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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Welcome to The ACP Advocate
First, I’d like to remind you that there are still a few days left to apply for the 2013 ACP Health Policy Internship in Washington. One associate member and one medical student member will each have the opportunity to come to the Washington office, experience working on Capitol Hill and participate in ACP’s annual Leadership Day. Additional information and the application form are available at the link to the right of this letter. Finally, if you’d like a firsthand account of participating in the internship I encourage you to read this piece by Athanasios Manole, one of our interns last spring.
On to the issue, our first story today takes a look back at the presidential candidate debates that have taken place over the last couple of weeks. Take a look at the story for more information about what the candidates had to say about health care and how it compares to ACP policy.
Our second story is about a new survey that ACP was instrumental in conducting. The survey shows that physicians believe that the electronic exchange of health information (such as, through EHR systems) has the potential to greatly improve patient care. Read the story to find about more about what physicians had to say on the topic.
The third story today takes a look at one of the consequences of the economic situation our country is facing: patients are avoiding treatment in order to avoid having to pay copays and deductibles. While this problem isn’t new, the magnitude of it is increasing.
And, finally, our last story updates you on sequestration and the other spending cuts that could result in a "fiscal cliff" in the federal budget come January. Read through the article to see the details and click on the link at the end to let Congress know about our concerns on the issue.
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
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In the news
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Co-Pays and Deductibles May Be a Barrier to Care |
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New survey finds that even those with insurance 'worry a lot' about paying for treatments
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Call it one of the big ironies of the modern health care system: Insured patients -- the ones who are supposed to be protected against huge medical expenses -- often avoid getting treatment or preventive care because they can't afford... » Click to read the full article
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In focus
Last Chance for the 2013 Health Policy Internship
Applications are due on Monday 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. |
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