AMS’s advocacy efforts are brought to the forefront at the state Capitol,
and we work to make sure Arkansas physicians ALWAYS have a seat at the table.


Latest News from AMS Governmental Affairs

AMA Issue Spotlights

Prior Authorization Accountability, Transparency
We were close to achieving these reforms last fall. A legislative fix known as the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act that would alleviate some of our prior authorization headaches drew broad support on both sides of the aisle. A majority of House members—139 Democrats and 89 Republicans—signed on as co-sponsors and sent a clear signal that this vitally important reform deserves passage. A companion bill in the Senate also earned bipartisan sponsorship and support from a majority of Senators. 

Lawmakers on both sides clearly recognize the pressing need to reduce the prior authorization burden. The bipartisan and bicameral support evidenced to date demonstrates the need for a commonsense solution that needs to become law.
That need has never been clearer to the AMA, Read more


Medicare Physician Payment
Patients and physicians watched with deep concern as the 118th Congress adjourned in December without fixing the broken Medicare payment formula and allowing a 2.83% cut to take effect. This marks the fifth straight year that payments to physician practices have been cut, despite the inflation we have all experienced during these years. 

Medicare physician payment rates, when adjusted for the costs of running a practice, have fallen by 33% over the past two decades (JPG), and left physicians struggling to figure out how they can continue to provide needed care to their elderly and chronically ill patients. Now the 119th Congress must act to reverse this cut and enact a new payment formula based upon the ever-increasing cost of providing care. Read more …



Why Should Physicians Get Involved in Politics?



Whether in private practice or employed, physicians are undoubtedly impacted multiple times a day by the decisions legislators have made. 

Watch our video to hear why it’s important to get to know your legislators.

It is vital to have a voice in the room when those decisions are made; often, those that make the decisions see issues from a 30,000 feet level and they need the perspective of how their decisions would impact the practice level.

We encourage you to reach out to and get to know your legislators so that you can share your insight and medical expertise regarding crucial issues that will come up.

Important Links

Committee Information
Senate Public Health
Senate Insurance & Commerce
House Public Health
House Insurance & Commerce

General Assembly Website
arkleg.state.ar.us 

Capitol Message Center
Senate:  501-682-2902
House:  501-682-6211 

Live Streaming
from the Capitol

House
Senate




Join ARKMED-PAC and Help Support
Physician-Friendly Candidates

When we strongly support successful physician-friendly candidates, we build closer, stronger relationships that can continue our ability to provide successful advocacy for Arkansas physicians and their patients.

The most effective and efficient way for most AMS members to help physician-friendly candidates is to contribute to the political arm of the Arkansas Medical Society, ArkMed-PAC.

ArkMed-PAC needs your financial support. The stronger financially ArkMed-PAC is, the more help it can provide to those physician-friendly candidates around the state. Please join us in the fight as we attempt to do our best to become the best that we can be.

AMS Governmental Affairs Team

David Wroten

Executive Vice President

H. Scott Smith, JD

Director, Governmental Affairs

Laura Hawkins

Legislative Support Specialist


Doctor of the Day Photo Album