APMA News - November/December 2011 - (Page 46)

Federal Advocacy Forum By Phillip E. Ward, DPM The APMA Legislative Team is Working for YOU On October 28, the APMA Legislative Committee met at APMA headquarters in Bethesda, MD. The charge to this committee is “to seek legislative changes that will benefit the podiatric profession and its patients and to promote successful legislative advocacy for podiatric medicine through effective partnerships and communication.” Members of the Legislative Committee are: Charles Schumer (D-NY), has been introduced. HR 3364, the companion House bill, was introduced in November by Representative Lee Terry (R-NE). The committee discussed three aspects of the future progress of the proposed legislation. First is the possibility of attaching our bill to another bill that is related and has a probability of passing. We are searching for such a bill. The second issue is finding additional sources of support for our bill. Organizations that we had not previously considered approaching for support were identified, and those groups will be contacted to solicit their support. Third, the committee discussed the Thomson Reuters and Duke University studies and developed ideas about how to use them to demonstrate to Congress and the Congressional Budget Office the cost savings realized by podiatric care. Other Legislative Issues–The committee also covered other topics, including Veterans Affairs; antitrust issues; malpractice reform; student loan repayment/deferment possibilities; small business issues; and Federal Trade Commission oversight of health provider representation. 2012 Legislative Conference–The US Congress will be in session during the 2012 APMA House of Delegates and Legislative Conference. Therefore, APMA is returning to its traditional format of scheduling congressional office visits during the Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, March 19– 21, 2012. APMAPAC Report–Gerald Peterson, DPM, chair of APMAPAC, gave an update on Campaign 2011–2012. He reported that despite the state of the economy and members’ frustration with the lack of passage of Title XIX, our PAC remains a strong force with considerable influence. He repeated the call to support APMAPAC for the success of our legislative and political agenda. • • • • • • • • • • • Phillip Ward, DPM, APMA trustee, Legislative Committee chair; Cabell Adams, DPM, young physician designee; Dan Davis, DPM, APMA trustee, Health Systems Committee designee; Ira Kraus, DPM, APMA trustee, State Advocacy Committee designee; Seth Rubenstein, DPM, APMA trustee, Health Policy Committee designee; Andrew Shapiro, DPM, APMA member at large; Gerald Peterson, DPM, APMAPAC chair, advisor; Karen Wrubel, DPM, advisor; Randy Kaplan, DPM, observer; Jimelle Rumberg, PhD, CAE, American Society of Podiatry Executives observer; and Michael King, DPM, APMA president, ex-officio member. • The committee discussed the following issues of importance to APMA members: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update–The planned 29-percent decrease in the CMS fee schedule and potential remedies to the Sustainable Growth Rate were discussed in detail. APMA is involved in multiple coalitions across multiple specialties related to this issue. A long-term resolution is, at press time, unlikely, and APMA expects another short-term fix. We will continue to lobby for a long-term resolution. Health-care Reform–The provider non-discrimination victories APMA won in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been maintained thus far. The committee discussed CMS rules related to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). It appears that podiatrists can participate in all facets of ACOs with the exception of administering them. The committee reviewed legal challenges to ACA, and it appears that a US Supreme Court resolution to these challenges will not be completed before June 2012. Medicaid Title XIX; DPM Physician Deﬁnition–Senate bill 1309, sponsored by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and • • • This face-to-face Legislative Committee meeting was a great success. The legislative team looks forward to continuing its work toward total federal parity for podiatrists. A full list of current congressional bills APMA is following can be found at www.apma.org/legupdate. You can help by sending a letter to your congressman and senators at the e-Advocacy website, www.apma.org/eAdvo cacy. Remember—we need your help to help you. n • APMA Trustee Phillip E. Ward, DPM, can be reached at peward@apma.org. 46 APMA News November/December 2011 http://www.apma.org http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - November/December 2011

APMA News - November/December 2011
Help Your Patients Get Up and Dance with APMA’s Diabetes Awareness Campaign
President’s Message
Contents
Special Section: Corporate Partners and Members Make a Difference
State Advocacy Case Study: NYSPMA Puts Thomson Reuters Data in the Spotlight
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Can They Really Do That?
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
In Short
APMA Out and About
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Resolutions Submissions
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

APMA News - November/December 2011