The ACR is your source for advocacy news impacting your practice, patients, and the rheumatology subspecialty. In addition to staying on top of ever changing policies and political landscapes for our members, we are often invited to give statements, provide comments, or work with lawmakers to promote new policies.
ACR and Anti-Abortion Legislation
The American College of Rheumatology recognizes the concerns of our members about the recently enacted abortion laws in a number of states, including Georgia. The ACR greatly respects the opinions and deeply held convictions of all of our members and also recognizes the potential polarizing effect of this legislation among our members and our patients. The ACR opposes any action which interferes with the practice of evidence-based medicine or intrudes upon the doctor-patient relationship. Pregnancy often complicates the management of women with rheumatic diseases and may threaten the life of the mother. Rheumatologists and other rheumatology professionals must be able to provide the best evidence-based care and guidance for all of their patients.
The ACR recently updated the Access to Care Policy Statement addressing patient access to care.
Advocacy Accomplishments
See a summary of ACR's advocacy efforts in the 2019 Advocacy Year in Review.
Press and Public Statements
View the latest rheumatology news, including press releases and public statements about current advocacy issues affecting ACR and ARP membership in the Newsroom.
ACR@Work Newsletter
The ACR publishes a bimonthly electronic newsletter for members with the latest news and activities relating to advocacy and policy updates, practice management, insurance issues, and more. See the latest issues.
January 9, 2020 - 2019 Advocacy Year in Review, State Legislative Update for 2020 and Beyond, New ACR/EULAR IgG4 Classification Criteria
December 26, 2019 - New D.C. Office Strengthens ACR Advocacy Efforts, Last Call for 2019 RheumPAC Contributions, Review Your Open Payments Data with CMS by December 31
December 12, 2019 - Urge Lawmakers to Support E/M Wins in Final Fee Schedule Rule, Updated RA Disease Activity and New Functional Status Measures, Support RheumPAC
November 27, 2019 - ACR Leverages AMA Representation to Advance Rheumatology Issues, ACR Supports Bill to Establish Minimum DXA Payment, One Person Can Make a Difference: The Importance of Advocacy
November 14, 2019 - Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, Every Voice Matters in Advocacy, New ACR / ARP Leadership
October 24, 2019 - ACR Leads Coalition Opposing Cigna’s Elimination of Consultation Codes, Annual Meeting Preview: Maximizing Reimbursement, ACR Honors Rep. Raul Ruiz on Step Therapy Reform
October 10, 2019 - Annual Meeting Preview, Ask Congress to Support the Safe Step Act, Practices and State Societies Can Support RheumPAC Advocacy
September 26, 2019 - Survey Highlights Rheumatology Patient Concerns and Challenges, Rheumatology Patients and Providers Push For Step Therapy and Workforce Changes, Final ACR Comments on 2020 CMS Proposed Rule
September 12, 2019 - September is Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month, Patients and Physicians Unite for Arthritis Advocacy, Congress Urged to act on Prior Authorization Reform
Social Media
Be sure to follow the ACR on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. ACR often interacts with lawmakers, posts pictures, circulates articles, and more. Get engaged and join the conversation.