For decades, the U.S. has served as a beacon to the international scientific community. With drastic cuts to scientific investment proposed and implemented, the U.S. stands to lose not only immigrants considering careers in research, but also homegrown scientists. Christina Downey, MD, reflects on the cuts and invites members to be part of the solution.
In response to agency requests for feedback on how to streamline regulations and reduce administrative burden on Medicare program stakeholders and small business owners, the ACR called for the removal of certain regulations related to prior authorization, pharmacy benefit managers and Medicare Part B and Part D access.
Aetna recently notified practices about the launch of its Combined Benefit Management Drug List, which will result in romosozumab-aqqg (Evenity) and infliximab (Remicade) moving to pharmacy-only coverage on July 1. The ACR is working to oppose this change.
As in past administrations, members of the Executive Committee scheduled meetings with leaders of the Food & Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to discuss ACR policy priorities and agency agendas.
The May 6 event brought together patients, physicians and advocates to challenge misconceptions and advocate for sustained investment in rheumatology research.
This week, the Coalition sent Congressional leadership a letter detailing the results of a recent survey about how underwater biosimilars are impacting physicians’ ability to provide high-quality care. Almost all of the nearly 200 practices queried reported being underwater on several biosimilars, with rituximab and infliximab biosimilars being the most common.
Changes announced April 1 will cut 10,000 positions at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and consolidate many department functions. The ACR is monitoring how these changes may impact regulatory issues of concern to ACR members.
With the state legislative session in full swing, the ACR is currently tracking 114 pieces of state legislation across many issue areas, including utilization management, prescription drug review boards and vaccines.
With Mehmet Oz, MD, expected to be confirmed as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the ACR considers how his stated priorities may affect rheumatology.
In response to proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs for contract year 2026, the ACR submitted comments on the provisions related to the Inflation Reduction Act, prior authorization and the influence that pharmacy benefit managers have on the placement of biosimilars on formularies.