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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Welcome to The ACP Advocate
Our first story for you today is another update on the health insurance exchanges. The website for the federal exchanged re-launched last weekend and things have been running more smoothly since then. We still anticipate that there may be some confusion as patients transition to new insurance, or insurance for the first time, starting in January. Read the article for more about what you may see in your practice.
The other story today is about a new study from the Commonwealth Fund that finds the U.S. health care system doesn’t compare well to other countries. The researchers found that the majority of their American participants think that our health care system needs a fundamental overhaul. For more details about how we stacked up against other countries, take a look at the article.
Also, last week the 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was released. In our next issue on the 22nd we’ll bring you an in-depth look at the new Fee Schedule and more about how things are progressing on fixing the payment problems caused by the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.
Until our next issue, 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 focus
Help Your Patients Enroll in ACA Exchanges
People looking for coverage starting Jan. 1 have until Dec. 23 to enroll through the health insurance exchanges. ACP can help you provide your patients with information about how to enroll in your state’s new health insurance marketplace. Find answers to questions your patients may be asking about enrolling or health care reform in general. Also find state-specific contact information for the marketplace in your area. While the deadline is the 23rd to have coverage be effective in January, enrollment in the exchanges will continue through March for people who still need to sign up. |
Become an Advocate for Internal Medicine
Join ACP’s Advocates for Internal Medicine Network (AIMn). You’ll find updates about the latest legislation affecting internists and be able to help contribute to ACP’s continued success on Capitol Hill. In addition, the program will provide you with legislative alerts designed to help you easily email or call your members of Congress to let them hear about the issues important to you and other internal medicine physicians. |
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