Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Our first article explains why ACP is concerned that the Supreme Court's "Hobby Lobby" ruling could impede access to proven, effective health care, and could have broader implications than access to contraception.
This issue's second article provides insight into ACP's backing of broader, more aggressive tobacco regulation by the FDA. ACP agrees with an FDA proposal to include e-cigarettes, cigars and more within its jurisdiction.
Our final story this issue looks at the debate over spiraling drug costs that has been sparked by a pricey new hepatitis C medication. Everyone with any kind of involvement in the issue -- patients, doctors hospitals, insurers and pharmaceutical companies -- has a stake in the outcome.
Until our next issue -- which will take an indepth look at the proposed 2015 rule for physician reimbursement -- 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 focus |
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Physicians and teaching hospitals begin registering in CMS's Open Payments |
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Physicians and teaching hospitals must register with the Open Payments system if they want the opportunity to review and dispute data submitted by applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations (GPOs) prior to public posting on Sept. 30.
In order to review or dispute data submitted by industry for the 2013 reporting period, physicians must be registered and have reviewed any data reported about them on or before Aug. 27, 2014, the end of the initial 45-day review and dispute period. With identity verification as part of the registration process, which can take some time, CMS recommends completing the registration process as soon as possible and not waiting until the end of this initial 45-day review and dispute period. On July 22, CMS will host a National Provider Call. CMS also is developing resources to help guide industry, physicians, and teaching hospitals through the Open Payments review and dispute process. Registration for the call and the CMS resources may be found online.
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ONC Competition for “EHR Innovations for Improving Hypertension Challenge” |
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The ONC is seeking practices that have used clinical decision support (CDS) to implement the most clinically successful examples of an evidence-based blood pressure treatment protocol. Participants must demonstrate successful use of these tools in at least 2 additional practices. There will be four $5,000 and one $30,000 prize(s) awarded. |
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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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