Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Legislation & Advocacy

Rheumatologists Urged to Engage in Advocacy

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“Doctors must be politically active or they will surrender the control of healthcare to others,” says Tim Hutchinson, former U.S. Senator from Arkansas (Republican), emphasizing the need for rheumatologists to become involved in advocacy given the particularly challenging environment caused by partisan polarization and gridlock in Washington—which is expected to continue regardless of the upcoming…

ACR Opposes DXA Reimbursement Cuts

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to significantly reduce reimbursement for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA),—used to measure bone density, diagnose osteoporosis and help prevent fractures—performed as a hospital outpatient service in the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS). If finalized, by 2023 it will cut payment for the DXA testing by 37%….

Benchmark 2017 Healthcare.gov Premiums Up 25%

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—The average premium for benchmark 2017 Obamacare insurance plans sold on Healthcare.gov rose 25% compared with 2016, according to the U.S. government on Monday, the biggest increase since the insurance first went on sale in 2013 for the following year. The average monthly premium for the benchmark plan is rising to $302 from $242 in…

RheumPAC Backs Pro-Rheumatology Congressional Candidate Dr. Matt Heinz from Arizona

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RheumPAC is the ACR’s political action committee dedicated to increasing rheumatology’s presence on Capitol Hill. It is the only PAC dedicated to the interests of all rheumatologists and their patients. RheumPAC began in 2007 with the purpose of building contacts, influence and visibility within Washington, D.C. for rheumatology. RheumPAC works to support and elect pro-rheumatology…

Shifting Health Policy Landscape Brings Opportunities, Responsibility to Advocate for Rheumatology

Joan M. Von Feldt, MD, MSEd, FACR, FACP  |  

Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 500 BC) is credited with the saying, “The only constant is change.” Now, centuries later, change is meteoric, and especially in healthcare and health policy, the pace of change is relentless. Rheumatology and other specialties continue to face challenges that threaten the ability to deliver compassionate, competent care to patients. The…

Bipartisan RheumPAC Serves Needs of Patients and Rheumatologists

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For more than a decade, the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has given rheumatologists a voice in the halls of Congress. Since 2007, that voice has been amplified by RheumPAC, the bipartisan political action committee for ACR/ARHP members that helps advance the policy goals of the College, rheumatology professionals and their patients. “RheumPAC allows us…

Advocates on the Hill

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On Sept. 12–13, nearly 100 rheumatologists, health professionals and patients participated in the Advocates for Arthritis event on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of those living with and treating rheumatic diseases. Key Requests & Congressional Support Attendees visited 116 members of Congress and their staff members to: Advocate for changes to the Centers for…

Advocacy Spotlight: Dr. Matt Heinz, Candidate for Congress from Arizona District 2 (Tucson)

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RheumPAC is the ACR’s political action committee dedicated to increasing rheumatology’s presence on Capitol Hill. It is the only PAC dedicated to the interests of all rheumatologists and their patients. RheumPAC began in 2007 with the purpose of building contacts, influence and visibility within Washington, D.C. for rheumatology. RheumPAC works to support and elect pro-rheumatology…