As a result of the resolution’s passage, the AMA will now work with professional organizations and Congress in support of payment parity for pediatric specialists when treating Medicaid patients.
This AMA policy advancement would not have happened without the ACR’s initiative to develop relevant and cohesive policy and convene a coalition of stakeholder specialty societies with similar concerns, nor without partnering societies’ help and substantial support at the meeting. This success was also possible because ACR members join and maintain memberships in the AMA, allowing the delegation representation at the meeting. Join now to not only access benefits for yourself, but to also support this work to elevate rheumatology issues at the national level.
Resolutions are also introduced by other specialty societies and considered by the ACR based on its positions and policies and the work of ACR committees and the Board of Directors. The ACR cosponsored the following resolutions at this meeting.
Medicare Advantage Part B Drug Coverage
The HOD passed Resolution 232, authored by the Association for Clinical Oncology with the ACR as a cosponsor. This resolution requires that Medicare Advantage plans cover physician-administered drugs and biologics in such a way that the patient out-of-pocket cost is the same as or less than the cost to a patient with traditional Medicare plus a Medigap plan.
Prohibiting Mandatory White Bagging
The HOD passed Resolution 233, authored by the Association for Clinical Oncology with the ACR as a cosponsor. It will have the AMA urge state and federal policymakers to enact legislation to prohibit the mandatory use of white bagging.
State Prescription Drug Affordability Boards—Study
The HOD passed Resolution 233, authored by the Association for Clinical Oncology with cosponsors that included the ACR, American Academy of Dermatology Association, American College of Mohs Surgery, and American Contact Dermatitis Society. It will have the AMA conduct a study to determine how upper payment limits (UPLs) established by state prescription drug affordability boards will impact reimbursement for physician-administered drugs and what impact state UPLs will have on patient access to care. The AMA will report the results of this study to the AMA HOD in 2025.
Alternative Funding Programs
The HOD passed Resolution 707, authored by the Association for Clinical Oncology with the ACR as a cosponsor. It will have the AMA educate employers, benefits administrators and patients on alternative funding programs (AFPs) and their negative impacts on patient access to treatment. The AMA will advocate for legislative and regulatory policies that would address negative impacts of AFPs.
