Regulatory News and Perspective
ACP Submits Comment on 2022 Physician Fee Schedule, Quality Payment Program
Proposals from CMS encouraging, but congressional action needed to prevent cuts in Medicare spending from going into effect on Jan. 1.
ACP Policy News
New ACP Vaccination Policies Support Vaccination Mandates During Public Health Emergency
ACP announced new policies for the public and health care workers supporting recommendations and standards of ACIP, CDC and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.
New ACP Policy Addresses Workplace Safety for Physicians, Health Care Workers
Position statement released after a year of researching, reviewing and updating the proposed resolution.
In Case You Missed It
Apply to be an Intern in ACP's Washington, DC Office
The 2022 Health Policy Internship application cycle is now open until Oct. 31. The internship provides a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine. Interns will provide assistance with researching and analyzing current issues in health and medical education policy, assisting with on-going advocacy initiatives, and the development of advocacy materials. Interns will have the opportunity to attend congressional hearings, coalition meetings, and accompany government affairs staff on lobby visits to members of congress and their staff and to events. The internship lasts from May 2, 2022 to May 27, 2022 and pays a $4,000 stipend. Find additional information and application instructions on ACP's website.
Annals of Internal Medicine published a new Ideas and Opinions article 鈥,鈥 authored by ACP leaders Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP, FRCP, FIDSA; Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; Susan Thompson Hingle, MD; and Cynthia D. Smith, MD. The authors are sending a direct message to employers at health systems, hospitals, and clinical practices to create strategies to support the well-being of the physician workforce during this pandemic. It is important for physicians to feel they work in an environment where they can safely care for patients while simultaneously supporting one another. The article recommends a variety of different methods and practices for employers to put in place that prioritize the physical and mental health of physicians and clinicians and go beyond the typical suggestions of yoga and meditation.
Quick Hits
ACP Offers New Independent Practice Resources
ACP has launched a webpage dedicated to providing independent practice physicians with resources and tools to help with the business side of medicine. The Independent Practice Resources webpage includes the following content areas:
- Payment & Coding- Resources on how to maintain consistent revenue from both public and private payers.
- Practice Organization-Tools around efficiency and profitability for optimal performance in practice.
- Technology for Enhanced Patient Care- Guidance on telehealth, new technologies, and compliance with regulations related to technology.
- Regulatory Rules and Practice Compliance- ACP resources help track important dates for regulatory, payment and delivery system requirements.
- Enhance Patient Care- Online resources and tools to provide high value patient care.
ACP has joined with the American Medical Association and other medical societies to release from the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force that are aimed at helping to end the nation's drug-related overdose and death epidemic.
The recommendations are focused on actions physicians can take as well as those policymakers and public health officials must take. This includes broad efforts to remove barriers and improve access to evidence-based care for patients with pain, a substance use disorder (SUD) or mental illness, as well as increase access to multiple harm reduction strategies. The new Task Force also will work to more directly address the changing drug overdose epidemic, focus on removing racial, gender, sexual orientation, and other health-related inequities.
ACP Advocate is copyrighted 漏2021 by the 麻豆直播app.