Advocating for you — Highlighting the specialty in the nation’s capital
The messages you delivered to members of Congress in 200+ virtual meetings did not go unnoticed, and had a direct impact on legislation that affects you and your patients.
Every year, dermatologists and patient advocates come to Washington, D.C., to advocate on the specialty’s priorities. During the second annual AADA Virtual Legislative Conference, held last September, more than 150 of you urged Congress to:
Stop scheduled Medicare payment cuts of up to 10% from taking effect in 2022.
Implement step therapy reforms that will improve patient access to treatments and keep you as the ultimate decisionmaker in patient care.
The messages you delivered to members of Congress in 200+ virtual meetings did not go unnoticed, and had a direct impact on legislation that affects you and your patients:
Medicare payment cuts: Rep. Ami Bera, MD, and Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, led a letter to congressional leadership, urging action to prevent Medicare payment cuts. Of the 247 members of Congress who signed the letter, 57 signed on after a meeting with Legislative Conference attendees. As a result of your advocacy, in December 2021, Congress passed legislation addressing some of the steep Medicare physician payment cuts and President Biden signed it into law.
Step therapy reform: 10 new cosponsors (one senator, 9 representatives) were added to the Safe Step Act (HR 2163/S 464) that would implement step therapy reforms to improve patient access to care.
The AADA’s Legislative Conference is one way for you to make a direct impact on important issues affecting you and your patients. Your collective voice can help move the needle at local, state, and federal levels. Bookmark the Legislative Conference page for updates on the 2022 event.
