Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
See the explanation in the "in focus" section to the right to learn about our new look.
Our first article this issue is about how ACP is ramping up its efforts to keep parity between Medicare and Medicaid payments. ACP is pressing Congress to extend the policy that ensures that primary care physicians and internal medicine physicians are paid the same under Medicaid as they are for services provided through Medicare.
This issue's second article looks at how a revised Medicare bonus payment could be in the offing for primary care services.
Our final story this issue is taken from a recent National Journal article and looks at how the Senate finally took steps in early June to respond to the health care crisis at the Veterans Affairs Department, more than two months after reports of dozens of preventable veteran deaths were first brought to light.
Until our next issue - when we'll provide insight into the Supreme Court opinion on the Sebilus v. Hobby Lobby case - 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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Senate Passes Bill to Stop Preventable Veteran Deaths
House-Senate compromise needed before reform goes to Obama
From the National Journal publications, June 11, 2014
The Senate finally took steps in early June to respond to the health care crisis at the Veterans Affairs Department, more than two months... (read more)
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| In focus |
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The College Transitions to New Branding |
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At Internal Medicine 2014 in Orlando, the College unveiled a new logo and tagline: “Leading Internal Medicine, Improving Lives.” Dr. Steven Weinbereger, MD, FACP, executive vice president and CEO, introduced the new branding at the general session for all those in attendance. He noted that the, “new logo presents us in a contemporary, vibrant style, while maintaining a link to our rich history by incorporating the traditional element of the lamp of knowledge…our new tagline speaks to the accomplishments of our members as well as to ACP’s role in the field of internal medicine.”
The College also released a short video which describes the transition to the new branding in more detail. A press release of the event, as well as a link to the video, can be found here |
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Submit Meaningful Use Hardship Exception Applications by July 1, 2014 to Avoid Penalty |
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Eligible professionals that the deadline to submit a hardship exception application is approaching. An interactive tool is available to help eligible professionals determine if they will avoid upcoming 2015 and 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Program payment adjustments by demonstrating meaningful use, or if they should apply for a hardship exception. |
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Become an Advocate for Internal Medicine |
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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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| 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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