Advocacy

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 …

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Why Should Physicians Get Involved in Politics?

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

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.