Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Though the race for the presidency dominated center stage in last month's election, voters across the country also had their say on a range of initiatives at the state level.
Today’s first article explains the outcome of state ballot measures that dealt with drug pricing, single-payer coverage, medical marijuana, gun-related injuries and deaths, and physician-assisted suicides.
Today’s second article examines the new Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health: Facing Addiction in America. The new report echoes ACP’s calls for expanded access to treatment and integration of behavioral health into primary care.
People in the United States take more prescription opiates than smoke tobacco. One in four adolescents and adults reports binge drinking at least once in the past month. Fewer than half of those who suffer from substance abuse and another mental illness get treatment for either.
The final ACP Advocate newsletter of 2016 will be distributed on Dec. 16. The current Continuing Resolution that allows the government to function is scheduled to expire on Dec. 9. We’re set to cover the developments of what’s coming next.
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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Health Care Issues on State Ballots Get Mixed Reviews
Drug pricing and single-payer coverage issues fail, while medical marijuana and right-to-die measures pass
Dec. 2, 2016 (ACP) -- Though the race for the presidency dominated center stage in last month's election, voters across the country also had their say on a range of initiatives at the state level.
K... (read more)
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Surgeon General Urges Stepped-Up Attention to Addiction Issues
New report echoes ACP's calls for expanded access to treatment and integration of behavior health into primary care
Dec. 2, 2016 (ACP) -- More people in the United States take prescription opiates than smoke tobacco. One in four adolescents and adults reports binge drinking at least once in the past month. Fewer than half ... (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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College Comments on Proposed CURES Legislation |
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This week, ACP sent a letter to leadership in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate commenting on the recently introduced 21st Century Cures Act. |
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New ACP Position on the Gender Pay Gap |
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At its most recent November Board of Regents meeting, the ACP adopted a new policy position advocating for gender pay equality, physician compensation transparency, and further research into the impact of the gender pay inequity. |
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ACP Calls for End of 'Cold Calling' |
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In addition to speaking out on gender equality, ACP also adopted a new position opposing patient- and physician-targeted 'cold calling' at their November Board of Regents meeting. Physicians are worried the interference in the patient-physician relationship could result in inappropriate treatment and the addition of unnecessary costs to the health care system. |
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Leadership Day 2017 Set for May 23 & 24 |
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Leadership Day, ACP's annual two-day advocacy event in Washington, enables members from across the country to bring ACP's issues to U.S. lawmakers. It's a great opportunity for ACP and its members to bring policy priorities to Congress and try to influence the legislative process on behalf of internal medicine. |
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