ACR-Led Resolutions Supporting Research Funding, Biosimilars Access Advance at Annual AMA House of Delegates Meeting

Luke Barre, MD, testifies before reference committee at the AMA House of Delegates annual meeting.

As ACR members know, synovial fluid crystal analysis is a vital procedure used by rheumatologists to assist in diagnosis of gout and other diseases. The CMS requires that a laboratory be CLIA–certified to perform the test; however, the process for certifying and re-certifying can be onerous and costly. The CMS currently allows special exceptions for nine PPMPs, including the evaluation of urinary sediment and qualitative semen analysis.

In 2018, the ACR unsuccessfully sought an exemption for synovial fluid crystal analysis. Based on a recent survey of ACR members, the issue is now impacting more rheumatologists. As such, the ACR has taken the lead to find ways to get synovial fluid crystal analysis is categorized as a PPMP. Resolution 504 ensures that the AMA will follow the ACR’s lead in actively calling for CLIA to be modified to allow synovial fluid crystal analysis to be performed by appropriately trained physicians.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

While the HOD meeting was underway, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee that provides advice and guidance on effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. civilian population.

In response, the HOD adopted an emergency resolution, supported by the ACR delegation and an overwhelming number of societies, calling for a Senate investigation into Secretary Kennedy’s actions and advocating for alternative vaccine advice from other sources.

Protecting Evidence-based Medicine, Public Health Infrastructure & Biomedical Research

The HOD passed Resolution 242, led by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and cosponsored by the ACR and 10 other specialty societies, which called for the AMA to affirm that protecting science, clinical integrity and the patient-physician relationship is central to the organization’s mission. It also called for the AMA to assertively and publicly lead the House of Medicine in collective, sustained advocacy for federal and state policies, proposals and actions that safeguard public health infrastructure, advance biomedical research, improve vaccine confidence and maintain the integrity of evidence-based medicine and decision-making processes.

Other Actions

The HOD also adopted policies from the following ACR-supported resolutions:

• Resolution 219, which called for opposition to NIH restructuring when it jeopardizes public health.
• Resolution 221, which called for opposition to federal and state efforts to restrict eligibility, coverage, access and funding for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
• Resolution 222, which called for an expedited H-1B visa application and renewal process for International Medical Graduate physicians.
• Resolution 308, which called for the creation of reciprocity programs that allow physicians to receive credit for compliance training completed at one healthcare entity toward requirements at other facilities.
• Resolution 411, which called for protections for use, research and development of mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer treatment.
• Resolution 706, which called for more transparency in Medicare Advantage plans.
• Resolution 707, which called for the simplification of correspondence from health insurers.
• Resolution 708, which called for the removal of prior authorization requirements for in-person visits.
• Resolution 716, which called for minimum payer communication quality standards.
• Resolution 717, which called for medication continuity and reducing prior authorization burdens.

The ACR asks rheumatologists to continue to join or renew membership in the AMA so this work may continue. Rheumatology’s voice at the House of Delegates meeting is determined based on the number of ACR members who are also members of the AMA, so every single person who is a member of both the ACR and the AMA adds to the strength of this effort. Visit the AMA’s membership site to join or renew your AMA membership and receive valuable membership benefits along with helping to advance rheumatology.