Congressional News and Perspectives
Appropriations Package Reverses About Half the Cut to Medicare Payments for 2024
ACP disappointed that cut was not fully reversed, emphasizing that it comes in addition to inflation and rising practice expenses.
Administration News
State of the Union Address Highlighted Several ACP Priorities
President Biden called on Congress to expand Medicare prescription drug negotiating authority, expand price caps on insulin and extend insurance premium tax credits.
ACP Policy News
ACP Committee Identifies Just One of Eight Performance Measures as Valid for Major Depressive Disorder
ACP Performance Measurement Committee works to ensure performance measures are clinically sound, evidence-based and tested appropriately.
Quick Hit
ACP's response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack
ACP sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlining the significant challenges physicians continue to face in the aftermath of the February 21 cyberattack targeted at Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. The cybersecurity incident disrupted Change Healthcare's claims processing function and systems, causing many ACP members to be unable to process and receive payment for their care services. In the letter, the College promises to continue to collaborate and provide feedback on behalf of physicians to the federal government throughout the recovery from this cybersecurity incident.
UnitedHealth Group is working to restore the Change Healthcare electronic payment functionality and the medical claims network with full restoration expected the week of March 18. ACP members are strongly encouraged to check out Information on the Change Healthcare Cyber Response - UnitedHealth Group for updates on the situation.
In the letter to HHS, ACP asked for more information on the federal government's measures to ensure that widespread cybersecurity incidents like this do not occur again. The College is hopeful that HHS will continue to take steps to guarantee physicians receive payments and can continue to provide necessary and comprehensive care for patients.
In Case You Missed It
Find ways to celebrate internal medicine with ACP's Proud to be I.M. Physician Resources
The Proud to be I.M Physician Resources can help internal medicine physicians spread the word about and celebrate their profession with information and materials, including:
- Downloadable posters and email signatures to show your internal medicine pride
- Resources to help explain your unique role and all that you do
- Videos of ACP members expressing their pride of profession
Internal medicine physicians can show pride in their profession using the hashtags #IMProud or #IMPhysician in social media posts. The College encourages internal medicine physicians to submit a personal story for a chance to be featured on the ACP website or social media channels.
Visit How Internal Medicine Physicians Impact Patient Care page on the ACP website to learn more about professional identity, explore career pathways within internal medicine, and discover real examples of how internal medicine physicians are making an impact on patient care, medical education, and care in many different roles and settings.
Advocacy News From ACP
ACP Letter of Support for the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act
Letter supporting efforts to lead on policies that aim to lower the costs of prescription drugs and put patients first.
ACP Letter to HHS on Change Healthcare Cyberattack
Letter expressing concern regarding the recent cybersecurity incident involving Change Healthcare and its significant impact on physicians over the past two weeks and into the near future
ACP Statement to the Senate Budget Committee Regarding Hearing on Primary Care
ACP statement to committee supporting the recognition of the need for long-term policy solutions that will strengthen primary care and ensure that physicians are able to work in a health care delivery system that facilitates high quality value-based care for our patients.
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