Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
With the clock ticking toward the potential demise of the Medicare primary care bonus at the end of 2015, ACP is stepping up its advocacy to keep the federal funding alive.
To increase the pressure on legislators to preserve the primary care bonus, ACP's Board of Governors is sending letters to all U.S. senators and dozens of representatives in the House. Check out today’s first article for details about ACP’s goal of showing Congress that physicians in their districts are concerned about the possible demise of the bonus and demand action.
Our second article today reviews ACP’s latest position paper, Retail Health Clinics: A Policy Position Paper of the American College of Physicians. Developed by ACP's Medical Practice and Quality Committee and published online earlier this week in Annals of Internal Medicine, the paper calls for a better-defined, more limited role for walk-in clinics. Of prime concern to ACP is the growing tendency for retail clinics to offer management of chronic conditions while the jury is still out on whether that's a good idea.
In our final article today, we discuss that the time is now to start having conversations with patients about drug costs. That’s one reason why ACP joined forces with the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing in early 2015. The group is heating up its efforts to make sure that the soaring cost of prescription drugs in the US is an issue in the upcoming presidential election.
Until our Oct. 30 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 |
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| In the news |
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ACP Acts to Avert an End to the Primary Care Bonus
Besides the College's letter-writing campaign, officials urge physicians to speak up
With the clock ticking toward the potential demise of the Medicare primary care bonus at the end of 2015, the American College of Physicians is stepping up its advocacy to keep the federal funding alive.read more)
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As Retail Health Clinics Expand, ACP Notes Potential Care Issues
New position paper calls for a better-defined, more limited role for walk-in clinics
If you drop by a Target, Walmart or CVS, you're apt to run across a retail health clinic offering medical treatment for a variety of minor conditions. Such clinics, however, have the potential to pose major... (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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ICD-10 is Live! |
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Is the code valid? Use a book or electronic tool to confirm valid vs. invalid codes. CMS has a free look-up tool here and ACP has a 'Commonly Used ICD-10-CM Codes' list here. |
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The Congressional Primary Care Caucus |
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ACP applauded earlier this month at the announcement of the formation of the Congressional Primary Care Caucus. Spearheaded by Representatives David Rouzer (R-NC) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), the Caucus is made up of a number of bipartisan members of Congress who are dedicated to advancing public policy that establishes, promotes, and preserves a well-trained, high-quality primary care workforce and delivery system as the foundation of our nation’s health care system. The Caucus will focus its efforts on an approach to advance primary care that is comprehensive, continuous, connected, and equitable to all. |
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Apply now for the 2016 ACP Health Policy Internship |
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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. |
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