Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
If you have been following press accounts and social media, you are probably aware that there has been activity that could result in a vote on SGR repeal before the current SGR "patch" expires on April 1 – as soon as next Tuesday!
Many of the details are provided in my most recent blog, a statement from ACP President Dr. David Fleming, and a letter that ACP sent to all members of the House of Representatives. We need your help in getting the bill passed by the House, and then the Senate! Click on this link to take action. Up-to-date details will be provided on the ACP website. Look for more in-depth coverage in the April 3 issue of the Advocate.
Good news may have been sparse during last year's start-up for open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, but the latest go-round has brought better news: Millions of people have obtained insurance coverage for 2015, and an extension is paving the way for even more to get policies.
Today’s first article examines the latest ACA open enrollment figures and report.
Our second article considers a new report by the Association of American Medical Colleges and how it paints a slightly improved but still startling picture of the severe doctor shortage looming in the United States. The new report underscores the need for more primary care physicians.
And in our third article, we focus on how ACP has long been a leading voice in the battle against gun violence in the United States. It has now joined a growing coalition of health professionals and attorneys to change the law and stop the death and devastation wrought by firearms.
ACP also is working to expand the coalition, having reached out to numerous organizations in hopes of creating a groundswell of support.
Until our next issue – which will consider the latest on an SGR repeal – 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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Open Enrollment Sign-Ups Spark Hope Among Health Care Experts
More efficient system coupled with available subsidies get credit for enrollment numbers
Good news may have been sparse during last year's start-up for open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, but the latest go-round has brought better news: Millions of people have obtained insurance cove... (read more)
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ACP Joins Forces With Health and Legal Groups to Fight Gun Violence
Coalition plans to focus on the public health aspect of firearms-related injuries and deaths
Long a leading voice in the battle against gun violence in the United States, the American College of Physicians has now joined a growing coalition of health professionals and attorneys to change the law an... (read more)
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| In focus |
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Heading to IM 2015? Check out these Health Policy courses |
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On Fri. May 1, Hot Topics in Health Policy (8:15-9:15 Rm 153). On Sat., May 2, ACA Health Coverage Expansion: One and a Half Year Progress Report, featuring representatives from CMS and DC Health Exchange (9:30-10:30 Rm 156), History of Politics in American Medicine (4:00-5:00 Rm 157). |
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Heading to IM 2015? Check out these Practice Management courses |
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On Thur., April 30: Small Practice Strategies (7-8 Rm 157), Making Practice Patient Centered (8:15-9:15 Rm 160), Inpatient Coding (11:15-12:45 Rm 156), Advanced Coding (2:15-3:45 Rm 157). On Fri., May 1: Thriving in a Value-Based Payment World (11:15-12:45 Rm 157), ICD-10 (2:15-3:45 Rm 253). On Sat., May 2: Implementing Immunizations in Practice (7-8 Rm 153), Care Coordination Btwn Primary Care and Subspecialists (8:15-9:15 Rm 157), New Payment Models (11:15-12:45 Rm 157), Coding and Billing 101 (2:15-3:45 Rm 157). |
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Heading to IM 2015? Check out these Health IT courses |
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On Thur., April 30: Engaging the e-Patient (11:15-12:45 Rm 153), EHR Optimization (2:15-3:45 Rm 153). Fri., May 1: There's an App for That (11:15-12:45 Rm 153), Eisele Lecture: Leveraging Health IT to Improve Safety & Quality (8:15-9:15 Rm 157), Population Management: Leveraging Your EHR (2:15-3:45 Rm 153). Sate., My 2: Hot Topics in Medical Informatics (8:15-9:15 Rm 153), Choosing Quality Measure & Clinical Decision Support (11:15-12:45 Rm 153), Meaningful Use Sate 2 (2:15-3:45 Rm 153). |
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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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