The ACR’s position statement also supports improving access to both initial and consultative rheumatologic services and ongoing care. For example, the ACR advocates for healthcare policies that permit rheumatologists to operate medical practices across a plurality of settings, including geographic (rural and urban), size (small and large), and type of practice (solo practices, multispecialty groups, academic centers and those affiliated with other health systems).
Another key area of advocacy noted in the position statement: ensuring that patients have access to medications and other medically necessary treatments, which includes ensuring that the FDA maintains its authority to expedite the approval of safe and effective biosimilar agents. The ACR further advocates for the elimination of certain practices, such as prior authorizations, to simplify the delivery of high-cost treatments. The ACR supports minimizing administrative burden through universal prior authorization systems in the case of multistate insurance plans, and other actions to remove excessive administrative burdens that prevent physicians from focusing on patient care.
Get Involved
Along with advocating directly at both the state and federal levels, the ACR partners with other physician specialty societies, as well as the American Medical Association through its House of Delegates, to build effective coalitions to strengthen its advocacy for access, says Dr. Edgerton. He emphasizes the need for rheumatologists to get involved individually. “Member participation in RheumPAC and individual rheumatologists’ membership in the AMA are critical to allow the ACR to ‘punch above its weight’ when advocating for access to rheumatologic care,” he says.
Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical journalist based in Minneapolis.
Resource
1. American College of Rheumatology. Position Statement. Access to Care.
