Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
American physicians are besieged by piles of forms to fill out and send in. Even when documents can be sent online, the massive requirements from federal programs have become overwhelming. ACP is launching a new initiative -- Patients Before Paperwork -- that will push for reform through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. Check out today’s first article for details about Patients Before Paperwork and just what the initiative is set to include.
Our second article today reviews ACP’s recent letter to California Governor Jerry Brown advising him to veto a bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide. ACP sees physician-assisted suicide as abandonment of the dying patient. It is not the role of the physician to give individuals control over the cause and timing of death — the medicalization of suicide, ACP told Brown.
Today’s final article considers how ACP intends to keep helping states find ways to open Medicaid to more residents. Buoyed by new U.S Census data showing a pronounced uptick in the number of insured Americans in 2014, ACP is recharging its efforts to make sure the remaining uninsured get coverage, too.
Until our Oct. 16 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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Pushing Away the Paperwork Burden
New initiative by ACP aims to reduce administrative hassles facing physicians today
Paper here, paper there, paper everywhere: Fifteen years into the high-tech 21st century, American physicians are besieged by piles of forms to fill out and send in. Even when documents can be sent online, ... (read more)
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ACP Urges California Governor to Reject Assisted-Suicide Bill
Physicians should focus on ensuring access to palliative care and hospice, rather than helping patients end their lives, College maintains
California Gov. Jerry Brown has yet to decide whether to sign a bill that would make the Golden State the latest to embrace physician-assisted suicide.
The American College of Physicians, however,... (read more)
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Number of Americans Without Health Insurance Continues to Drop
ACP intends to keep helping states find ways to open Medicaid to more residents
Buoyed by new U.S Census data showing a pronounced uptick in the number of insured Americans in 2014, the American College of Physicians is recharging its efforts to make sure the remaining uninsured get co... (read more)
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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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| In focus |
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ICD-10 is Live! |
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Is the code valid? Use a book or electronic tool to confirm valid vs. invalid codes. CMS has a free look-up tool here and ACP has a 'Commonly Used ICD-10-CM Codes' list here. |
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CMS Seeks Feedback on Payment Programs |
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CMS has asked for feedback on how to implement value-based payment programs resulting from the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate. CMS is seeking comments on both the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs), including how to credit physicians on meaningful use measures. Comments are due on October 30, 2015. |
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Apply now for the 2016 ACP Health Policy Internship |
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ACP is now accepting applications for the 2016 Health Policy Internship for Residents/Fellows and Medical Student Members in Washington. This internship presents a unique opportunity for one Resident/Fellow Member and one Medical Student Member to attend ACP’s annual Leadership Day and develop legislative knowledge and advocacy skills through working directly with the College’s Washington office staff. Applications for the 2016 internship will be accepted through Oct. 30 and the internship will begin on May 2. |
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