Medicaid Expansion; New Phase of EHR Project; ACP Candidates for Congress

If the email below is not displayed correctly on your smartphone or email viewer, click here.
To ensure that you always receive our newsletter, please add the e-mail address "ACPAdvocate@healthbanks.com" to your address book.

October 05, 2012
In this issue
» Half of U.S. States Still on Fence About Participating in Medicaid Expansion

» New Phase of Electronic Records Project Focuses on Improving Care

» Physicians Vie for Election This Fall to U.S. Congress



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.

Welcome to The ACP Advocate

Today’s first story is a look at how and why states are determining participation in a vast expansion of Medicaid. The varying actions are a result of the U.S. Supreme Court action in June that upheld the ACA under Congress's power to levy taxes, but weakened the law regarding Medicaid expansion. ACP is pressing states to take part in the expansion to further an ACP goal of more than 20 years: extending access to health coverage to everyone.

Our second story today features explanations by ACP experts on requirements, incentives and more on a new phase of an electronic records project that focuses on improving care.  This is a complicated issue. Take a look at the story for more detail about the latest efforts to move physicians from paper to EHRs.  

Today's last story profiles three ACP members vying for election this fall to the U.S. Congress. They are  among the 28 physicians hoping in 32 more days to add more real-world expertise to health care decision making with their votes as federal lawmakers.

Finally, I want to call your attention to a review  of an intern's contributions in our office last spring.
If you are or know of a medical student or associate ACP member interested in the internship next spring, look for further information next to this column. 

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.

And, 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 

 


In the news
» Half of U.S. States Still on Fence About Participating in Medicaid Expansion
  ACP leader calls expansion 'right thing to do' for country and uninsured residents
 

Though the U.S. Supreme Court found in June that the Affordable Care Act passed constitutional muster under Congress's power to levy taxes, the court also weakened the law in one key aspect: ruling that states' participation in a vast e... » Click to read the full article


» New Phase of Electronic Records Project Focuses on Improving Care
  ACP experts explain requirements, incentives and more
 

Efforts to move physicians from paper to electronic health records are about to enter a new phase.

Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs will place more emphasis on the use of these e... » Click to read the full article


» Physicians Vie for Election This Fall to U.S. Congress
  ACP members are among those hoping to add more real-world expertise to health care decision making
 

As a senior surgeon with the U.S. military during the invasion of Iraq, Dr. Manan Trivedi commanded a medical team that treated more than 1,2... » Click to read the full article


In focus
The electronic exchange of health information
will have a positive impact on improving the quality of patient care, coordinating care, meeting the demands of new care models, and participating in third-party reporting and incentive programs, say an overwhelming majority of clinicians in a survey released this week.

Apply for the 2013 Health Policy Internship
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 ACP Health Policy Internship program. The internship, which takes place in spring 2013, provides one Associate member and one Medical Student member with opportunities to gain legislative knowledge and advocacy skills while working with the College’s Washington office to prepare for ACP’s annual Leadership Day. Applications are due by Oct. 22.


If you don't want to receive this newsletter anymore, unsubscribe here.

© Copyright 2012 American College of Physicians. All rights reserved.
Washington Office | 25 Massachusetts Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001-7401 | Phone: (800) 338-2746

Featuring articles produced by HealthDay's Custom Content Division


Delivered by HEALTHBANKS, INC. • 15 New England Executive Park • Burlington, MA 01803