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Secure a CHEST Foundation Research Award
In anticipation of the 2019 CHEST Foundation grants cycle, opening in late February, CHEST Foundation staff sat down with 2017 CHEST Foundation Community Service grant winner, Sharon Armstead, RRT, Director of Clinical Education & Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University, to learn more about her project supporting respiratory asthma clinics in Guyana.
Ms. Armstead’s program takes respiratory care students from her institution on a study abroad trip to Guyana with aims to educate Guyanese student populations about asthma and teach them self-management skills. Additionally, she and her students work alongside clinicians at Georgetown Public Hospital to host a mobile asthma clinic that provides asthma screenings and education for Guyanese students, the first of its kind at Texas State University.
This passion for supporting clinics in Guyana stems from a deeply personal place. “Guyana is my country of birth. I left when I was 14. I came back many years later realizing that I can give back to the county that gave me so much.” Ms. Armstead shared.
“The CHEST Foundation grant opened doors for me that had never been opened before. Members of the community were very open to hearing what we had to say and receptive to the changes we suggested they make in their daily lives. The financial portion of the award allowed me to purchase additional spirometers for the asthma clinic, allowing for a whole new level of outpatient testing and outreach in the community.”
In addition to the impact she and her students have in Georgetown, Ms. Armstead says opportunity provided to her students was life-changing for them. “To watch my students communicate with people in a different country really helps build their confidence as future clinicians.” Her study program received a significant growth in attendance over the past few years. “When we first started doing this study abroad in Guyana, I only had 2 students interested… We took 14 respiratory care students to Guyana in 2017. It’s really elevated this study abroad program at my institution.”
The CHEST Foundation’s grants cycle opens in late February. Visit our grants page to view the RFPs for our 2019 offerings and see a step-by-step walkthrough of how simple it is to apply for funding! Be a champion of lung health, and secure your research award today!
In anticipation of the 2019 CHEST Foundation grants cycle, opening in late February, CHEST Foundation staff sat down with 2017 CHEST Foundation Community Service grant winner, Sharon Armstead, RRT, Director of Clinical Education & Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University, to learn more about her project supporting respiratory asthma clinics in Guyana.
Ms. Armstead’s program takes respiratory care students from her institution on a study abroad trip to Guyana with aims to educate Guyanese student populations about asthma and teach them self-management skills. Additionally, she and her students work alongside clinicians at Georgetown Public Hospital to host a mobile asthma clinic that provides asthma screenings and education for Guyanese students, the first of its kind at Texas State University.
This passion for supporting clinics in Guyana stems from a deeply personal place. “Guyana is my country of birth. I left when I was 14. I came back many years later realizing that I can give back to the county that gave me so much.” Ms. Armstead shared.
“The CHEST Foundation grant opened doors for me that had never been opened before. Members of the community were very open to hearing what we had to say and receptive to the changes we suggested they make in their daily lives. The financial portion of the award allowed me to purchase additional spirometers for the asthma clinic, allowing for a whole new level of outpatient testing and outreach in the community.”
In addition to the impact she and her students have in Georgetown, Ms. Armstead says opportunity provided to her students was life-changing for them. “To watch my students communicate with people in a different country really helps build their confidence as future clinicians.” Her study program received a significant growth in attendance over the past few years. “When we first started doing this study abroad in Guyana, I only had 2 students interested… We took 14 respiratory care students to Guyana in 2017. It’s really elevated this study abroad program at my institution.”
The CHEST Foundation’s grants cycle opens in late February. Visit our grants page to view the RFPs for our 2019 offerings and see a step-by-step walkthrough of how simple it is to apply for funding! Be a champion of lung health, and secure your research award today!
In anticipation of the 2019 CHEST Foundation grants cycle, opening in late February, CHEST Foundation staff sat down with 2017 CHEST Foundation Community Service grant winner, Sharon Armstead, RRT, Director of Clinical Education & Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University, to learn more about her project supporting respiratory asthma clinics in Guyana.
Ms. Armstead’s program takes respiratory care students from her institution on a study abroad trip to Guyana with aims to educate Guyanese student populations about asthma and teach them self-management skills. Additionally, she and her students work alongside clinicians at Georgetown Public Hospital to host a mobile asthma clinic that provides asthma screenings and education for Guyanese students, the first of its kind at Texas State University.
