Forming a Plan
The ACR’s yearly priorities result from “extensive discussion among Government Affairs Committee members and other leaders,” in conjunction with ACR staff and consultants, Dr. Worthing says. “We look at the landscape in Washington and across states, at initiatives being supported by our coalition partners and at what’s important to our specialty, and come up with a yearly plan.”
The process spans two-and-a-half months; then in February, the GAC will present comprehensive policy statements to the ACR Board of Directors.
Additionally, this year, Dr. Worthing says, the ACR, “like all physician groups,” will be monitoring potential changes to the Affordable Care Act, including its possible repeal.
“The most important piece [with regard to] the Affordable Care Act is making sure our patients and as many Americans as possible stay insured and stay protected by health insurance,” he says. “It’s especially true in rheumatology, where our patients often utilize extremely expensive medications, which are unaffordable without the benefit of insurance.”
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Kelly April Tyrrell writes about health, science and health policy. She lives in Madison, Wis.
