The Coalition
The ACR is a leading member of a coalition it helped to form with other physician groups, which is asking Congress to remove Part B drugs from the Medicare adjustment formula so “rheumatologists who provide Part B drugs will have more predictable, viable practice models with smaller adjustment swings.”
The original coalition leading the effort for this change consisted of the American College of Rheumatology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology. “This coalition of physician specialties continues to expand and now includes neurology; allergy; physical medicine and rehabilitation; retina specialists; gastroenterology; urology; infectious diseases; and others. These are examples of other specialties like rheumatology that are facing major threats to patient access to treatment because of this policy,” explains ACR Senior Director of Government Affairs Adam Cooper, MS.
What You Can Do
Dr. Worthing and Mr. Cooper encourage ACR members to reach out to their Congressional leaders by sending a prepared email through the ACR’s Legislative Action Center to share how this Part B drug rule, if not changed, would negatively affect rheumatology practice and patient care.
“The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees your right to address grievances with your elected officials,” Mr. Worthing stresses. “Your government advocacy team is fighting hard alongside other specialty partners and patient groups for this technical fix, but we can’t do it alone.”
ACR and ARHP members who are United States citizens or permanent resident aliens can also help by making a donation to RheumPAC, the political action committee representing rheumatology providers and promoting their interests. All contributions to RheumPAC are voluntary and must be made with personal funds.
For more information on the ACR’s work and opportunities to advocate for rheumatology practice, visit https://www.rheumatology.org/Advocacy.
Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.
