Advocacy and Health Policy News Archive
2011
ACS Works to Improve Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
This year, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) is up for reauthorization. The College believes the bill should be strengthened to ensure that our nation’s trauma and emergency care systems are adequately equipped to respond to public health emergencies. After working with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the College successfully gained inclusion of language that takes an important step forward in achieving those goals.
View the letter (170K PDF)
ACS Supports ASC Quality and Access Act of 2011 (S. 1173, H.R. 2108)
On June 22, ACS Executive Director, David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS expressed the College’s support for the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access (ASCQA) Act of 2011 (S. 1173, H.R. 2108). Dr. Hoyt expressed support for the ASCQA Act in letters to the bill’s bipartisan Senate and House sponsors—Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), and Rep. John Larson (D-CT). Despite the fact that ASCs and HOPDs provide the same surgical services, Medicare reimburses ASCs at only 56% of the amount paid to HOPDs for identical services. To preserve access to ASCs and to address this growing inequity, the ASCQA Act would update future Medicare payments to ASCs using the same market basket update—which measures growth in health care costs—that is used to update Medicare payments to HOPDs. The legislation also promotes high quality care by establishing quality reporting and by implementing a value-based purchasing (VBP) program for ASCs.
View the House letter (165K PDF)
View the Senate letter (165K PDF)
ACS signs letter of support for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program
On July 26, the American College of Surgeons along with 25 other organizations concerned about the adequacy of the pediatric workforce sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriators in support of funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program created by the Affordable Care Act. This program, if funded, could provide up to $35,000 in loan repayments per year for up to three years for pediatric surgeons and other specialists who agree to practice in shortage areas for at least 2 years. The program was authorized at $30 million for each fiscal year (FY) between 2010 and 2014 but to date has received no funding. Given the current difficult budget environment, the letter requests a modest appropriation of $5 million for the program for FY2012 which begins October 1, 2011.
View the letter (65K PDF)
ACS and the Surgical Community Oppose Cuts to GME
On Thursday June 14th, The American College of Surgeons along with 18 other surgical organizations sent a letter to the President and Congressional leadership in opposition to cuts to Graduate Medical Education (GME). The letter, sent in response to proposals to reduce investments in GME as part of deficit reduction proposals, notes that reduced federal support would only intensify projected shortages in surgery and other specialties.
View the letter (25K PDF)
ACS Commends Bipartisan Effort to Reform Medicare Physician Payments
On Tuesday, July 19, 17 physician organizations, including the American College of Surgeons(ACS), issued a statement commending the Senate Bipartisan “Gang of 6” for recognizing that reform of the Medicare physician payment formula—specifically a full repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula over the next 10 years—must be included in deficit reduction legislation. In the statement, the organizations, which collectively represent more than 700,000 physicians, reiterated that they will continue to work with the many members of Congress from both chambers and both parties who are committed to resolving the Medicare physician payment issue once and for all.
View the statement (80K PDF)
ACS and Physician Community Call on White House and Congress to Reform the Medicare Physician Payment System
On June 27, 113 national and state physician societies and organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, sent a letter to the President, Vice-President, Speaker of the House, the Senate and House Majority and Minority Leaders, and other key congressional leaders expressing support for including much-needed measures to address the broken Medicare physician payment system in the context of debt ceiling legislation. As Fellows know, unless Congress intervenes, Medicare physician payments are scheduled to be cut 29.5 percent on January 1, 2012 because of the broken sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that is used to calculate Medicare payments. The College continues to call on Congress to stop these cuts and replace the SGR with a Medicare payment system that preserves and promotes patient access to quality surgical care.
Click here to view the letter
(20K PDF)
ACS Opposes MedPAC Recommendations to Cut Payments, Limit Access to Imaging Services
On June 15, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its June 2011 Report to the Congress, which included recommendations that would cut Medicare reimbursement for imaging services provided in physician offices and would require prior authorization for imaging services ordered by some physicians. Following the report’s release, the Coalition for Patient-Centered Imaging (CPCI), of which the College is a member, released a statement expressing disappointment with the recommendations, which could negatively impact patient access to high quality, cost effective options in imaging and diagnostic services.
Read the statement (30K PDF)
ACS offers support for the HEALTH Act
On June 6, 2011, the ACS sent a letter to Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) to commend them for introducing the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act (S. 1099). The HEALTH Act would stabilize the current health care liability crisis and reduce the number of malpractice claims without merit.