This passion for supporting clinics in Guyana stems from a deeply personal place. “Guyana is my country of birth. I left when I was 14. I came back many years later realizing that I can give back to the county that gave me so much.” Ms. Armstead shared.
“The CHEST Foundation grant opened doors for me that had never been opened before. Members of the community were very open to hearing what we had to say and receptive to the changes we suggested they make in their daily lives. The financial portion of the award allowed me to purchase additional spirometers for the asthma clinic, allowing for a whole new level of outpatient testing and outreach in the community.”
In addition to the impact she and her students have in Georgetown, Ms. Armstead says opportunity provided to her students was life-changing for them. “To watch my students communicate with people in a different country really helps build their confidence as future clinicians.” Her study program received a significant growth in attendance over the past few years. “When we first started doing this study abroad in Guyana, I only had 2 students interested… We took 14 respiratory care students to Guyana in 2017. It’s really elevated this study abroad program at my institution.”
The CHEST Foundation’s grants cycle opens in late February. Visit our grants page to view the RFPs for our 2019 offerings and see a step-by-step walkthrough of how simple it is to apply for funding! Be a champion of lung health, and secure your research award today!
Greetings, readers!
One year ago, I wrote in these pages with regard to my two main goals for CHEST Physician for 2018, namely allowing more space in our pages for leaders and members to express their views, and improving interactivity between the staff here and our readership to help us better craft a publication that met your needs.
While I think we’ve met the first goal quite well, with a greater number of educational write-ups from our NetWork leadership and high-quality editorials and commentaries from other CHEST dignitaries, we have not yet heard much from the most important resource we have, our readers. So for the coming year, I would welcome you to drop us a line every now and then. See something in our pages that you like, or with which you disagree? Is there something in the news relevant to pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine that you think we should have covered but did not? Send us an email at [email protected]
I look forward to closer contact with you over the coming year. Let’s make CHEST Physician even better together!
David
One year ago, I wrote in these pages with regard to my two main goals for CHEST Physician for 2018, namely allowing more space in our pages for leaders and members to express their views, and improving interactivity between the staff here and our readership to help us better craft a publication that met your needs.
While I think we’ve met the first goal quite well, with a greater number of educational write-ups from our NetWork leadership and high-quality editorials and commentaries from other CHEST dignitaries, we have not yet heard much from the most important resource we have, our readers. So for the coming year, I would welcome you to drop us a line every now and then. See something in our pages that you like, or with which you disagree? Is there something in the news relevant to pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine that you think we should have covered but did not? Send us an email at [email protected]
I look forward to closer contact with you over the coming year. Let’s make CHEST Physician even better together!
David
One year ago, I wrote in these pages with regard to my two main goals for CHEST Physician for 2018, namely allowing more space in our pages for leaders and members to express their views, and improving interactivity between the staff here and our readership to help us better craft a publication that met your needs.
While I think we’ve met the first goal quite well, with a greater number of educational write-ups from our NetWork leadership and high-quality editorials and commentaries from other CHEST dignitaries, we have not yet heard much from the most important resource we have, our readers. So for the coming year, I would welcome you to drop us a line every now and then. See something in our pages that you like, or with which you disagree? Is there something in the news relevant to pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine that you think we should have covered but did not? Send us an email at [email protected]
I look forward to closer contact with you over the coming year. Let’s make CHEST Physician even better together!
David
Apply for VAM Travel Awards
Applications are due Feb. 27 for travel scholarships to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting. Available is a resident/medical student award and a diversity medical student award. Recipients are eligible to receive complimentary meeting registration plus a travel scholarship. They also get to participate in the Scholarship Program, including the hugely popular simulation training. Students and residents, please apply. And SVS members, urge the students you know to apply, as well.
Applications are due Feb. 27 for travel scholarships to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting. Available is a resident/medical student award and a diversity medical student award. Recipients are eligible to receive complimentary meeting registration plus a travel scholarship. They also get to participate in the Scholarship Program, including the hugely popular simulation training. Students and residents, please apply. And SVS members, urge the students you know to apply, as well.
Applications are due Feb. 27 for travel scholarships to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting. Available is a resident/medical student award and a diversity medical student award. Recipients are eligible to receive complimentary meeting registration plus a travel scholarship. They also get to participate in the Scholarship Program, including the hugely popular simulation training. Students and residents, please apply. And SVS members, urge the students you know to apply, as well.
