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ACR Federal Advocacy Hot Issues

Legislative Updates and ACR Action in Washington

Conference Committee Provides Best Opportunity for SGR Repeal

The conference committee appointed to find a long term solution to the SGR, payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits began its first round of meetings this week. The March 1st deadline to prevent a 27.4 percent cut to Medicare physician payments is quickly approaching.

Congress must continue to hear from rheumatologists, health professionals and patients that another short term fix is unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible. Temporary patches only increase the cost of repeal by billions of dollars every year. A two year patch alone will cost $39 billion and increase the cost of future efforts to repeal the SGR.

Keep up the pressure on all members of Congress by urging your lawmakers to support a conference committee report that includes full repeal of the SGR. A permanent solution is the only way to provide stability and ensure Medicare patients' access to quality care.

Get your patients involved! DownloadPDF Icon a Medicare flier or a Medicare poster for your waiting area to help make their voice heard.



Congress Passes Two-month "Doc Fix" (12/27/2011)

SGR Cut Remains Unresolved (12/22/2011)

Supercommittee Fails; Only a Few Weeks to Fix SGR (11/21/2011)

Now is the Time to Repeal the SGR (10/18/2011)

ACR Reviews 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (08/18/2011)

July is Juvenile Arthritis Month (07/21/2011)

Meet with your Member of Congress during Summer Recess (August 8-Sept. 5) (07/19/2011)

Debt Ceiling Discussions Consider Cuts to Biologics Reimbursement: Take Action! (07/14/2011)

ACR Letter to E&C on IPAB Hearing (07/12/2011)

ACR Testimony on Physician Payment Reform (06/02/2011)

Contact Congress: Legislation to Ensure Access to DXAs Introduced (05/26/2011)

ACR Responds: Provides Feedback to Congress on Physician Payment Reform (05/09/2011)

House Committee Requests ACR Input on SGR Reform (04/12/2011)

NIH Funding on the Chopping Block (03/28/2011)

Senator Lincoln Accepts Rheumatology Award during Advocacy Leadership Conference (03/14/2011)

ACR on Capitol Hill (03/02/2011)

ACR on Capitol Hill (03/02/2011)

NIH Funding on the Chopping Block (02/14/2011)

ACR Submits Comments on 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (01/03/2011)

ACR Participates in White House Forum on Delivery System Reform (12/20/2010)

Congress Passes 12-Month Extension to Avert Medicare Cuts (12/09/2010)

House Passes Extension to Delay Medicare Cuts (11/29/2010)

Update on Doc Fix (11/19/2010)

Time is Running Out (11/16/2010)

Mark Your Calendar. Wednesday, November 10 is "I Need My Rheumatologist!" Call-In Day (10/27/2010)

Latest News on Unapproved Colchicine Removal (09/30/2010)

Want Your Consultation Codes Back? Take Action Today! (09/23/2010)

House Committee Holds Hearing On The Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act (09/15/2010)

ACR on Capitol Hill September 21 (09/14/2010)

ACR Submits Comments on 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (08/24/2010)

While Congress is home in August make an impression—be an ACR Advocate! (08/02/2010)

ACR President Addresses SGR "Doc Fix" (06/25/2010)

Congress Delays 21% Medicare Cuts Through November (06/24/2010)

ACR President Writes Letter to Speaker Pelosi (06/23/2010)

Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Take Effect June 18 (06/21/2010)

Congress Fails to Avert 21.3% Cut to Medicare Physician Reimbursement (06/01/2010)

Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Averted until June 1 (04/21/2010)

Letter from FDA on Colcrys® (04/02/2010)

Medicare Physician Payment Cuts to Take Effect April 1 (03/29/2010)

URL Extends Patient Assistance Program for Colcrys® - Colchicine (02/26/2010)

Summary of January 21 Teleconference with FDA Regarding Colchicine (01/21/2010)

ACR Continues to Push for Pediatric Loan Repayment Program for Sub-specialists (01/14/2010)

Unapproved Colchicine Removed from the Market (12/22/2009)

ACR Working to Address the Elimination of Consultation Codes (12/18/2009)

Medicare Posters Have Arrived (11/18/2009)

ACR Meets with White House Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs (09/22/2009)

What Impact Will Elimination of Consultation Codes Have On You, Your Practice And Your Patients? (07/31/2009)

ACR Opposes the Removal of Consultation Codes and Cuts in Payment (07/15/2009)

Rheumatology AMA Delegates Hear President Obama Speak (06/16/2009)

ACR Urges Congress to Ensure Patient Access to DXA Scans (06/16/2009)

ACR Comments on the Senate Finance Committee’s First Paper Addressing Health Care Reform (05/22/2009)

Contact Congress and Urge Support of the Arthritis Act (05/12/2009)

American College of Rheumatology: The Future of Health Care in the United States (03/27/2009)

Eshoo and Upton Introduce Bill to Provide Relief for Millions with Arthritis (03/02/2009)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (02/17/2009)

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R.2) Signed by President Obama (02/06/2009)

Economic Stimulus Package to Include Health Related Provisions
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (02/06/2009)