American College of Rheumatology Visits Capitol Hill to Advocate for Policies to Protect and Support Patient Access to Care
ATLANTA – Physician advocates and patients are joining members and fellows-in-training from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in Washington, DC to urge lawmakers to support legislation to expand access to care, protect research funding, and strengthen the rheumatology workforce.
“The American College of Rheumatology is proud to lead more than 130 advocates from across the country in meetings with their elected officials to advocate for critical reforms,” said Amanda Myers, MD, FACR, chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the ACR. “Our nation is facing a growing healthcare workforce shortage, and at a time when 72% of US counties do not have a single rheumatologist, demand for care is on the rise. Now is the time for Congress to take action to reduce barriers to access, fix flawed Medicare payment systems, and support the growth of research, so we can more effectively care for the millions of patients across the country living with rheumatic diseases.”
In their meetings, patients, physicians, and leaders from the ACR are encouraging lawmakers to support the following policy priorities:
- Making Treatments More Affordable: Rising drug costs create one of the most significant barriers to care for patients with rheumatic diseases. By supporting Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) transparency reforms and demanding greater oversight, Congress can help ensure that savings are passed on to patients rather than absorbed within the system. Advocates are asking lawmakers to support the PBM Fiduciary Accountability, Integrity, and Reform (FAIR) Act (S. 3549), PBM Transparency Act (S. 526), and DRUG Act (H.R. 2214).
- Protecting Access to Complex Therapies: Ongoing reimbursement challenges are threatening the sustainability of physician-administered therapies covered under Part B in community-based settings. The Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act (H.R. 4299) offers a solution by stabilizing Medicare reimbursement and helping ensure that patients can continue receiving infusions and other advanced therapies in their local communities – without unnecessary delays or disruptions.
- Safeguarding Medicare Access: Medicare remains a lifeline for many patients with chronic rheumatic conditions, yet payment instability and administrative burdens can make it harder for providers to deliver care. During their meetings, advocates are emphasizing the need for long-term Medicare payment reform, including solutions that address physician payment cuts and support practice sustainability, such as the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163).
- Protecting Medicaid Coverage: Advocates are urging lawmakers to protect and strengthen Medicaid by preserving coverage, maintaining access to specialists, and ensuring that patients can receive timely, appropriate treatment regardless of income.
“With approximately one in four Americans struggling with rheumatic disease, the ACR is proud to advocate for policies that will strengthen the rheumatology workforce, expand patient access to timely and innovative care, and improve outcomes. We look forward to continuing our efforts alongside lawmakers to advance these legislative solutions moving forward,” Dr. Myers concluded.
Media Contact
Teri Arnold
Director, Public Relations & Communications
757-272-7002
tarnold@rheumatology.org
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About the American College of Rheumatology
Founded in 1934, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is a not-for-profit, professional association committed to advancing the specialty of rheumatology that serves nearly 10,500 physicians, health professionals, researchers and scientists worldwide. In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatology professionals are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.