Newsletters for Our Trainees
The SVS is taking steps to provide more direct resources to our candidate members. To start, we’re sending newsletters that will keep these members, who are vital to our future, up-to-date on topics directly geared towards tomorrow’s vascular surgeons. The biweekly edition offers residents and students current information from the SVS, and the monthly edition addresses issues of importance to vascular trainees. Both newsletters will cover details on upcoming meetings and events — such as the Vascular Annual Meeting and the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference — awards and scholarships, open positions and much more. Subscribe to the newsletters and view past issues here.
The SVS is taking steps to provide more direct resources to our candidate members. To start, we’re sending newsletters that will keep these members, who are vital to our future, up-to-date on topics directly geared towards tomorrow’s vascular surgeons. The biweekly edition offers residents and students current information from the SVS, and the monthly edition addresses issues of importance to vascular trainees. Both newsletters will cover details on upcoming meetings and events — such as the Vascular Annual Meeting and the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference — awards and scholarships, open positions and much more. Subscribe to the newsletters and view past issues here.
The SVS is taking steps to provide more direct resources to our candidate members. To start, we’re sending newsletters that will keep these members, who are vital to our future, up-to-date on topics directly geared towards tomorrow’s vascular surgeons. The biweekly edition offers residents and students current information from the SVS, and the monthly edition addresses issues of importance to vascular trainees. Both newsletters will cover details on upcoming meetings and events — such as the Vascular Annual Meeting and the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference — awards and scholarships, open positions and much more. Subscribe to the newsletters and view past issues here.
A shutdown, a lawsuit, and drug prices
As I write this editorial, regarding maintenance of certification. Being a doctor, these days, is neither easy nor relaxing.
The government shutdown is cheered by some, but it has real consequences for 800,000 government workers who are not getting paid, and our scientific community, where grant applications, hiring, data collection, and other critical roles of government are needed, is at a standstill. The class action suit against ABIM is the latest action of physicians telling the ABIM that enough is enough. Read more and form your opinion from our page one article. The ACA continues to be attacked in a variety of ways. To those who want to abolish it, please have a reasonable alternative in place so that real people with real diseases are not left in a desperate situation.
Drug prices continue to make news. The most recent example is the enormous increase in the cost of insulin. I read a lot about the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry and cannot fathom how such prices are justified. Perhaps we physicians and our medical societies should consider raising our voices for our patients.
In this month’s issue there are several articles about polyp detection and the long-term protective effect of colonoscopy. We are doing really important and excellent work to reduce the burden of colon cancer.
As a heads up, Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) returns to San Diego this year. Housing choices are opening up and in San Diego fill rapidly; visit www.DDW.org/registration for more information. This year’s science is ground-breaking and will continue to advance our knowledge about IBD, the microbiome, and other important topics.
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
Editor in Chief
As I write this editorial, regarding maintenance of certification. Being a doctor, these days, is neither easy nor relaxing.
The government shutdown is cheered by some, but it has real consequences for 800,000 government workers who are not getting paid, and our scientific community, where grant applications, hiring, data collection, and other critical roles of government are needed, is at a standstill. The class action suit against ABIM is the latest action of physicians telling the ABIM that enough is enough. Read more and form your opinion from our page one article. The ACA continues to be attacked in a variety of ways. To those who want to abolish it, please have a reasonable alternative in place so that real people with real diseases are not left in a desperate situation.
Drug prices continue to make news. The most recent example is the enormous increase in the cost of insulin. I read a lot about the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry and cannot fathom how such prices are justified. Perhaps we physicians and our medical societies should consider raising our voices for our patients.
In this month’s issue there are several articles about polyp detection and the long-term protective effect of colonoscopy. We are doing really important and excellent work to reduce the burden of colon cancer.
As a heads up, Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) returns to San Diego this year. Housing choices are opening up and in San Diego fill rapidly; visit www.DDW.org/registration for more information. This year’s science is ground-breaking and will continue to advance our knowledge about IBD, the microbiome, and other important topics.
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
Editor in Chief
As I write this editorial, regarding maintenance of certification. Being a doctor, these days, is neither easy nor relaxing.
