Legislation & Advocacy

Wisconsin Rheumatology Association Targets Rural Workforce Shortages, Advocacy Needs

Linda Childers | February 26, 2021

Now in its 16th year, the Wisconsin Rheumatology Association engages and supports rheumatology professionals through advocacy sessions, annual meetings and continuing medical education-accredited events.

The ACR’s 2020 Advocacy Year in Review

Blair Solow, MD, & Zachary Wallace, MD, MSc | February 16, 2021

To say it has been an interesting (the science and the memes), tumultuous (the politics) and heartbreaking (the pandemic and social injustice) year is an understatement. There have been moments of grace and inspiration that we hope have kept everyone going. As we look to 2021, we take lessons from our experiences in 2020. Washington,…

What to Expect in State Legislatures in 2021

Joseph Cantrell, JD | January 25, 2021

New state legislatures face many continuing issues, including budget shortfalls, vaccine distribution problems and strained healthcare infrastructure. However, opportunities exist for significant policy wins for rheumatology, particularly on the issues of step therapy reform, telemedicine and copay accumulators.

Successful Resolutions, Policy Updates at AMA House of Delegates 2020 Interim Meeting

Gary Bryant, MD, MACR | January 24, 2021

At the virtual interim meeting Nov. 13–17, the ACR delegation led a successful bid to update American Medical Association policies on home infusion and copay accumulators and supported efforts against the Most Favored Nation drug pricing model.

Advancing the ACR’s Legislative Priorities in 2021

Zach Wallace, MD, MSc | January 11, 2021

With a new Congress and many new legislators in key leadership positions, your support today will help RheumPAC start the year off strong.

ACR Advocacy: 2020 Year in Review

Blair Solow, MD | January 11, 2021

As a new year begins, Government Affairs Committee Chair Blair Solow, MD, takes stock of ACR advocacy wins in 2020 and issues to watch in 2021, including workforce issues, continued telemedicine access, prior authorization relief, Medicare reimbursement and drug pricing.

Medicare’s Most Favored Nation Is My Least Favorite Notion!

Angus B. Worthing, MD | December 8, 2020

In case you missed it, on Nov. 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a department within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced that it will overhaul the payment system for Medicare Part B (i.e., infusion) drugs on Jan. 1, 2021. The plan is called the Most Favored Nation (MFN)…

After the 2020 Election, What’s in Store for Rheumatology Advocacy?

ACR Advocacy Staff | November 22, 2020

Despite high voter turnout and many new faces entering Congress, minimal power shifts in most levels of government will have implications for the ACR’s advocacy agenda in 2021.

ACR Advances Rheumatology Positions in American Medical Association Policies

From the College | November 22, 2020

At the American Medical Association House of Delegates Special Meeting held Nov. 13–17, 2020, the ACR’s delegation successfully led an effort to update AMA policies on home infusion and copay accumulators.

UnitedHealthcare Delays Copay Accumulator Policy

From the College | November 20, 2020

After ACR and other provider and patient organizations expressed concerns about a proposed copay accumulator policy set to take effect Jan. 1, 2021, UnitedHealthcare has indefinitely delayed its implementation but is continuing to explore options to reduce spending on specialty drugs.