Policy & Position Statements
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) works to shape health care policy and issues impacting the care of patients with rheumatic disease, and advances policies that will improve outcomes for patients. Discover resources on health policy and the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions and learn how the ACR is fighting for you and your patients.
Health Policy Statements
ACR advocacy is guided by health policy statements developed by the Government Affairs Committee and approved by the ACR Board of Directors. The statements inform members of Congress, regulatory entities, and partner organizations of ACR policy recommendations.
Key policy areas include improving access to rheumatology care, improving patients’ access to therapies, increasing support for rheumatology research and training, and alleviating the burden of utilization management policies on rheumatologists and rheumatology interprofessional team members.
ACR Principles on Prescription Drug Prices and Access to Treatment
The Value of Rheumatology White Paper
The Clinical & Economic Value of Rheumatology: An Analysis of Market Supply and Utilization in the United States, a white paper jointly published by the ACR and ECG Management Consultants, aims to highlight the clinical and economic value of rheumatology patient care.
Priority Issues
The ACR is fighting for the rheumatology community and better patient outcomes. View the ACR’s top advocacy priorities.
Position Statements
The ACR position statements are official statements that reflect the policy of the ACR on issues related to the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. These papers serve as a trusted and valuable resource for the healthcare industry.
Position statements are written by the Committee on Rheumatologic Care and approved by the ACR Board of Directors. The statements are updated every four years or when clinical circumstances dictate for review.
Access & Coverage
- Access to Care (August 2023)
- Beers Criteria (August 2022)
- Biosimilars (August 2024)
- Complexity of Biologics (August 2023)
- Compounding of Pharmacologic Agents (June 2021)
- Drug Pricing (May 2023)
- FDA Labeling (February 2024)
- Medical Liability Reform (August 2021)
- Payer Audits (May 2023)
- Prior Authorization (May 2024)
- Programs Limiting Copay Assistance (August 2022)
- Telemedicine (August 2024)
Research
- Use of Animals in Biomedical Research (November 2023)
- Comparative Effectiveness Research (August 2021)
- Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Rheumatic Disease (November 2024)
Role of Rheumatology
- Use of Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatology (November 2023)
- Clinical and Economic Value of Rheumatology (August 2023)
- Bone Density Measurement and the Role of Rheumatologists in Osteoporosis (August 2021)
- Use of Diagnostic Imaging in Rheumatology Practice (August 2022)
- Ultrasound for Rheumatologic Conditions (August 2022)
Treatment
- Clinical Laboratory Access and Optimization (November 2023)
- Office Laboratory Testing (November 2023)
- Considerations for Rheumatologists & ACR: Rheumatologists Performing Synovial Fluid Crystal Analysis (February 2025)
- Infusion and Clinic-Administered Injection Therapy in Community Rheumatology Practices (February 2023)
- Patient Access to Disease-Modifying Therapies (August 2023)
- Patient Safety and Site of Service for Infusible Biologics (February 2025)
- Pharmacovigilance (August 2022)
- Step Therapy (May 2024)
- Therapeutic Substitution (August 2022)
Tell Us About Issues Impacting You & Your Patients
Do you have a new or important policy issue that the ACR should be aware of? Fill out the form below to tell ACR Government Affairs what is impacting your practice and patients.