Click here to view the letter to Senators Blunt and Kirk (165K PDF)
ACS offers support for the “Medical Practice Freedom Act of 2011” (H.R. 969)
On May 2, 2011, the ACS sent a letter to Rep. Thomas E. Price, MD, FACS expressing the College’s support for the “Medical Practice Freedom Act of 2011” (H.R. 969). The Medical Practice Freedom Act would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services or any state from requiring that a physician or other health care provider participate in any health plan as a condition of licensure.
Click here to view the letter (180K PDF)
ACS opposes the “Medicare Physician Payment Transparency and Assessment Act of 2011” (H.R. 1256)
In a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking members of the key House committees on May 4, 2011, the ACS expressed opposition to the “Medicare Physician Payment Transparency and Assessment Act of 2011” (H.R. 1256), which would require that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) employ the services of outside contractors and annually analyze potentially misvalued services and codes under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). The ACS believes that this legislation is unnecessary, duplicative, and would ignore previous lessons about contractors’ inability to assess the relative value of services under the MPFS.
Click here to view the letter (185K PDF)
ACS submits Medicare Physician Payment letter to the House Energy & Commerce Committee
On April 28, 2011, the ACS sent a response to a bi-partisan letter to leaders of physician organizations from senior members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The letter called for specific ideas and proposals on how to reform the Medicare physician payment system.
Click here to view the letter (200K PDF)
ACS and 46 Other Organizations Send Letter to Members of the House of Representatives Regarding the Importance of the Relative Value Update Committee (RUC)
Click here to view the letter (25K PDF)
2010
ACS Signs Joint Letter to Donald Berwick, MD Regarding ACOs
On December 3, 2010, the American College of Surgeons and 16 other organizations sent a letter to Donald Berwick, MD, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, responding to a request for information regarding Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Read the letter in its entirety (15K PDF)
ACS Signs Joint Letter regarding resident work hours to the Honorable David Michaels, PhD, MPH
On December 7, 2010, the American College of Surgeons and 19 other organizations sent a letter to the Honorable David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, adamantly opposing any additional regulatory intervention from OSHA, or any other entity, which would jeopardize the integrity of physician education, and supporting the current regulation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Read the full letter (15K PDF)
Members of the House and Senate Support the Appointment of a Surgeon to the National Health Care Workforce Commission
Read the Senate letter (60K PDF)
ACS Signs Joint Letter to House and Senate Leadership to Request Funding for the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program in FY 2011
On April 19, the American College of Surgeons and 32 other organizations sent a letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairman David Obey (D-WI) requesting that the $26.25 million that was authorized for the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program in FY 2011 be fully appropriated. This funding will continue the success of the EMSC program and allow it to maintain and improve its current activities, take advantage of important opportunities, and address emerging threats to child health.
Read the Senate letter (20K PDF)
Read the House letter (20K PDF)
Members of the House and Senate Support the Appointment of a Surgeon to the National Health Care Workforce Commission
On June 17, 2010, more than 50 Congressmen and Senators led by Representatives Dan Maffei (D-NY) and Tom Price, MD (R-GA), and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Richard Burr (R-NC), sent letters to Acting Comptroller General Dodaro requesting that a surgeon be included in appointments to the National Health Care Workforce Commission. The National Health Care Workforce Commission, created as part of health care reform legislation, will serve as a resource to Congress, the President, and State and local governments to ensure that the expanding demand for health care services is met now and in the future.
Read the House letter (300K PDF)
On May 11, the American College of Surgeons and 24 other surgical societies sent a letter to members of the House and Senate stating our opposition to a five year freeze in Medicare payment rates. The letter followed a February 2010 survey of our memberships, which demonstrated the detrimental impact that a 21.2 percent cut in Medicare physician payments would have on the accessibility of quality care. ACS and the surgical coalition remain committed to repealing the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and establishing a new base-line for the physician payment system.
Read the letter (30K PDF)
Click here to view the survey report (610K PDF)
Members of the House and Senate Support Trauma Systems Funding
On April 16, 2010, 10 Senators led by Jack Reed (D-RI) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) sent a letter requesting funding for the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act (P.L. 110-23), in fiscal year 2011 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, & Education Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS). Led by Representatives Gene Green (D-TX) and Michael Burgess (D-TX), 12 members of the House also sent a letter in support of trauma systems funding.to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, & Education Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS). The American College of Surgeons thanks all members of its Committee on Trauma who called their members of congress requesting they sign on to the letter in support of funding for the critical trauma systems program.
