 2017 but the deadline for participation comes up very soon – on Sept. 15, 2016.
See the article and links for details about the program and signing up.
Our other article today notes how a new law, CARA, that cracks down on opioid abuse -- passed by Congress and signed by the president -- marks a huge win for ACP. Applauding the bipartisan, federal action that has long been an organizational priority, ACP now urges Congress to “finish the job” by providing adequate funding.
Our next ACP Advocate newsletter will be distributed on Sept. 9.
For more coverage of what's happening in Washington, take a look at my award-winning blog, The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty. Recent blogs have been about “government-run” health care and about the VA’s proposal for expanding nurses’ “scope of practice.” 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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With CPC+, Physicians and Patients Alike Can Benefit, ACP Says
Members in 14 regions have until mid-September to sign up for new primary care initiative
The newest initiative put forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allows physicians to access resources that will enable them to truly transform their practices in a way that benefits their p... (read more)
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New Law Takes Aim at Opioid Addiction Crisis
ACP applauds federal action and urges Congress to 'finish the job' and provide adequate funding
A new law that cracks down on opioid abuse -- passed by Congress and signed by the president -- marks "a huge win" for the American College of Physicians, according to Dr. Nitin Damle, ACP's president.
... (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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Cost-Sharing paper |
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“Addressing the Increasing Burden of Health Insurance Cost Sharing,” ACP’s most recent position paper, says cost sharing -- particularly deductibles -- may cause patients to forgo or delay care, including medically necessary services.
ACP says that a different cost-sharing approach is needed to ensure that vulnerable people can afford medically necessary care in the face of rising health coverage costs and stagnant wages.
The five recommendations in the paper address ways that cost sharing can be made more equitable in the private market by reducing overall health care spending, designing insurance plans that allow access to high-value services, enhancing financial subsidies for marketplace-based insurance plans, improving outreach and health insurance literacy and education, and advocating for updated research on the effects of patient cost sharing.
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2016 EVP report |
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ACP’s 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Executive Vice President is an interactive review of ACP's programs, initiatives, and accomplishments over the past fiscal year. It offers highlights, including information about clinical recommendations and policy papers, the High Value Care initiative, and advocacy efforts to represent member interests and needs.
The report also includes a brief video message from Dr. Weinberger as he prepares to step down as ACP's Executive Vice President and CEO in September.
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Notification Procedures for Outpatients Receiving Observation Services |
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Enacted Aug. 6, 2015, the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act) requires hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) to provide notification to individuals receiving observation services as outpatients for more than 24 hours explaining the status of the individual as an outpatient, not an inpatient, and the implications of such status.
The standardized notice, the MOON, is going through the Paperwork Reduction Act process, thus affording the public an opportunity to comment on the MOON. The 30-day public comment period begins when the final rule is published.
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