The Rheum Advocate: February 12, 2026

ACR Advocacy Delivers Big Wins for Rheumatology

Last week, Congress passed legislation funding multiple agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense, through September 30, 2026. This funding deal sets the stage for continued ACR advocacy on payment policy, research funding, and patient access, with direct implications for rheumatologists and their patients. This package included a host of provisions that the ACR has been advocating for, including:

Access to Care

• Two-year extension of telehealth flexibilities under Medicare.

Drug Pricing Reforms

• New transparency and reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Medicare Part D.
• Decoupling PBM compensation from drug prices in Medicare Part D, marking progress on a long-standing ACR advocacy priority.
• Prohibition of spread pricing in Medicaid.

Research Investments

• $48.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $415 million increase over FY2025 levels.
• $9.1 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slightly above initial proposals.
• $10 million reinstated for the arthritis research line in the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
• Rejection of a proposed 15% cap on indirect research costs.
• Continuation of current grant funding models, preventing the switch to lump-sum grants.

The ACR will continue to advocate on Capitol Hill for policies that benefit the rheumatology community. For a detailed look on what’s guiding our advocacy this year, the 2026 ACR Policy Priorities outline the College’s highest-level policy solutions.

RheumPAC in Action: Your Support at Work

Because of investments from ACR members in RheumPAC, our team is building critical relationships with key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to advance rheumatology priorities. Recent RheumPAC-supported engagements include:

• Dinner with Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4): Emphasized the importance of strong, sustained funding for biomedical research that drives innovation in rheumatology care.
• Reception with the Tuesday Group: Connected with a caucus of pragmatic House Republicans who often play a pivotal role in shaping health and budget legislation that affects patient access and physician practices.
• Lunch with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-1): Discussed ongoing efforts to reform prior authorization, a top concern for rheumatology providers and patients.
• Lunch with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6): Engaged with the co-chair of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus on policies that support people living with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Donors to RheumPAC make these conversations possible and help ensure the rheumatology community has a strong voice on Capitol Hill. Join us in these efforts and make your contribution to RheumPAC today!

ACR Opposes Released DOE Proposed Rule That Threatens Health Care Workforce

The ACR strongly opposes the Department of Education’s newly released proposed rule that redefines “professional degrees” in a way that could worsen current shortages across the physician, nursing, and allied health professions.

The rule, now open for a 30-day public comment period ending March 2, 2026, is expected to be finalized by summer 2026.

What the DOE Proposed Rule Does

• Recognizes only 11 degrees as “professional degrees” for student loan purposes, while reclassifying advanced nursing (MSN, DNP, and research-focused PhDs), physician assistant, physical and occupational therapy, and audiology programs as “non-professional” graduate degrees with limited loan access.
• Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, students in these reclassified programs would face borrowing caps of $20,500 annually and $100,000 total.
• If enacted, the DOE’s proposed rule could deter capable individuals from entering vital healthcare fields, further exacerbating workforce shortages in rural and underserved regions.

ACR Advocacy Next Steps

• The ACR will submit formal comments to the DOE outlining how this rule would jeopardize the rheumatology workforce and undermine access to team-based care.
• The ACR is joining a broad coalition of medical organizations urging the DOE to preserve professional degree status—and full loan eligibility—for all advanced health education programs.

For a deeper look at the potential impacts of this rule, see the January 15 issue of The Rheum Advocate.

Mark Fisher Named Chair of ACR Independent Practice Subcommittee

The ACR is pleased to announce that Mark Fisher, MD, MPH, has been appointed Chair of the Independent Practice Subcommittee.

Dr. Fisher is a board-certified rheumatologist in private practice in Fall River, Massachusetts. He earned his MD and MPH from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, completed his internal medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and completed a rheumatology fellowship at NYU’s Hospital for Joint Diseases. He previously practiced at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he served on faculty at Harvard Medical School and held leadership roles within the Division of Rheumatology.

The ACR Independent Practice Subcommittee is a volunteer group within the ACR that focuses specifically on the needs and challenges of rheumatologists in independent and small community practices. It operates under the Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC), which addresses economic, technical, and ethical issues affecting rheumatology practice.

What it works on

• Identifying and elevating issues that disproportionately affect independent practices, such as reimbursement, administrative burden, prior authorization, and contracting with payers.
• Providing input to broader ACR policy and advocacy efforts so that independent practice perspectives are reflected in comment letters, meeting sessions, practice management tools, and payer-facing initiatives.
• Serving as a forum where community rheumatologists can share real-world practice challenges and highlight practical solutions and resources.

Why it matters for members

• Ensures that ACR’s advocacy and practice management resources are responsive to the realities of running and sustaining a private rheumatology practice.
• Helps inform new tools, templates, and educational content tailored to independent practices, including guidance on starting, maintaining, or transitioning a rheumatology practice.

With extensive experience in clinical care, research, and practice leadership, Dr. Fisher brings valuable perspective to the challenges facing independent rheumatology practices. As Chair, he will help guide the subcommittee’s work—and the ACR’s broader efforts—to ensure the needs of private practice members continue to be addressed.

The Next Generation of the RISE Registry Is Here—Join the Preview!

On Thursday, March 5 at 1:00 PM EST, the ACR is excited to unveil the new RISE registry, designed with your practice in mind. Join us for a quick, interactive webinar to see how this smarter platform can make quality improvement easier—and more meaningful—for you and your team.

In just 30 minutes, you will:

• Take a guided tour of RISE’s fresh look and intuitive dashboard.
• Explore its full set of QPP reportable quality measures built specifically for rheumatology.
• Learn how to use RISE’s powerful data tools to discover insights that can drive better patient outcomes.

You will also meet the friendly RISE and IQVIA teams who support practices every step of the way—from setup to ongoing data and quality improvement support.

Whether you are thinking about joining RISE or simply curious about its new features, this session is the perfect chance to see what is possible.

Reserve your spot today! Register now >

Discover What’s Ahead: 2026 Rheumatology State Society Calendar of Events

The 2026 Rheumatology Calendar of Events offers a full lineup of state society educational and networking opportunities designed to help you connect, learn, and lead in rheumatology.

Whether you are deepening clinical expertise, engaging in advocacy, or exploring the latest science shaping rheumatologic care, you will find opportunities throughout the year to expand your knowledge and network.

The calendar is continuously updated as new meetings are announced, so be sure to check back often for the latest details.

Stay connected, stay current—and make the most of a year full of discovery and community in rheumatology.