Amid rising drug costs and the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers on patient care decisions, physicians are increasingly called upon to advocate for affordable, evidence-based treatments for their patients.

Amid rising drug costs and the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers on patient care decisions, physicians are increasingly called upon to advocate for affordable, evidence-based treatments for their patients.
The ACR is accepting applications for this year’s Advocates for Arthritis event, which will be held virtually on Sept. 27–28. This annual event brings together patients and rheumatology professionals to advocate for our subspecialty on Capitol Hill. Applications are also open for the Advocacy 101 program, which provides advocacy training for ACR/ARP members. Apply today…
The Increasing Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act would set a $98 floor for Medicare reimbursement for the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density test.
Presenters at the Access in Rheumatology meeting held in advance of the ACR’s State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium took a deep dive into the access challenges faced by rheumatology patients and discussed possible solutions. Treatment At least until 2026, prescription drug spending will exceed the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and health spending, said rheumatologist Colin C….
Elizabeth (Blair) Solow, MD |
Beginning in the late 1800s, Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, U.S. diplomat and writer, spent 24 years advocating for sakura, or Japanese cherry trees, to be planted in Washington, D.C. After unsuccessfully petitioning every U.S. Army Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds for over two decades, she wrote a letter to First Lady Helen Herron Taft about…
David R. Karp, MD, PhD, & Christine Stamatos, DNP, ANP-C |
One thing that became clear very quickly this past year was that the COVID-19 pandemic would change the way we deliver care to patients. What has not changed amid an evolving healthcare landscape is our driving focus to ensure our patients’ access to rheumatology care and the availability of state-of-the-art treatments. We know you share…
The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173) will require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to regulate the use of prior authorization by Medicare Advantage plans and establish a process to make real-time decisions for services that are routinely approved. Ask your Congressperson today to support providers and patients and join the more than 100 representatives who are co-sponsoring the bill.
On May 20, ACR representatives held more than 100 video meetings with Congressional leaders about the need to reform step therapy and alleviate pediatric workforce shortages. You can still add your voice by asking your members of Congress to support the Safe Step Act and fund the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program.
Spurred by a recent Cigna policy, the ACR will lead a resolution to oppose insurance companies providing financial incentives for patients to switch treatments. Several specialties are cosponsoring the resolution for a special meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in June.
Elizabeth (Blair) Solow, MD |
Sequestration, workforce issues and step therapy reform are just some of the areas in which the ACR’s activities, via the Government Affairs Committee and member action, have made a positive difference for rheumatology practitioners.