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
Today I’m at ACP’s Internal Medicine 2012 meeting in New Orleans. This week I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with many of you about ACP’s advocacy program and I hope to see more of you today and tomorrow. Earlier this week, ACP’s Board of Regents passed two new policy papers at their meeting. Later today I’ll be introducing them at press conferences with our President, Dr. Hood. In our next issue we’ll cover those briefings and the new papers for you.
Now on to our issue, today’s first story looks at a new program that NCQA is developing. NCQA already has in place a well-respected certification program for Patient Centered Medical Homes and they are now in the beginning stages of developing a new program that would recognize the contributions that medical home “neighbors” (internal medicine subspecialists and other specialty members) bring to the model. We’re excited about working with NCQA on this and believe this will be a major step forward for our subspecialty members.
Our second story looks at a study from the IMS Institute showing that patients have cut back on both doctor visits and prescription medicine in 2011. The implication is that the tough economic climate is still majorly impacting Americans’ ability to afford their health care.
Finally, our last story looks at a report from Moody’s showing that the repeal of health care reform has the potential to hurt hospitals. The report examines the financial impact that providing care for the uninsured would have on for-profit hospitals and it shows the cost for providing that care would continue to rise.
If you’re with us in New Orleans and you see me walking around the convention center today or tomorrow, I hope you’ll take a moment to stop by and say hi. Additionally, I hope you’ll take the time to visit the Washington office’s booth in the ACP island in the exhibit hall. There you’ll find information about our latest public policy positions and ACP staff members available to answer any questions you might have.
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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Americans Spending Less on Health Care |
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New study reports fewer doctor visits and prescription purchases in 2011
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Americans last year sought care from their primary care physician less often and used fewer prescription medications -- an indication that people are continuing to struggle to pay for needed health care, according to a new study.
Research done by... » Click to read the full article
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In focus
At Internal Medicine 2012? Visit the Advocacy Sessions
If you’re in New Orleans, be sure to check out some of the advocacy related sessions that are still going on. On 4/20, 7 to 8am in PN019, How Will the 2012 Elections Impact the U.S. Health Care System?, featuring Thomas Miller from the American Enterprise Institute and Dr. Kavita Patel from Brookings. Also on 4/20, 8:15 to 9:15am in PN008, The Role of Subspecialists in the Patient Centered Medical Home. And, on 4/21, 7 to 8am in PN017, Confronting the Need to Conserve Health Care Resources, featuring Stuart Gutterman from the Commonwealth Fund. |
AIMn Now on Twitter
Get the latest information about the College’s advocacy efforts and the Advocates for Internal Medicine network (AIMn) through a new Twitter feed, Advocates for IM. There you will find the latest information about the activities of the College’s government affairs office and the hot topics in Washington. |
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