English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
Esperanto
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
UrduToday, leaders from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) will meet with their congressional delegations and call for their support of an $8 million increase for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Organ Transplantation Program in FY 25 This funding, totaling $67 million, will be used to continue Congress’ commitment to people seeking a transplant and will implement reforms to modernize the transplant system and make transplant care more accessible.
Category: Policy
International Consensus Statement Published in Nature Reviews Nephrology Calls for Urgent Action to Address Chronic Kidney Disease on the Global Public Health Agenda
Nature Reviews Nephrology published a landmark international consensus statement titled “Chronic Kidney Disease and the Global Public Health Agenda: An International Consensus.” Authored by a coalition of leading experts, stakeholders, and nephrology societies, the publication highlights critical policy, advocacy, and implementation needs to alleviate the growing burden of kidney disease worldwide.
Introduction of Legislation to Expand Access to Breast Cancer Treatment for Missourians
Susan G. Komen®, commends Representative Chantelle Nickson-Clark (D-Florissant) for working with Komen to expand eligibility for the MO HealthNet Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment (BCCT) program, providing increased access to vital breast and cervical cancer treatment services.
Italians Abroad Can Easily Resume Healthcare Coverage When Returning to Italy
Italians residing abroad and registered with the EU health card service are guaranteed the maintenance of medical assistance and health exemptions when they return to Italy.
American Society of Nephrology Celebrates Transformational Transplant Funding
Delivering on its commitment to increase Americans’ access to kidney transplant by improving the transparency and efficiency of our nation’s transplant network, Congress this week approved a much-needed $23 million federal funding increase in fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the agency responsible for overseeing the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).
US House Foreign Affairs Committee Advances Bipartisan Bill for Global Conservation
“USFICA would create a public-private partnership to save wildlife and wild places around the world. What that means is government funds would leverage private support, making public dollars go much farther. And those monies would go directly to protected areas and parks around the world.” John Calvelli, WCS Executive VP for Public Affairs
Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) Submits Testimony to Congress Opposing FDA’s Proposed LDTs Rule
“Today, we at the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, formerly AACC) provided testimony to Congress regarding the impact of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) proposed rule to impose FDA oversight on laboratory developed tests in addition to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversight. While we share FDA’s goal of ensuring that laboratory developed tests are safe and effective, we have serious concerns about the agency’s proposal. If finalized, this rule would create a burdensome dual regulatory structure that would limit patient access to many life-saving tests.
Susan G. Komen® Urges U.S. House, Senate to Pass Critical Breast Health Legislation After House Committee Vote
Susan G. Komen is urging the U.S. House and Senate to bring the SCREENS for Cancer Act to a floor vote as soon as possible so breast health services are available to those who need them now.
University of Maryland, Baltimore Researchers Call for Regulation of Direct-to-Consumer Microbiome Tests
Burgeoning interest in the microbiome has led to a growing demand for direct-to-consumer (DTC) microbiome testing services.
AANA Advocates for Excellence During Patient Safety Awareness Week
During Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 10-16, 2024, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) proudly joins the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in raising awareness and promote initiatives that make healthcare safer for patients and the healthcare workforce.
Endocrine Society celebrates extension of Special Diabetes Program
The Endocrine Society applauds Congress for approving the first funding increase for the Special Diabetes Program in two decades.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization patients and providers from legal liability with some clinics poised to lift a hold on certain IVF services as early as this week.
Sonia Suter is a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and founding director of the Health Law Initiative. She is an expert on issues at the intersection of law, medicine, and bioethics, with a particular focus…
American Society of Anesthesiologists Extremely Frustrated with Another Year of Medicare Payment Cuts
Today the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) expressed disappointment with the congressional “doc fix” provisions included in the recently passed government funding package. Instead of blocking the fourth straight year of Medicare payment cuts to physicians, the provisions only reduce the size of the 2024 payment cut by about half, leaving physician practices with unsustainable payment cuts.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY APPLAUDS THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE FOR ADVANCING THE KIDNEY PATIENT ACT (HR 5074)
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) commends congressional leaders on the House Ways and Means committee for advancing the Kidney PATIENT Act, bipartisan legislation to maintain patient access to oral-only medications by retaining coverage through Medicare Part D.
