Government Affairs Committee member Donald Miller, PharmD, reflects on the effects of rheumatology advocacy work over time, noting that progress is often easier to see from the distance.
A Fellow’s Experience at Advocacy 101
Rheumatology fellow Audrey Liu, MD, describes the excitement and empowerment of seeing first-hand the real-world impact of advocating for policies that support providers and patients.
ACR Hill Day Participants Urge Congress to Reform Medicare Reimbursement
On May 6–7, nearly 100 rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals converged in Washington, D.C., for the ACR’s annual Advocacy Leadership Conference and 137 meetings on Capitol Hill. You can help extend the efforts of these advocates and amplify their impact by contacting your lawmakers via the Legislative Action Center.
FTC Bans Noncompete Agreements: What Rheumatologists Need to Know
The ACR applauds the FTC’s recent ban on most noncompete agreements. The ruling is a step in the right direction toward a more competitive market for healthcare workers and their services.
Advocate from Home for Medicare Payment Reform on Capitol Hill
As ACR leaders and volunteers visit Capitol Hill to advocate for stabilizing Medicare physician payment rates, you can join the effort from anywhere. Send your lawmakers a message today through the Legislative Action Center.
FDA Proposal for Biosimilar Use in 2025 Budget
A proposal for biosimilar use in the 2025 budget would allow substitution of any biosimilar for its reference product without an interchangeable designation. The hope is to increase biosimilar uptake, with the subsequent potential to increase product “competition, access and affordability.”1 In the 2025 budget proposal, the Biden administration noted that the legal distinction between…
Gwenesta B. Melton, MD, Appointed New Chair of Affiliate Society Council
Gwenesta B. Melton, MD, wears many hats as a rheumatologist, teacher and champion for advocacy and collaboration. She has been involved with the ASC for more than a decade.
Updates from the ACR Insurance Subcommittee
The Insurance Subcommittee is working to address coverage and reimbursement challenges facing rheumatology practices, including issues related to biosimilar use, in-office treatments and the new G2211 code.
The ACR Gets Rheumatologists Paid More
The implementation of the new G2211 code on Jan. 1 increases reimbursement for rheumatology visits, but the ACR continues to fight for retroactive repayment of the across-the-board Medicare physician reimbursement cuts implemented at the same time, as well as structural changes to the program to make serving Medicare patients sustainable for rheumatologists in the long term.
Support RheumPAC to Keep Rheumatology in Healthcare Policy Conversations
2024 is an election year, which means it is more critical than ever that RheumPAC is well equipped to support campaigns and take part in important healthcare discussions on Capitol Hill.