Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Congress has a lot on its plate in the remaining months of 2015 and ACP is working to push members of Congress to make the best choices for physicians and patients alike on several important programs that need to be extended or fine-tuned. Check out today’s first article for details about ACP’s advocacy priorities, what lies ahead for Congress and how the two may interact.
Our second article today reviews ACP’s latest position paper, A Guide to the Use of Telemedicine in Primary Care Settings: An American College of Physicians Position Paper. While the paper points out that telemedicine may be here to stay, it also notes that many regulatory issues must be addressed before its benefits can be fully realized among primary care doctors.
Our final article today considers how ACP is reiterating its strong position on undocumented immigration: Mass deportation is hazardous to the country's health.
"We have got to be careful how we implement immigration reform because of the potential untoward effects on public health and the individuals and families involved," says Dr. Wayne J. Riley, ACP's president. "Our role as physicians is to worry about the health of the American public and all those who reside here."
Until our Oct. 2 issue, 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 |
| » |
'Tough Fights' Expected on Health Care Issues in Washington
ACP continues to press Congress and federal agencies for action on key concerns
Congress has a lot on its plate in the remaining months of 2015 -- funding of Planned Parenthood, U.S. infrastructure spending, the Iran nuclear deal and a potential federal government shutdown, among other... (read more)
|
|
| » |
House Call 3.0: As Telemedicine Takes Off, ACP Speaks Out
Regulatory issues need to catch up to technology for full benefits to be realized, College's new position paper notes
Telemedicine may be here to stay, but many regulatory issues must be addressed before its benefits can be fully realized among primary care doctors, according to a new position paper by the American College... (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 focus |
| » |
ACP Comments on Proposed Physician Fee Schedule |
|
ACP urged Medicare to support care coordination, advance care planning, and Patient-Centered Medical Homes in a 47-page letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed rule for the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. CMS will review comments from ACP and all other stakeholders and then issue a final rule in late October/early November—this final rule will lay out the 2016 payment policies for all physicians and other eligible professionals that participate in Medicare Part B. |
| » |
Tips to Get Ready for ICD-10 |
|
Is your practice ready for ICD-10? Have you tested with your clearinghouse and payers? Are you staffed up for October? Have you mapped your most common diagnoses from 9 to 10? Check out ACP's ICD-10 readiness tips by clicking above.
|
| » |
Apply now for the 2016 ACP Health Policy Internship |
|
ACP is now accepting applications for the 2016 Health Policy Internship for Residents/Fellows and Medical Student Members in Washington. This internship presents a unique opportunity for one Resident/Fellow Member and one Medical Student Member to attend ACP’s annual Leadership Day and develop legislative knowledge and advocacy skills through working directly with the College’s Washington office staff. Applications for the 2016 internship will be accepted through Oct. 30 and the internship will begin on May 2. |
|
|