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
In our first story this week, I’m excited to tell you about a new House bill that proposes to eliminate the SGR. The Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act of 2012, introduced by Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.), would permanently eliminate the recurring payment problems resulting from the flawed SGR formula, while at the same time transitioning us to new payment models. For more on ACP’s take on the legislation, check out the Frequently Asked Questions about the legislation that are linked in the piece to the right of this letter.
Our second story this week is a wrap-up of the recent Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative meeting. The focus of the April meeting was on the role that patients and their families play in transitioning to the Patient Centered Home model of care.
Finally, our third story this week looks at a new study in the Journal of Health Economics. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the statistics that show that patients without insurance live sicker and die younger. This new study shows the detrimental effect that low rates of insurance can have on the health of even those of us who are insured.
Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at ACP Leadership Day, taking place in Washington on June 6 and 7. Look for our next issue on June 15 for coverage of the event.
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 focus
Learn more about new bill to eliminate SGR
Recently, the Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act of 2012 was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill proposes to eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, stabilize Medicare payments to physicians, and gradually transition away from fee-for-service and move toward new payment models. Click the above link to find out more about what ACP feels this legislation will do for physicians. |
AIMn 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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