Turn Your Spare Change into Action for ARKMED-PAC
Over the past two centuries, innovation in health care has been the cornerstone of physicians providing the best patient care. Today we’re applying that same innovation to take our ArkMed-PAC fundraising efforts to the next level, which is why we're partnering with GoodChange. Headquartered in Arkansas, GoodChange…
Legislative Update, 2-3-23
TOP PRIORITY: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HB 1271/SB 143 Sponsors Rep. Lee Johnson, MD (Greenwood) & Sen. Missy Irvin (Mountain View) Both Prior Authorization "Gold Card" bills have been assigned to Insurance and Commerce committees and are awaiting Fiscal Impact statements. If passed, this legislation would: Remove ALL prior authorization…
From the AMA: Medicare Physician Payment System On the Brink
Congressional inaction on the Medicare physician payment system in the “lame duck” sessionwill immediately threaten patient access to physician care. Medicare beneficiaries' access to a physician is in jeopardy due to a planned 8.42% cut in Medicare reimbursements starting January 1, 2023. Congress has historically suspended many of…
Congress to Vote on Scope-of-Practice Expansion Bill TODAY, June 7
Urge Your Congressman to Vote NO to H.R. 6087 Your action is neededNOWto stop a scope-of-practice expansion bill in Congress.H.R. 6087,“Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act,” is being fast-tracked in the U.S. House of Representatives and is scheduled fora House floor vote today,June…
Two Easy Ways to Step Up and Help
By H. Scott Smith, JD - AMS Director of Governmental Affairs With the primary elections scheduled for this Tuesday, May 24, 2022, physicians still have time to make a positive impact for organized medicine by taking two quick and easy steps. First, find out who’s running for the…
Urge Gov. Hutchinson to Put Patient Safety First
From the American Society of Anesthesiologists - Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is considering eliminating physician oversight of surgical anesthesia without any opportunity for public input from the state’s medical/surgical community. This concerning and unilateral decision would conflict with Arkansas state statute, would not lower costs or increase access…
2022 Candidates for State Elections and New Legislative Districts
Over the last few months of 2021, the Board of Apportionment redrew 100 House & 35 Senate Districts so that each district met various legal criteria, including each district being about the same size in population. This "redistricting" is required by law once every 10 years after the…
Senate Passes Legislation to Halt Medicare Physician Payment Cuts
After months of intense lobbying by the American Medical Association, Arkansas Medical Society, other state medical societies, and national medical specialties, a bi-partisan agreement has been reached by Congress to halt Medicare physician payment cuts that were scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2022. President Biden is…
Surprise Billing Lawsuit Filed by AMA
The American Medical Association and American Hospital Association filed a complaint and motion to stay against the federal government today over the misguided implementation of the federal surprise billing law. What follows is the press release. Hospital and physician groups file lawsuit over No Surprises Act final rules…
2021 Legislative Summary
The Arkansas Medical Society is a community of Arkansas physicians made up of every medical specialty from all over the state. Whether it’s connecting members with resources, education, or information, advocacy is essentially at the core of everything that we do. With all the different ways to advocate…
Available Dates for Doctor of the Day
The 2021 Legislative Session has been extended, so we have a few open dates for Doctor of the Day. If you would like to volunteer the week of April 12th, fill out the form to let us know. https://www.arkmed.org/advocacy/docoftheday/