Advocacy
Spotlight
Getting Answers to Your Questions about Health Care Reform
This year the College has been working to deliver the message to Congress about what our top priorities are for health care reform. On Oct. 27, ACP sent a letter to Senate leaders that shares the College's views on Senate health reform legislation.
Using these priorities we have analyzed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, legislation that was passed by the House of Representatives on Nov. 7, in comparison to ACP policy. View our analysis as either a short snapshot![[PDF]](/graphics/new/pdf.gif){kind=small}
of key issues, or as more detailed answers to frequently asked questions. On Nov. 2 the College sent a letter to House leadership indicating support for the key policies in the legislation. ACP has also analyzed the alternative that House Republicans presented as a substitute amendment to H.R. 3962. Click here to view our snapshot analysis. The Senate is also expected to release new legislation; once they do we will be providing a similar analysis for that bill.
ACP has also joined the coalition Americans for Stable Quality Care to further spread our message that meaningful health care reform is needed this year. The coalition is currently running a television ad on broadcast and cable stations in several targeted states around the country. The ad is featured, along with more information about the coalition on their Web site.
Additional information about the latest happenings in health care reform can be found on many non-partisan Web sites. For information in addition to what the College has provided, you may be interested in visiting:
The Commonwealth Fund Nov. 2 report: The Comprehensive Congressional Health Reform Bills of 2009: A Look at Health Insurance, Delivery System, and Financing Provisions
FactCheck.org, a non-partisan, nonprofit consumer advocate Web site.
Kaiser Family Foundation, side-by-side comparison of major health care reform proposals.
Politifact.com, a Pulitzer Prize winning Web site produced by non-partisan journalists.
Where We Stand - The Latest
Access to Care
- Letter to ACP Members, "Update on Priorities in Health Care Reform;" Letter from Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP, president of ACP (18-Nov-09)
- Joint letter to the White House in support of including medical liability reform in health care reform legislation; Letter to: President Barack Obama (16-Sept-09)
- ACP's Comments on Senator Baucus' America's Healthy Future Act of 2009; Letter from: Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP, president of ACP (21-Sept-09)
- UPDATED: ACP's answers to frequently asked questions about America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, H.R. 3200; (12-Aug-09)
- Joint Letter in Support of Health Care Reform (30-Jul-09)
Medicare Issues
- ACP's Summary of the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (5-Nov-09)
- ACP's answers to frequently asked questions about the Proposed 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (14-Sep-09)
- ACP Comments on Proposed 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule; Letter to: Charlene Frizzera, acting administrator of CMS (31-Aug-09)
Advocacy in Action
- ACP Advocate Newsletter:
An e-newsletter, edited by the College's Washington, DC governmental affairs division, created to provide you, our members, with succinct news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care. - Join the Key Contact Program:
Become an advocate for fellow Internists, patients and medical students. ACP depends on over 5,600 Key Contacts to communicate with their members of Congress on issues of importance. We have the tools you need to develop and maintain relationships on Capitol Hill. - Advocacy Events:
Find out more about ACP’s Annual State of the Nation’s Health Care event, ACP Services’ Leadership Day, and other advocacy events.
PCMH Advocacy Efforts
- H.R. 1898, the Life Sustaining Treatment Preferences Act of 2009; Letter To: Congressman Blumenauer (5-May-09)
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Policy Highlights
Public Policy Virtual Library
The Public Policy Virtual Library (PPVL) is a repository of ACP's current and historic policies and the Policy Compendium.
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ACP Services is committed to providing additional advocacy efforts on behalf of internists.