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

Legislation & Advocacy

Support for Friends of Rheumatology

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RheumPAC—the voluntary, nonpartisan political action committee of the ACR—works to support and elect pro-rheumatology candidates. RheumPAC representatives were busy in May meeting with supporters of the rheumatology community.

Advocates for Arthritis: My First Time on the Hill

Annelle B. Reed, MSN, CPNP  |  

When I first read the request for advocates to fly in to Washington D.C., I was intrigued and curious. I’ve heard of visits to Capitol Hill to present important medical issues but was not really sure how the process worked. Politics can seem daunting and complicated, but I know it is necessary to get Congress on board to address medical care. I was excited to be accepted and ready to learn how to best help my patients in the political arena.

What Does Meaningful Use Really Mean?

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On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the publication of the final rule for the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program. The final rule announcement ended the holding pattern for providers eager to make the switch from paper to digital medical records.

Advocating for Arthritis: My First Time on the Hill

Colin C. Edgerton, MD  |  

Amidst the most momentous week of the year’s tumultuous healthcare reform activities, we arrived in Washington, D.C., for the annual ACR Advocates for Arthritis Capitol Hill Fly-In. This was to be my first visit to Congress. Although my alma mater, Georgetown University, was a short distance from the Capitol dome, as a student I had little interest in the political process—particularly as it related to medicine. Now, however, as a young rheumatologist, I am increasingly aware of the impact health policy has on my daily practice. I have also watched the healthcare reform debate unfold over the last year, recognizing that this is a critical time for physicians to be vocal and active. There is a great deal at stake, and we are surrounded daily by the very issues debated in Washington. Why not take our opinions directly to the decision makers?

Industry Support & Quality Initiatives

Kenneth Saag, MD, MSc, Gary Bryant, MD, Brian Feldman, MD, MSc, David Felson, MD, Liana Fraenkel, MD, MPH, Salahuddin Kazi, MBBS, and Kristen McNiff, MPH  |  

How the ACR manages conflict-of-interest policies

HHS Enforces Stricter Rules on HIPAA

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As of February 17, 2010, entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), such as group health plans and their business associates, will have to take certain actions to ensure continued compliance with the privacy and security provisions of the act.