Read the letter (Senate) (295K PDF)
Read the letter (House) (1395K PDF)
ACS Signs a Joint Letter to House and Senate Leadership to Request Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Funding in FY 2011
On March 19, the American College of Surgeons, along with 16 other organizations, wrote to House Chairman David Obey (D-WI), House Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Senate Chairman Inouye (D-HI) and Senate Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS) requesting that $224 million in funding be included in the FY 2011 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Act for the trauma and emergency medical services programs in both the House- and Senate-passed versions of comprehensive health care reform legislation.
View the March 19 Letter to House Leadership (135K PDF)
View the March 19 Letter to Senate Leadership (135K PDF)
ACS and 22 Other Surgical Organizations Contact Speaker Pelosi with Concerns on Senate-Passed Health Legislation
On March 12, the American College of Surgeons along with 22 other organizations representing more than 240,000 surgeons and anesthesiologists wrote to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to reiterate their shared commitment to national health care reform and to improving Americans’ access to quality, affordable care. The letter highlights the groups’ opposition to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) when it was considered by the Senate, and the letter stresses the need to address several shortcomings in H.R. 3590 in order protect and preserve the best interest of surgical patients.
View the March 12 Letter to Speaker Pelosi (30K PDF)
2009
In a September 11, 2009 letter to House and Senate Leaders, the American College of Surgeons, along with 20 other surgical specialties, urge Congress to include Medical Liability Reform in any final health care reform legislation.
View the House Letter (30K PDF)
View the Senate Letter (30K PDF)
Statement from House of Surgery regarding recent comments from President Obama
In a August 20 statement issued to the media, the American College of Surgeons and 18 other surgical specialties comment on the uninformed remarks recently made by President Obama regarding the surgical profession.
View the Letter (15K PDF)
Statement from the American College of Surgeons Regarding Recent Comments from President Obama
Bipartisan Coalition Expresses Strong Opposition to Proposals for an Unelected, Unaccountable Medicare Payment Council
On July 31, Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) led a coalition of 75 Representatives comprised of 45 Democrats and 30 Republicans in sending a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) expressing strong opposition to the “Independent Medicare Advisory Council (IMAC) Act of 2009”, which has been proposed by the Obama Administration, and the “Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009” (H.R. 2718, S. 1110, S. 1380).
View the Letter (1200K PDF)
ACS FAQ Regarding Health Care Reform Legislation HR 3200
The American College of Surgeons releases a series of Frequently Asked Questions regarding health care reform and the ACS’ initial support for H.R. 3200, the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009”.
View the FAQ online (25K PDF)
ACS Statement to Speaker Pelosi on H.R. 2718, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009
In a July 21, 2009 statement to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the ACS and 15 other surgical specialties voice their strong opposition to the proposed changes to the MedPAC structure and creation of the Independent Medicare Advisory Council.
View the statement online (15K PDF)
ACS Statements on H.R 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009
In a July 16, 2009 statement to Chairman Rangel, Waxman, and Miller, the American College of Surgeons express support for H.R. 3200. While the legislation includes a wide range of provisions, it does embody many of the top legislative priorities of the College including addressing the underlying problems of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) used to calculate Medicare physician payments, resetting the budget baseline for the Medicare physician payment system, and ensuring that increased payments to primary care are not financed through reductions in payments for surgical care.
View the statement online (155K PDF)
Comments on the House Tri-Committee Draft Health Care Reform
In a June 30, 2009 statement, the American College of Surgeons, along with 20 other surgical specialties, responds to draft legislation on health care reformrecently introduced by the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees.
View the Statement online (135K PDF)
Surgical groups form “Operation Patient Access: Quality Surgical Care for all” to call attention to escalating workforce shortage
Surgical groups, led by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), along with other key health care stakeholders, today announced the formation of Operation Patient Access: Quality Surgical Care for All, an effort to bring into focus the urgent issues facing access to quality surgical care in the
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United Surgery Agenda
The surgical community stands united in the effort to bring fundamental and long-term change to the Medicare physician payment system. The House of Surgery has three top priorities for this effort: Repealing the current sustainable growth rate (SGR) and establishing a new baseline for the physician payment system; Replacing the current SGR with a system of multiple conversion factors; and Ensuring that any additional payments that are made to primary care physicians are not budget neutral within the physician payment pool.
