APMA News - September 2011 - (Page 32)

Federal Advocacy Forum By Phillip E. Ward, DPM The Pursuit of Parity In July, I had the opportunity to tour the John F Kennedy . Presidential Library. Of particular of interest to me was this quote from the president’s last speech to the United Nations on September 20, 1963: “Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. And, however undramatic the pursuit of peace, the pursuit must go on.” President Kennedy realized that world peace was a constant goal and that we should never rest until it is attained. More importantly, he realized that the pursuit of peace was in itself a goal. This sentiment resonated with me because it reminded me of our ongoing quest for parity. The pursuit of parity, too, is a long and undramatic path, documented on the APMA website at www.apma.org/titleX IXhistory. The following are a few ways we are pursuing parity in the 112th Congress. Medicare Fee Schedule APMA has joined forces with other medical groups to encourage Congress to rectify the inherent problems in the current Medicare fee schedule. The Medicare fee schedule is an example of parity, as there is no difference in reimbursement based on degree. Independent Payment Advisory Board HR 452/S 668 is the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2011/Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act. This bill would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) set up in the Accountable Care Act. The IPAB is controversial because it would have powers to act in place of Congress to set payment priorities and define benefits within Medicare. All major medical societies have joined with APMA to oppose the IPAB. Title XIX APMA has been successful in reintroducing the bill to recognize DPMs as physicians within Medicaid as defined in Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Schumer (D-NY) are the sponsors of S 1309. As of this writing, APMA and its lobbyists were still identifying sponsorship for a companion bill in the House of Representatives. Private Contracting The Medicare Patient Empowerment Act, HR 1700/S 1042 would allow all physicians to privately contract with individual Medicare patients for certain services without incurring penalties included in the current opt-out law. APMA supports this bill because it would give our members more freedom in treating Medicare patients and maintain parity within the Medicare system. Truth and Transparency The Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2011 (HR 451), introduced by Rep. Sullivan (R-OK), is a rehash of an old bill that never got out of committee. This bill would require all medical personnel to fully disclose their degree, licensure, and educational background and would require that their degree be evident in all advertising. This bill is redundant in view of state laws and professional medical societies’ codes of conduct and therefore unnecessary. Antitrust Reform APMA supports HR 1150, the Competitive Health Insurance Relief Act of 2011. This bill would remove the exemption from antitrust laws that health insurers enjoy. Passage of this bill would allow physicians to collectively bargain with insurers. Podiatrists are treated as equals in this bill. Parity is truly a gradual process that is undramatic, but the pursuit of parity is a necessity. APMA is present and accounted for on Capitol Hill, and with your help we can achieve parity in line with Vision 2015. n Malpractice Reform HR 5 is the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 and was introduced by Rep. Gingrey (R-GA). This bill was approved at the committee level and is awaiting house floor action. It would limit noneconomic damages and includes a three-year statute of limitations. APMA supports this bill because podiatrists are included along with other physician groups. 32 APMA News September 2011 APMA Trustee Phillip E. Ward, DPM, can be reached at peward@apma.org. http://www.apma.org/files/secure/index.cfm?FileID=8257 http://www.apma.org/files/secure/index.cfm?FileID=8257

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - September 2011

APMA News - September 2011
President’s Message
Contents
Highlights from the 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting
Residency as a First Step to Parity
Residency Consortium Enhances Podiatric Medical Training
The Value of Building Relationships with Legislators
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
IT Consultant
Can They Really Do That?
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
CPME Update
APMAPAC Chair Report
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Bylaws Propositions Due
Development Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

APMA News - September 2011