Tien-I Karleen Su, MD, FACR, who co-founded a practice in California, has been named the first chair of the CPC. Her first task will be to help fill out the council with rheumatology professionals from small or independent practices.
With 2023 state legislative sessions underway, early prevailing themes may forecast areas where we will see gains this year. Key issues include utilization management, copay accumulator bans, white bagging and pharmacy benefit manager reform.
Now in the second year of his 2021–2023 term as the Rheumatology Research Foundation president, V. Michael Holers, MD, a professor of medicine and immunology and the Smyth Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado, Denver, is looking forward to fortifying and expanding the Foundation’s missions in the framework of its new strategic plan.
Kori Dewing, ARNP, DNP, has been working in healthcare since high school. As she begins her term as president of the ARP, she is building on nearly two decades of volunteer experience with the ARP and ACR to continue supporting rheumatology professionals and advancing the College’s values of inclusion, collaboration and community.
Prior authorization and step therapy reform bills recently enacted in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts offer case studies into how substantive policy change can take persistence, patience and a bipartisan approach to achieve success.
In his new role as the 86th president of the ACR, Douglas White, MD, PhD, is excited about the opportunities to serve and energize the organization and members in the coming year.
Outgoing Government Affairs Committee Chair Blair Solow, MD, offers advocacy updates from 2022 and seasonal reflections on how to stay focused on efforts that matter when faced with daunting challenges.
The American Medical Association’s Relative Value Update Committee advises the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on appropriate reimbursement rates for specialty services. Luke Barré, MD, MPH, RhMSUS, is learning the ropes as the ACR’s newest representative.
In late August, leaders of state and local rheumatology societies from across the nation connected with each other and with ACR president Ken Saag, MD, in a roundtable-style meeting. State and local rheumatology leaders shared local updates, successes and challenges and discussed ACR initiatives.
RheumPAC has been working to ensure that individual legislators understand what rheumatology practices and patients face when it comes to delivering high quality care to those with rheumatic diseases and advocating for policies to support affordability of care, workforce expansion, prior authorization reform and fair reimbursement levels.