View the full Statement online (30K PDF)
Bipartisan Coalition Calls for Action to Stop Medicare Payment Cuts and to Enact Medicare Payment Reform This Year
Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) led a coalition of 90 Representatives in sending an April 30 letter that urges House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to take action to increase Medicare payments to physicians in 2010 and to initiate much-needed reform of Medicare’s payment system this year. The letter also expresses strong opposition to any proposal that would finance increased payments for some physicians and physician services through decreased payments to other physicians. At present, Medicare physician payments are scheduled to be cut 21.5 percent in 2010 and by more than 40 percent over the next decade. These scheduled cuts are a result of Medicare’s flawed methodology for calculating physician reimbursement, known as the sustainable growth rate (SGR). Unfortunately some have proposed financing Medicare payments for some physicians and services by cutting payments for the care provided by other physician specialties, including surgeons. With Medicare payments already not keeping pace with the rising practice costs, such proposals could potentially threaten patient access to the life-saving care provided by surgeons and other physician specialties. The College appreciates the efforts of the many Fellows who reached out to their representatives and asked them to sign onto this important letter that would support increased Medicare payments for all physicians.
View the Dear Colleague Letter online (1000K PDF)
American College of Surgeons’ Letter to Congress regarding H.R. 1678, the "Mitigating the Impact of Uncompensated Service and Time Act of 2009"
Introduced by Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), H.R. 1678 provides physicians a tax deduction equal to the amount of the Medicare fee schedule payment, seeks to alleviate the burden of providing uncompensated care in our nation's EDs and to encourage critical surgical specialists to return to the EDs. The College will continue to work with members of Congress on this and other legislation to address the workforce challenges facing surgery.
View the letter online (150K PDF)
American College of Surgeons Statement on Health Care Reform
In its newly issued Statement on Health Care Reform, the American College of Surgeons urges Congress and the Administration to take action concerning three critically important and interrelated goals for health care: Quality and Safety, Access/Workforce, and Reduction of Health Care Costs. This document sets forth for each of these priorities specific actions that Congress and the incoming President and Administration should support, as well as related activities the ACS is committed to undertaking.
View the Statement online (100K PDF)
Restrictions on Resident Work Hours
American College of Surgeons (ACS) position statement presented to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Consensus Committee
Developed by the ACS Task Force on the Resident 80-Hour Work Week, this statement explores key issues on the topic, including a decisive discussion on the fact that there has been no evidence-based study yet published that links surgery resident duty hours with improved patient safety outcomes.
Read the full ACS statement to the IOM online
“Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act” (H.R. 914) Approved by House Energy and Commerce Committee
The number of surgeons trained through the nation’s graduate medical education system has not expanded for more than two decades. A growing patient population and a static supply of practicing surgeons are combining with other forces to produce surgical workforce shortages. On Wednesday, March 4, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved the Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act (H.R. 914), legislation that would direct the Secretary to establish an interest-free loan program whereby hospitals committed to starting new residency training programs in one or a combination of seven medical specialties, including general surgery, could secure start-up funding to offset the initial costs of starting such programs. Providing a greater number of residency training programs in previously underserved areas will help reduce surgical workforce shortages in many states. This legislation is considered an appropriate first step. The College will continue to support H.R. 914 and other legislation that helps ensure patient access to surgical care.
View the College’s letter to Reps. Burgess and Green in support of H.R. 914 (185K PDF)
Letters to House and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman requesting $25 million for the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program
In a July 14, 2009 letter to Chairman Obey and Chairman Harkin, the American College of Surgeons and 47 other health care associations request $25 million in funding for the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program in the Health Resources and Services Administration for Fiscal Year 2010.
View the Harkin letter online (15K PDF)
View the Obey letter online (15K PDF)
Letter to U.S. Senate regarding Trauma Funding for Fiscal Year 2010 and the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) are currently circulating a sign-on letter in the U.S. Senate requesting $12 million in funding for the Trauma-EMS program for FY 2010. Please act now and urge your senator to join this sign-on letter.
View the letter online (175K PDF)
"Wakefield Act" (H.R. 479/S. 408) Approved by House Energy and Commerce Committee
In 2009, the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program marks its 25th anniversary of improving emergency care for children. Since the EMSC program was established, death rates due to pediatric injury have dropped by an astounding 40 percent. All children deserve access to the best care when they are ill or injured. On Wednesday, March 4, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved the Wakefield Act (H.R. 479), legislation that would reauthorize the EMSC program for an additional five years. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate (S. 408). The College will continue to support efforts to ensure the reauthorization of the Wakefield Act.
View the College’s sign-on letter in support of H.R. 479 (20K PDF)
View the College’s sign-on letter in support of S. 408 (15K PDF)
Revised November 3, 2011