Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Our first article this issue looks at how value trumps volume in the new Medicare plans to dramatically change the way physicians are reimbursed.
Instead of paying physicians and hospitals for individual services, such as an office visit, surgery, or blood test, regardless of whether the service helps a patient, payments will be largely tethered to outcomes, or the value of care that patients receive.
ACP President David Fleming notes that though the goals established by the government are ambitious, they are, in fact, achievable. See if you agree.
Our second article points out that while Congress may be in gridlock, ACP is hoping to coax gears into moving again this year. ACP has set four legislative priorities for 2015 and explains them to members of the House and Senate in extensive letters.
Sent by Dr. Fleming, the letters urge the legislators to not let partisan differences over the Affordable Care Act stand in the way of other needed health care reforms.
The final article in this issue explains how ACP found ways to make a difference in 2014. Dysfunction in the nation's capital last year may have impeded progress on many fronts, but ACP still achieved significant wins for its members. After you read this article, you’ll want to be sure to check out “more information” too.
Be sure to let me know how you feel about the advocacy priorities we list and the advocacy achievements we've detailed today at: TheACPAdvocate@acponline.org
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.
Yours truly,
Bob Doherty
Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
American College of Physicians
|
|
| In the news |
| » |
Value Trumps Volume in New Medicare Payment Plan
Achieving new goals and maintaining quality patient care will require strong partnership with physicians, ACP experts stress
Medicare plans to dramatically change the way it reimburses physicians, transitioning to a system that rewards value over volume.
The intended outcome: better care for less money.
"Our ... (read more)
|
|
| » |
ACP Cites Top Goals for Congressional Action
Letters to legislators seek resolution on four key health care issues
Congress may be in gridlock, but the American College of Physicians is hoping to coax gears into moving again this year. ACP has set four legislative priorities for 2015 and explained them to members of the... (read more)
|
|
| » |
ACP Found Ways to Make a Difference in 2014
Physicians stand to benefit from an array of regulatory changes, College executive says
Dysfunction in the nation's capital last year impeded progress on many fronts, but the American College of Physicians still "achieved significant wins for our members," said Bob Doherty, ACP's senior vice p... (read more)
|
|
|
|
 |
| In focus |
| » |
Report: The Patient-Centered Medical Home's Impact on Cost & Quality |
|
This year’s Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) Annual Review of the Evidence summarizes new results from primary care patient-centered medical home (PCMH) initiatives. Selected cost and utilization outcomes from a combination of peer-reviewed studies, state program evaluations, and industry publications are aggregated to present an overview of PCMH and primary care innovations happening across the country. |
| » |
ACP Joins Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing |
|
ACP has joined the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP), a broad-based coalition working for solutions to skyrocketing prescription medicine prices. ACP President David A. Fleming notes that, 'The pricing of specialty drugs increasingly lacks transparency and rationality,' which the coalition seeks to address. |
| » |
Open Enrollment Draws to a Close |
|
The open enrollment period to become insured on the health insurance marketplace will come to a close on Sunday, February 15th. After this date, enrollment in 2015 plans will be limited to those that qualify for the Special Enrollment Period, which is available for individuals and families who experience major life events following the open enrollment period. Individuals who have already enrolled in a 2015 plan can still make changes to their plan up through February 15th as well. ACP resources on ACA Enrollment can be found here. |
|
| 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. |
|