Advocacy in Action
ACP Says Court Ruling on the ACA's Insurance Mandate Threatens Coverage, Benefits, and Patient Protections
Federal appeals court rules individual mandate is unconstitutional, sends it back to a lower court to decide constitutionality of the entire law.
Congressional News and Perspective
End-of-Year Federal Legislation Increases Funding to Crucial Health Programs
However, ACP urges Congress to do more to address high prescription drug costs and ‘surprise’ medical billing.
ACP and the AMA
AMA, at Annual Delegate Meeting, Champions Displaced Medical Students, Votes to Ban E-Cigarettes
The abrupt closure of Philadelphia's Hahnemann University Hospital and its displaced residents and fellows, e-cigarettes, gun violence, and LGBTQ inclusivity all took center stage at the annual American Medical Association (AMA) delegates meeting in Chicago.
Quick hits
In preparation for the 2020 performance year of MIPS, CMS has posted new resources to the .
Primary Care First Practice Applications are due January 22, 2020. This new alternative payment model offers an innovative payment structure to support the delivery of advanced primary care. The is now open! For further information, please visit ACP's fact sheet and the .
The deadline to apply to the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model is January 22, 2020. CMS announced four voluntary kidney care payment options. This model is designed to help with health care providers to reduce the cost and improve the quality of care for patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease and ESRD. The KCC also aims to delay the need for dialysis and encourage kidney transplant. The KCC Option will be open to participation by nephrology practices and their nephrologists only. Visit CMS for .
Applications for the Direct Contracting Model are now being accepted until February 25, 2020. To apply, a previously submitted letter of intent is required. Payments will begin in 2021. A second opportunity to apply will be announced, though those applicants will miss a patient alignment year. For more information, access ACP's fact sheet and CMS’ .
In case you missed it
Podcast: Burnout During Residency
Burnout impacts approximately half of residents, and depression and depressive symptoms are seen in more than a quarter of residents. In this ACP PRN podcast produced by the ACP Northern Illinois Chapter, Sean Greenhalgh, MD, FACP, an internist at Loyola Hospital and an advocate for physician wellness, discusses the symptoms of burnout as well as how to address and manage it.
Dr. Greenhalgh is joined by internal medicine residents Arya Nikamal, DO, and Qusai Alitter, MD, who share their experience with burnout and how internal medicine residency programs are approaching and managing this issue. Click here to login and listen to the podcast.
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This service features triggered text alerts aimed at keeping you on top of upcoming deadlines and details related to regulatory, payment, and delivery system requirements. To sign up for these alerts, text ACPtimeline (no space) to 313131 from your mobile phone.
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