2010 Accomplishments in Advocacy
The ACR will Increase its Influence with the Federal Government to Improve Policy Outcomes.
Through the ACR Government Affairs Committee, the ACR works throughout the year to advocate and educate the federal government to improve policy outcomes.
Fighting For Rheumatologists
The ACR continues to fight the elimination of consultation codes on many fronts. This year, the ACR sent numerous letters to Congress and met with Donald Berwick, MD, MPP, director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to educate them about the negative impact the elimination of these codes have on rheumatologists. ACR also continues to work with other specialty societies to address this issue.
To combat the Food and Drug Administration's decision to grant market exclusivity to one company for a drug that was 200 years old, the ACR immediately started a dialogue with the FDA and has encouraged other manufacturers to apply for FDA approval for the drug.
The ACR continues to work on a variety of legislative issues affecting the rheumatology community. With guidance from the government affairs committee and the list of policy statements created annually, letters were sent to Congress and various administration offices so that the voice of rheumatology can be heard. You can read the 2010 letters and ACR policy statements online.
Pushing to Repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate
Congress realizes the sustainable growth rate formula is flawed; however, the problem persists. It was a stressful year for physicians as they had to endure multiple short-term patches and two retroactive fixes.
In response to the multiple short-term fixes, the ACR organized "I Need My Rheumatologist!" Call-In Day on November 10 to mobilize rheumatology patients, health professionals and doctors. The rheumatology community, including eight patient organizations
, joined forces to flood Capitol Hill with over 2,700 phone calls and 600 e-mails telling Congress to fix the SGR. In December 2010, Congress finally passed a 12-month extension of current Medicare rates through December 31, 2011.
The ACR supports a permanent repeal of the SGR and replacing it with a formula that stabilize the Medicare program to ensure fair physician reimbursement and patient access to quality care.
Visiting Capitol Hill to Advance Rheumatology Issues
ACR and ARHP members, and their patients, visited over 200 U.S. House of Representatives and Senate offices to discuss the legislative issues important to the College during Advocates for Arthritis, the ACR's annual visit to Washington, D.C.
Because of the extremely pressing issues in 2010, the ACR held a second Advocates for Arthritis in September to remind Congress of the issues affecting the rheumatology community.
Advocates for Arthritis has officially been moved to September of each year so tentatively mark your calendars to attend the 2011 fly-in.
In addition to Advocates for Arthritis, the ACR board of directors convened in Washington, D.C. in May. While there, board members visited Capitol Hill to support their colleagues and patients through advocacy, meeting with Congress to discuss the College's top legislative priorities.
Awarding Public Leadership in Rheumatology
The ACR's Government Affairs Committee awarded its annual Award for Public Leadership in Rheumatology to Senators Kit Bond (R-MO) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). The ACR Award for Public Leadership in Rheumatology recognizes public figures that make extraordinary contributions in advancing public understanding and awareness of issues affecting the rheumatology community. Senator Bond sponsored the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act of 2009 and has been a long-time supporter of arthritis legislation. Senator Lincoln sponsored legislation to reduce the drastic reimbursement cuts for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. These were major legislative issues for the ACR and both initiatives had some success in the final health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that passed in March.
One section of the law authorizes the establishment of a loan repayment program for pediatric subspecialists and mental and behavioral health service providers who agree to work in medically underserved areas. Another section of the law restores payments for DXA services furnished during 2010 and 2011 to 70 percent of the Medicare rates paid in 2006.
Supporting Lawmakers Who Support Rheumatology
RheumPAC, the ACR's non-partisan political action committee, exists to maintain and elect pro-rheumatology and physician candidates to Congress and ensures the ACR is involvement in health care reform discussions. In 2010, RheumPAC representatives attended important fundraisers and educated key congressional members on the ACR's legislative priorities.
With the continued support and commitment of the membership, RheumPAC raised $72,598 in 2010. This support allowed RheumPAC to contribute $57,000 to 33 candidate campaigns, providing access to key policymakers and enhancing the College's presence on Capitol Hill.
With 2010 being an important election year, RheumPAC focused its efforts on supporting candidates who recognize the value of rheumatology and will fight to advance our issues. The candidate contributions created more than 30 opportunities for ACR representatives to have one-on-one conversations with key policy makers on health care reform, the elimination of consultation codes and the importance of the rheumatology subspecialty. And with 91 percent of RheumPAC supported candidates winning their elections, the College continues to build valuable relationships with those who will be making health policy decisions in the 112th Congress.
RheumPAC continues to be an integral part of the ACR's advocacy efforts and the advancement of rheumatology on Capitol Hill.
6
Go to Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - 13 | Back to ACR Site