The government shutdown is cheered by some, but it has real consequences for 800,000 government workers who are not getting paid, and our scientific community, where grant applications, hiring, data collection, and other critical roles of government are needed, is at a standstill. The class action suit against ABIM is the latest action of physicians telling the ABIM that enough is enough. Read more and form your opinion from our page one article. The ACA continues to be attacked in a variety of ways. To those who want to abolish it, please have a reasonable alternative in place so that real people with real diseases are not left in a desperate situation.
Drug prices continue to make news. The most recent example is the enormous increase in the cost of insulin. I read a lot about the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry and cannot fathom how such prices are justified. Perhaps we physicians and our medical societies should consider raising our voices for our patients.
In this month’s issue there are several articles about polyp detection and the long-term protective effect of colonoscopy. We are doing really important and excellent work to reduce the burden of colon cancer.
As a heads up, Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) returns to San Diego this year. Housing choices are opening up and in San Diego fill rapidly; visit www.DDW.org/registration for more information. This year’s science is ground-breaking and will continue to advance our knowledge about IBD, the microbiome, and other important topics.
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
Editor in Chief
Have you paid your 2019 SVS membership dues yet?
To those members who have not yet paid their 2019 dues -- are you planning to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting? Do you find your Journal of Vascular Surgery publications invaluable? Those are just two of the member benefits that will be lost to those who do not pay their dues soon. Others include use of trademarked professional designations and access to the new online communications forum, SVSConnect. Renew today to continue to receive these and all other SVS member benefits.
To those members who have not yet paid their 2019 dues -- are you planning to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting? Do you find your Journal of Vascular Surgery publications invaluable? Those are just two of the member benefits that will be lost to those who do not pay their dues soon. Others include use of trademarked professional designations and access to the new online communications forum, SVSConnect. Renew today to continue to receive these and all other SVS member benefits.
To those members who have not yet paid their 2019 dues -- are you planning to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting? Do you find your Journal of Vascular Surgery publications invaluable? Those are just two of the member benefits that will be lost to those who do not pay their dues soon. Others include use of trademarked professional designations and access to the new online communications forum, SVSConnect. Renew today to continue to receive these and all other SVS member benefits.
Women’s Leadership Training Grant
Because leadership skills are integral to success but are not typically taught in medical school, the SVS Leadership Development and Diversity Committee offers the Women's Leadership Training Grant to help women sharpen their leadership skills. The $5,000 awards (offered at three levels of a woman's career) defray costs to attend leadership courses and activities. Applications are due March 1.
Because leadership skills are integral to success but are not typically taught in medical school, the SVS Leadership Development and Diversity Committee offers the Women's Leadership Training Grant to help women sharpen their leadership skills. The $5,000 awards (offered at three levels of a woman's career) defray costs to attend leadership courses and activities. Applications are due March 1.
Because leadership skills are integral to success but are not typically taught in medical school, the SVS Leadership Development and Diversity Committee offers the Women's Leadership Training Grant to help women sharpen their leadership skills. The $5,000 awards (offered at three levels of a woman's career) defray costs to attend leadership courses and activities. Applications are due March 1.
Join the Conversation on SVSConnect
Transitioning toward retirement or looking for postgrad training opportunities? Or maybe you need some advice on good “power meals” to have during your busy days? These are only a few of the many threads attracting comments on SVSConnect, your online community. Members can discuss, collaborate, network and even share documents with one another. Log in with your SVS credentials and add your thoughts. If you’re not signed up, do so today.
Transitioning toward retirement or looking for postgrad training opportunities? Or maybe you need some advice on good “power meals” to have during your busy days? These are only a few of the many threads attracting comments on SVSConnect, your online community. Members can discuss, collaborate, network and even share documents with one another. Log in with your SVS credentials and add your thoughts. If you’re not signed up, do so today.
Transitioning toward retirement or looking for postgrad training opportunities? Or maybe you need some advice on good “power meals” to have during your busy days? These are only a few of the many threads attracting comments on SVSConnect, your online community. Members can discuss, collaborate, network and even share documents with one another. Log in with your SVS credentials and add your thoughts. If you’re not signed up, do so today.
Guideline public comment period framework
AGA is dedicated to integrity and transparency in the development of clinical guidance.
W In addition, to keep academic integrity of the AGA guideline, clinical practice update, and clinical pathway process, AGA follows the framework outlined by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) in The Code for Interaction with Companies.
