Legislation & Advocacy

ACR Leaders to Meet with Members of Congress at May 12 Capitol Hill Event

From the College | April 25, 2022

The meetings will focus on legislation affecting rheumatology, including bills on graduate medical education and use of copay assistance funds.

Providers Who Received Period 1 Relief Funds May Request to Submit Late Reports

From the College | April 8, 2022

Practices that received Provider Relief Funds between April 10–June 30, 2020, and did not file a report may request to submit a late report and avoid having funds recouped.

Trends in State White Bagging Legislation

Joseph Cantrell, JD | March 22, 2022

The ACR is working with partners in several states to legislate against policies that require physicians to acquire provider-administered drugs through a preferred specialty pharmacy designated by a payer or pharmacy benefit manager.

Update from the ACR Insurance Subcommittee

Rebecca Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACR, FACP | March 18, 2022

The ISC has worked with CVS Caremark to revisit changes to its prior authorization forms that would have increased the administrative burden on practices, and patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina may not have to worry about switching to a self-administered biologic.

What I Learned from My Year on the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee

Kaitlyn Brittan, MD | March 7, 2022

As a fellow-in-training member of the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee, Kaitlyn Brittan, MD, found a sense of personal satisfaction and empowerment by having a voice through advocacy.

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act Passed by Congress

From the College | March 4, 2022

The ACR-supported Breen Act will provide resources for mental health services and programs for healthcare professionals to reduce burnout and prevent suicide.

Partnership Amplifies Advocacy Reach

From the College | January 23, 2022

Working with the AMA provides a megaphone to amplify rheumatology’s voice at both federal and state levels. This year is the AMA’s next five-year membership review. Join the AMA or renew your membership now to keep the ACR represented in AMA policy bodies.

ACR Insurance Subcommittee Chair Encourages Member Engagement

Carina Stanton | January 20, 2022

Rheumatology practices have a voice in payer advocacy through the Insurance Subcommittee of the ACR’s Committee on Rheumatologic Care.

Defining Administration Complexity by the Drug, Not the Diagnosis

Mary Beth Nierengarten | January 10, 2022

Enabling rheumatology practices to use complex administration codes for biologic drugs is critical for maintaining patient access to essential therapies.

The Power of Advocacy

Blair Solow, MD | January 10, 2022

In 1916, a handful of conservation advocates successfully lobbied Congress to create the National Park Service, which now protects more than 85 million acres of U.S. land. Dedicated rheumatology advocacy has lasting effects, too, as evidenced by several policy wins in 2021 and efforts underway for 2022.