ACP Members Took ACP Priorities to Their Members of Congress
Leadership Day 2023 attendees are briefed on ACP issues
Leadership Day 2023 participants #IMProud
ACP leaders discusses advocacy best practices
Dr. Jason M. Goldman presents Rep. Kathy Castor (D- FL-14th) with the Joseph F. Boyle Award
Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN-8th) speak to participants at the ACP PAC reception
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL 7th speaks) at the ACP PAC Reception
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-02) speaks to Leadership Day 2023 attendees
Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA-8th) speaks to Leadership Day 2023 attendees
U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50th) meet with California ACP members
ACP North Carolina chapter members meet with Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-3rd)
ACP North Carolina chapter members meet with Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-3rd)
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14th ) meets with ACP California members
Dr. Rehman, 2023 Richard Neubauer Awardee, and Dr. Radhakrishnan, ACP BoG Chair
Rep. Andy Harris, MD (R-MD- 1st) with members of the Maryland chapter delegation
After three years of COVID-19 safety protocols and security restrictions, Congress is open to the public. Nearly 400 ACP members, representing 48 states and the District of Columbia, participated in ACP’s annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill, Leadership Day, held on May 23- 24 in Washington, DC. Attendees heard from Representatives, Kim Schrier (D-WA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and congressional staff; received advocacy tips; and were briefed on ACP priority issues. Afterwards, they went to Capitol Hill to meet with their members of Congress and advocate for ACP’s legislative priorities.
Save the Date for Leadership Day 2024 | May 14-15!
Contact Shuan Tomlinson for more information
Leadership Day 2023 participants asked their members of Congress to:
1. Reduce Administrative Burden:
- Co-sponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act of 2023, a bipartisan bill that would require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that patients can safely and efficiently access treatment.
2. Expand Physician Workforce:
- Co-sponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act which would allow borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on their student loans while in a medical or dental internship or residency program.
- Co-sponsor and pass H.R. 2389/S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 which would gradually raise the number of Medicare-supported GME positions by 2,000 per year for seven years.
3. Improve Patient Access and Promote Health Equity:
- Cosponsor and pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payment.
- Cosponsor and pass H.R. 952, the Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act, which aligns Medicaid reimbursement rates with Medicare payments for primary care services.
Through a combination of advocacy at Leadership Day, online grassroots messages to lawmakers, direct lobbying by ACP, as well as the work of others, we have seen an increase in cosponsorship and support for these bills since Leadership Day. If you were unable to participate in this year’s Leadership Day, we hope you will join us next year on May 14-15 for Leadership Day 2024! If you have questions about this event, please contact Shuan Tomlinson at stomlinson@acponline.org or call 800-338-2746, ext. 4547.