The Code for Interaction with Companies states:
“7.15. Societies will not permit Guideline development panel members or staff to discuss a Guideline’s development with Company employees or representatives, will not accept unpublished data from Companies, and will not permit Companies to review Guidelines in draft form, except if a Society permits public or member comment on draft Guidelines as a part of the Society’s published Guideline development process.”
The Clinical Guidelines Committee and Clinical Practice Updates Committee strive to keep AGA’s clinical practice tools independent of industry influence and remain solely based on scientific evidence. As a result of this effort, AGA’s writing panels and chairs will have no direct communication with industry. Companies will have the opportunity to submit feedback during the public comment period. The panel will review any comments submitted through the online platform along with feedback from the public. The writing panel will take these suggestions into consideration when making revisions following the public comment period.
AGA is dedicated to integrity and transparency in the development of clinical guidance.
W In addition, to keep academic integrity of the AGA guideline, clinical practice update, and clinical pathway process, AGA follows the framework outlined by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) in The Code for Interaction with Companies.
The Code for Interaction with Companies states:
“7.15. Societies will not permit Guideline development panel members or staff to discuss a Guideline’s development with Company employees or representatives, will not accept unpublished data from Companies, and will not permit Companies to review Guidelines in draft form, except if a Society permits public or member comment on draft Guidelines as a part of the Society’s published Guideline development process.”
The Clinical Guidelines Committee and Clinical Practice Updates Committee strive to keep AGA’s clinical practice tools independent of industry influence and remain solely based on scientific evidence. As a result of this effort, AGA’s writing panels and chairs will have no direct communication with industry. Companies will have the opportunity to submit feedback during the public comment period. The panel will review any comments submitted through the online platform along with feedback from the public. The writing panel will take these suggestions into consideration when making revisions following the public comment period.
AGA is dedicated to integrity and transparency in the development of clinical guidance.
W In addition, to keep academic integrity of the AGA guideline, clinical practice update, and clinical pathway process, AGA follows the framework outlined by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) in The Code for Interaction with Companies.
The Code for Interaction with Companies states:
“7.15. Societies will not permit Guideline development panel members or staff to discuss a Guideline’s development with Company employees or representatives, will not accept unpublished data from Companies, and will not permit Companies to review Guidelines in draft form, except if a Society permits public or member comment on draft Guidelines as a part of the Society’s published Guideline development process.”
The Clinical Guidelines Committee and Clinical Practice Updates Committee strive to keep AGA’s clinical practice tools independent of industry influence and remain solely based on scientific evidence. As a result of this effort, AGA’s writing panels and chairs will have no direct communication with industry. Companies will have the opportunity to submit feedback during the public comment period. The panel will review any comments submitted through the online platform along with feedback from the public. The writing panel will take these suggestions into consideration when making revisions following the public comment period.
2018 AGA legislative wins
To those who took time to advocate on behalf of your profession and patients, thank you. Because of your efforts, we achieved several key successes that benefit clinicians, researchers and patients.
Together we were able to help advance several AGA policy priorities — administrative burden relief, digestive disease research and funding, and patient access and protection — as well as the science and practice of gastroenterology.
This year, we will be counting on you, our members, to again lead the charge to achieve AGA’s mission — empowering clinicians and researchers to improve digestive health — by calling on legislators and regulators to ensure the voice of gastroenterology continue to be heard.
NIH funding increase
AGA advocated and secured a $2 billion increase in NIH funding for fiscal year (FY) 2019. When added to increases from the two previous fiscal years, NIH’s funding has increased by 30 percent over the past three years, which is the largest increase since the doubling period in the last decade.
IPAB repeal prevents automatic Medicare cuts
Congress repealed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). AGA and all of organized medicine long opposed IPAB since its sole purpose was to make budgetary cuts to Medicare if it reached a certain threshold of spending.
MIPS changes means more flexibility for physicians
AGA and the physician community were successful in securing flexibility under the new Medicare Quality Payment Program and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) that were created under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The changes give CMS more flexibility in implementing the program and will ensure that physicians have an opportunity to be successful in MIPS.
500 AGA members prevent radical changes to outpatient documentation
In response to a CMS proposal to radically change how outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services are documented, more than 500 AGA members urged CMS not to move forward with its plan. As a result, CMS withdrew or delayed many of the proposed changes to E/M services that negatively impacted reimbursement. CMS did move forward with several changes to E/M documentation in an effort to reduce administrative burden.
