December 20, 2024
Congressional News and Perspective
In Final Congressional Week of 2024, ACP Urges Congress to Stop the Medicare Payment Cut and Enact Prior Authorization Reforms
The short-term spending bill expires Dec. 20, and congressional action is needed to prevent a lapse in federal funding
Advocacy in Action
ACP Urges Congress to Extend Marketplace Plan Premium Tax Credits to Ensure Health Insurance Affordability
In letter to HHS, ACP also advocates for patient protections and making the process of shopping for marketplace plans more patient-friendly
In Case You Missed It
Dr. Jokela on KevinMD: The answer is gratitude—and it puts you in a good place
Janet Jokela, MD, MPH, MACP, senior associate dean of engagement at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and ACP's Treasurer, discusses how in this post- presidential election period, real gratitude can help during this time of deep divides, concern for our patients, neighbors, and families, and anxiety about the future in her article, “The answer is gratitude and it puts you in a good place,” now available on the KevinMD website. Kevin Pho is an internal medicine physician and founder and editor of KevinMD, one of the web's most influential medical websites.
In her column, Dr. Jokela notes, “All of us learn and grow together with our professional communities, however they are defined, which helps each of us to better navigate today's challenges. Our colleagues, wherever they may be, inspire us.”
Upcoming Webinar: ACP's 2025 Advocacy Priorities
Join ACP's leadership as they review the 2025 key advocacy priorities and approach for the new presidential administration and Congress.
Tuesday, January 14, 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT)
Quick Hits
Advocacy News
Letter to the Departments of Health & Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury regarding the Enhancing Coverage of Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act proposed rule, which would require private payers to cover OTC contraceptives without a prescription and cost sharing and substantially enhance access to important reproductive health care items and services.
ACP Response to RFI on Medicare $2 Drug List
Letter in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information on the Medicare $2 Drug List Model, recommending that CMS should empower prescribers through revising prior authorization and step therapy requirements, ensure the $2 Drug List is financially practical, and prioritize the prescription drug benefit for low-income beneficiaries who lack prescription drug coverage.
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