In 2005, not long after he became a private practice rheumatologist on Long Island, N.Y., Howard Blumstein, MD, dipped his toe into the advocacy pool at the encouragement of his partner, Max Hamburger, MD. “I thought it would be interesting to learn more about the issues that affect our patients and our practices, and I…
Investments in Legislative Advocacy Pay Off for Ohio Association of Rheumatology
Like many other state rheumatology associations, the Ohio Association of Rheumatology (OAR) has recently been actively advocating for patient care at the state legislative level. The most recent example of OAR’s efforts included an Advocacy Day on May 4, when members met with state legislators to discuss topics of interest. It was the fourth such…
The ACR Seeks Legislation to Help Ease Rheumatologist Workforce Shortage
With a shortage of rheumatologists in the U.S. already a problem and projected to get far worse, the ACR is advocating for the passage of a variety of laws that would help narrow the gap. Legislation being fought for by ACR advocacy leaders involves streamlining visa processing for foreign physicians and promoting incentives for physicians…
Hundreds of Diseases. One Voice.
Continually building awareness and understanding of rheumatic diseases is critical to both our profession and patient care, according to Kelly Weselman, MD, a rheumatologist in Smyrna, Ga., and a passionate advocate involved in planning the ACR’s annual Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM). “Unlike cancer patients, whose disease is well known, patients battling a rheumatic disease…
Senate Reauthorizes FDA to Collect Fees from Drugmakers
(Reuters)—The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill allowing the Food and Drug Administration to continue collecting fees from drug companies to review new product applications. The FDA Reauthorization Act renews an existing law that expires on Sept. 30 and which provides the majority of FDA funds used to review pharmaceuticals and determine whether they…
ACR Supports Bill for Increased Medicare Contractor Transparency
Working with more than 40 other medical associations, the ACR is supporting proposed federal legislation, the Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act of 2017 (S. 794). The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). The bill’s provisions would add transparency to how Medicare Administrative Contractors…
U.S. Governors Urge Trump to Make Health Insurance Payments
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Democratic and Republican U.S. governors on Wednesday urged the Trump administration, as well as Congress, to continue funding payments to health insurance companies that make Obamacare plans affordable, calling it critical to stabilizing the insurance marketplace. In a statement, governors joined insurers pressuring Republican President Donald Trump to stand down from threats to cut…
Insurers to Fill Obamacare Gaps in Ohio’s Individual Market
(Reuters)—Five health insurance companies in Ohio, including Molina Healthcare Inc., have stepped up to sell health plans in 19 counties that would have been without Obamacare individual coverage in 2018, the state’s insurance regulator said on Monday.1 Ohio’s Department of Insurance said it had worked to draw in insurers for the 20 counties that were…
Trump Aims at Insurers in Battle Over Healthcare Subsidies
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters)—U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday took aim at the nation’s health insurers in an escalating threat to cut the healthcare subsidy payments that make Obamacare plans affordable, one day after urging Republican senators to continue working to undo his Democratic predecessor’s healthcare law. “If ObamaCare is hurting people, and it is, why…
Republican Bid to Gut Obamacare Fails in Senate
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A U.S. Senate led by Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans dealt the president a harsh blow on Friday, failing to move ahead with a major campaign promise to dismantle Obamacare as they fell one vote short of passing healthcare legislation. Three senators—John McCain (R-Az.), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.)—joined Senate Democrats in the…
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- …
- 86
- Next Page »