AGA members send more than 940 letters to Congress
AGA launched the Congressional Advocates Program to provide an infrastructure and tools for members to effectively advocate on behalf of their profession and patients. AGA members heeded our calls to action and sent more than 940 letters sent to Congress and federal agencies throughout 2018. We thank our advocates whose participation makes a difference.
To those who took time to advocate on behalf of your profession and patients, thank you. Because of your efforts, we achieved several key successes that benefit clinicians, researchers and patients.
Together we were able to help advance several AGA policy priorities — administrative burden relief, digestive disease research and funding, and patient access and protection — as well as the science and practice of gastroenterology.
This year, we will be counting on you, our members, to again lead the charge to achieve AGA’s mission — empowering clinicians and researchers to improve digestive health — by calling on legislators and regulators to ensure the voice of gastroenterology continue to be heard.
NIH funding increase
AGA advocated and secured a $2 billion increase in NIH funding for fiscal year (FY) 2019. When added to increases from the two previous fiscal years, NIH’s funding has increased by 30 percent over the past three years, which is the largest increase since the doubling period in the last decade.
IPAB repeal prevents automatic Medicare cuts
Congress repealed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). AGA and all of organized medicine long opposed IPAB since its sole purpose was to make budgetary cuts to Medicare if it reached a certain threshold of spending.
MIPS changes means more flexibility for physicians
AGA and the physician community were successful in securing flexibility under the new Medicare Quality Payment Program and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) that were created under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The changes give CMS more flexibility in implementing the program and will ensure that physicians have an opportunity to be successful in MIPS.
500 AGA members prevent radical changes to outpatient documentation
In response to a CMS proposal to radically change how outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services are documented, more than 500 AGA members urged CMS not to move forward with its plan. As a result, CMS withdrew or delayed many of the proposed changes to E/M services that negatively impacted reimbursement. CMS did move forward with several changes to E/M documentation in an effort to reduce administrative burden.
AGA members send more than 940 letters to Congress
AGA launched the Congressional Advocates Program to provide an infrastructure and tools for members to effectively advocate on behalf of their profession and patients. AGA members heeded our calls to action and sent more than 940 letters sent to Congress and federal agencies throughout 2018. We thank our advocates whose participation makes a difference.
To those who took time to advocate on behalf of your profession and patients, thank you. Because of your efforts, we achieved several key successes that benefit clinicians, researchers and patients.
Together we were able to help advance several AGA policy priorities — administrative burden relief, digestive disease research and funding, and patient access and protection — as well as the science and practice of gastroenterology.
This year, we will be counting on you, our members, to again lead the charge to achieve AGA’s mission — empowering clinicians and researchers to improve digestive health — by calling on legislators and regulators to ensure the voice of gastroenterology continue to be heard.
NIH funding increase
AGA advocated and secured a $2 billion increase in NIH funding for fiscal year (FY) 2019. When added to increases from the two previous fiscal years, NIH’s funding has increased by 30 percent over the past three years, which is the largest increase since the doubling period in the last decade.
IPAB repeal prevents automatic Medicare cuts
Congress repealed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). AGA and all of organized medicine long opposed IPAB since its sole purpose was to make budgetary cuts to Medicare if it reached a certain threshold of spending.
MIPS changes means more flexibility for physicians
AGA and the physician community were successful in securing flexibility under the new Medicare Quality Payment Program and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) that were created under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The changes give CMS more flexibility in implementing the program and will ensure that physicians have an opportunity to be successful in MIPS.
500 AGA members prevent radical changes to outpatient documentation
In response to a CMS proposal to radically change how outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services are documented, more than 500 AGA members urged CMS not to move forward with its plan. As a result, CMS withdrew or delayed many of the proposed changes to E/M services that negatively impacted reimbursement. CMS did move forward with several changes to E/M documentation in an effort to reduce administrative burden.
AGA members send more than 940 letters to Congress
AGA launched the Congressional Advocates Program to provide an infrastructure and tools for members to effectively advocate on behalf of their profession and patients. AGA members heeded our calls to action and sent more than 940 letters sent to Congress and federal agencies throughout 2018. We thank our advocates whose participation makes a difference.