Three bills centering reintroduced in the 119th Congress would ease educational debt burden, increase placement access for visa holders and support the mental health of current healthcare workers.
Will Telehealth Make It to April?Â
Medicare’s current telehealth flexibilities are set to expire March 31. To avoid a government shutdown, Congress must pass a appropriations package by midnight on March 14. The ACR is preparing for the impacts if a telehealth extension does not pass.
The ACR Commends Legislation to Address Harmful Medicare Payment Cuts to Physicians
The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 would fully offset the harmful 2.8% cut in the MPFS and include an additional 2% payment update to physician services furnished after April 1.
2024 Federal Legislative Recap
Although many rheumatology priorities were cut from big funding bills in the 118th Congress, some policy victories and signals of progress set the stage for the new year
Addressing Workforce Shortages Through Public Policy
The ACR responded to a Senate Health Committee request for information with legislative strategies to support healthcare providers and expand the physician and care team pipeline.
Advocacy Highlights & Fall Treats: Reflections from the GAC Chair
Outgoing Government Affairs Committee Chair Blair Solow, MD, offers advocacy updates from 2022 and seasonal reflections on how to stay focused on efforts that matter when faced with daunting challenges.
A Primer on Copay Accumulator Programs
The growing use of copay accumulator programs, which restrict the application of patient assistance funds toward cost-sharing requirements, hurts patient access to life-changing treatments. This was one topic discussed during the ACR’s Advocacy Leadership Conference in D.C. this May.
In 2022, Advocacy 101 Returns to Washington, D.C.
ACR and ARP members converged on Capitol Hill in May to urge lawmakers to support legislation related to workforce expansion and patient access to care following training sessions presented by ACR staff dedicated to legislative affairs.
Prior Authorization Reform: Bill Calls for Faster Care, Fewer Denials
With 290 cosponsors, ACR-supported legislation to streamline prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans has met a support threshold that may allow the lead sponsor to force House action.
ACR Leaders to Meet with Members of Congress at May 12 Capitol Hill Event
The meetings will focus on legislation affecting rheumatology, including bills on graduate medical education and use of copay assistance funds.