Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Our first article this issue looks at how the Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing new regulations that will allow U.S. military veterans to turn to private doctors if they cannot receive timely care from VA hospitals.
ACP has weighed in on these regulations, offering suggestions that could improve the coordination of care between private physicians and VA doctors.
"ACP recognizes it's important that military veterans have timely health care services," said Dr. Nitin Damle, chair of ACP’s Medical Practice and Quality Committee. "We wanted to make sure the new law that passed really reflected some of our important concerns around veterans."
In a September letter to the Veterans Affairs secretary, Damle emphasized ACP's "strong natural ties" to the Veterans Health Administration. He noted that many members work as VA doctors, while others treat veterans receiving health care outside the VA.
ACP "supports maintaining the integrity of the VHA system of care and the adequate appropriation of funds by Congress to allow its provision of timely and high-quality health care services," Damle wrote.
This issue’s second article describes how the shouting isn't quite over and the glitches aren't quite gone, but the verdict is in: As open enrollment begins for the second year, the Affordable Care Act is a success by several measures.
The federal government estimates that 7.3 million people are now enrolled in insurance plans through the state and federal exchanges. And, despite intense controversy and opposition in conservative-dominated states, more than 5 million new people are now on the rolls of Medicaid. Meanwhile, the exchanges are offering more insurance options for 2015.
"We have 10 million people insured now who were not insured prior to the implementation of the ACA," said Dr. David Fleming, president of ACP. "There are challenges out there that are making it more difficult for the full rollout to occur, but it's the law of the land, and it's been successful. We feel that, in general, it's doing well, and it's getting well-established as part of the social construct."
The article also notes some of the obstacles facing health officials as Americans next month begin applying for coverage through marketplaces for the year 2015.
Until our next 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 Adds Its Voice to Issues Surrounding Veterans' Health Care
With new regulations in the works, College hopes to improve coordination between private physicians and VA system
The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing new regulations that will allow U.S. military veterans to turn to private doctors if they cannot receive timely care from VA hospitals.
The American... (read more)
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Numbers Are Up, But Challenges Remain for Affordable Care Act
Continuing Medicaid expansion and meeting increased demand for care are among items still on the to-do list, experts say
The shouting isn't quite over and the glitches aren't quite gone, but the verdict is in: As open enrollment begins for the second year, the Affordable Care Act is a success by several measures.
Th... (read more)
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| In focus |
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Hardship Exception Applications |
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CMS is announcing its intent to reopen the submission period for hardship exception applications for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to avoid the2015 Medicare payment adjustments for not demonstrating meaningful use of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT). The new deadline will be November 30, 2014. Previously, the hardship exception application deadline was April 1, 2014 for eligible hospitals and July 1, 2014 for eligible professionals. |
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Students to Service Program |
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If you are a student in your final year at accredited U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical school, are committed to primary care and have eligible student loans, you can apply to the NHSC Students to Service (S2S) Program. If selected, you can receive $120,000 in loan repayment for committing to serve at an approved NHSC site full time for at least 3 years (or half time for at least 6 years) following the completion of a primary care residency. The FY 2015 S2S LRP application cycle opened on September 17, 2014.
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Accepting Applications: ACP Health Policy Internship Program |
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The American College of Physicians is pleased to offer the Health Policy Internship for Residents/Fellows and Medical Student Members. This internship represents a unique opportunity to develop legislative knowledge and advocacy skills by working directly with ACP's Washington, D.C., staff and participating in ACP’s annual Leadership Day.
The ACP Health Policy Internship provides a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine.
The deadline for applications is October 20, 2014. |
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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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