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.
Our Annual Meeting will take place in Atlanta this year. The ACR looks forward to continuing this discussion at this large and important educational event. We are planning a session at this meeting on the impact of reproductive health legislation on the care of our patients. Further, we will offer several sessions on the risks and management of pregnancy in our patients with serious rheumatic diseases to provide the best scientific evidence on these complex topics to our members. Science and learning empower us. Collegial interactions sustain us—especially in these challenging and divisive times. The greatest strength of the ACR lies in our collective wisdom, dedication, and collaboration.
2018 Advocacy Efforts
See a summary of ACR's advocacy efforts in the 2018 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
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.
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
August 22, 2019 - ACR Comments on Part D Electronic Prior Authorization Proposal, Proposed 2020 E/M Codes Include Reimbursement Changes, CMS 2020 Quality Payment Program Proposal
August 8, 2019 - 15% Payment Increase Proposed for Rheumatology, CMS 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Proposal Released.
July 26, 2019 - ACR Successes at AMA meeting, Navigating Step Therapy State Legislation, Practice Management Resources
July 11, 2019 - ACR Insurance Subcommittee Progress Report, Making Sense of Drug Pricing Legislation, MIPS, Data Validation Audit
June 27, 2019 - ACR Pushes for Increased DXA Reimbursement, State Advocacy, Practice Management Workshop
June 13, 2019 - ACR-Backed Prior Authorization Bill, Step Therapy Lookback
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.