Welcome to the ACP Advocate,
Today's first article provides the latest information on a last-ditch effort by Congress and the Trump administration to repeal the Affordable Care Act, replacing it with a bill, introduced by Senators Lindsay Graham and Bill Cassidy, that would cap and cut Medicaid, eliminate Medicaid expansion, provide block grants to states, and allow states to waive requirements that insurers cover essential benefits and preexisting conditions. While states would get more flexibility in the form of block grants, it would be at an enormous price: fewer federal dollars, especially for Medicaid expansion states; fewer protections for patients with medical conditions from high health care bills, and likely, more uninsured and higher premiums and deductibles for tens of millions of people. The bill is being rushed to a vote, expected to occur as early as next Wednesday, even without Congress knowing its full impact. ACP is asking its members to call their Senators to urge that they vote against the Graham-Cassidy bill. This may be the last chance we have to stop Congress from repealing the ACA.
Today's second article reviews how Congress and the White House continue to discuss the future of immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. ACP strongly opposes elimination of the DACA program in part because of the the detrimental effects that it could have on the nation's dwindling supply of doctors. Read about ACP's other concerns, too, in the article.
Our third article looks at how a congressional subcommittee that's working to reduce regulation in Medicare has found a willing partner in ACP, which believes the effort could provide significant relief to doctors. The legislators making up the "Medicare Red Tape Relief Project," reached out to clinicians for information about problems and solutions. ACP responded -- first with recommendations for reducing the burden -- and stands ready, now, to take part in "roundtable" discussions.
Our last article today notes that a surprise budget deal between congressional Democrats and the president has thrown a temporary lifeline to medical and health agencies, preserving crucial spending for a few more months. As you'll see in the article, while deeply concerned about what comes next, ACP sees the bright side of the reprieve.
Look for the next issue of the Advocate to be distributed on October 6. It will include an update on ACA Repeal activities and ACP's comments to CMS on the Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.
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 Speaks Out in Defense of 'Dreamers'
"Enormous harm" would result if country ends protection of immigrant children, College says
Sept. 22, 2017 (ACP) -- As Congress and the White House continue to debate the future of immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children, the American College of Physicians' stance on t... (read more)
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Relief From Regulatory Red Tape May Be on the Way
ACP has been working closely with congressional subcommittee seeking solutions
Sept. 22, 2017 (ACP) -- A congressional subcommittee that's working to reduce regulation in Medicare has found a willing partner in the American College of Physicians, which believes the effort could provide ... (read more)
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Funding for Health Agencies Secure Until Early December
Averting a government shutdown was good for patients and physicians alike, ACP notes
Sept. 22, 2017 (ACP) -- A surprise budget deal between congressional Democrats and the president has thrown a temporary lifeline to medical and health agencies, preserving crucial spending for a few more mont... (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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Waivers for Physicians in Hurricane-Disaster Areas Issued by CMS |
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CMS has provided a comprehensive list of information about waivers and other flexibilities for physicians in hurricane-disaster areas. ACP also has provided a source of information where its members can go to provide support.
And, physicians have again been addressing the ACP paper on climate change that appeared in the May 3, 2016 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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ACP urges Congress to Reauthorize NQF Funding |
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In a piece published this week on the Health Affairs Blog, ACP’s CEO, Dr. Darilyn Moyer, joined leadership from other major physician organizations and called on Congress to authorize the funding needed to continue the quality and performance measurement work of the National Quality Forum (NQF). ACP also recently joined with the other members of the Friends of NQF to send a letter to Speaker Ryan urging the same thing. Congress must approve funding by the end of September in order to ensure that the organization is able to carry on their work to improve quality and safety of care for patients. |
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