More than 500,000 patients undergoing dialysis require numerous medications to manage their health, and, for many patients this includes certain oral-only medications, such as phosphate binders. These vital oral-only medications are best dispensed by pharmacies, who have dedicated infrastructure suited to promoting at-home medication adherence and are more accessible to patients.
Family Advocates Urge Congress’ Support During Inaugural Angelman Syndrome (AS) Congressional Advocacy Day
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) and the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) are hosting the inaugural Angelman Syndrome (AS) Congressional Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY COMMENDS CONGRESS FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE HONOR OUR LIVING DONORS ACT (H.R. 6020)
At a hearing today focused on supporting patients with rare diseases, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will consider Honor Our Living Donors Act (H.R. 6020), legislation to improve support for living organ donors.
Endocrine Society supports federal legislation protecting IVF access
The Endocrine Society is calling for members of Congress to support federal legislation protecting access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
AANA Applauds Addition of CRNAs To SAMHSA Practitioner List
In a recent final regulation issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CRNAs, also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, have been permanently added to the definition of a practitioner who is appropriately licensed by a state to prescribe and dispense medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
New Clinical Practice Guideline Provides Evidence-based Recommendations for Immunotherapy for Inhalant Allergy
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Immunotherapy for Inhalant Allergy today in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
CMS COP14, An Historic Opportunity to Protect the Guanaco Migrations
This iconic herbivore of the arid grasslands and the Andes Mountains in the Southern Cone, depends on vast and connected habitats to feed, reproduce, and rest.
AACN Applauds the Reintroduction of the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act in Congress
AACN applauds the introduction of the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (H.R.7266/S.3770) by our Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair, and nurse Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14). This legislation calls for historic investments to address immediate nursing education needs, while providing proactive measures to meet future workforce demands.
American Cancer Society Updates Lung Cancer Screening Guideline: Nearly Five Million U.S. Adults who Smoke and Formerly Smoked Now Recommended for Testing
The American Cancer Society releasesan update of its lung cancer screening guideline to help reduce the number of people dying from the disease due to smoking history.
Cancer drug shows promise targeting genetic weakness in some tumors, comments Virginia Tech expert
In an invited commentary, Kathleen Mulvaney, assistant professor with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, talks about the potential of a new drug that has shown early promise in clinical trials for solid tumors by killing cancer cells that lack specific tumor suppressor genes.
New ACP position paper addresses the ethical concepts related to health as a human right
The American College of Physicians (ACP) today issued a new position paper addressing health as a human right and examining the intersection of human rights, ethical obligations, and health reform in recognizing health as a human right. The position paper is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Institute for International Crop Improvement: Early Promise, Long Journey Ahead
The challenges facing global food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers over the last year may at first appear insurmountable, yet IICI’s vital work continues to advance impactful agricultural innovations where they are needed most.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY APPALUDS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HONOR OUR LIVING DONORS (HOLD) ACT, H.R. 6020
The American Society of Nephrology, representing 21,000 nephrologists, scientists and other kidney care professionals, today voiced its support for the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act (H.R. 6020), new legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) and Suzanne DelBene (D-WA-1) to qualify federal support for living organ donors based on donor income as opposed to current requirements that base support on the organ recipient’s income.
AANA Updates, Publishes Analgesia and Anesthesia Practice Considerations for The Substance Use Disorder Patient
To help ensure that patients with active substance use disorder, on medication-assisted treatment, or in abstinent recovery continue to receive high-quality, safe pain management and anesthesia care, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has published its updated analgesia and anesthesia practice considerations.
ACP says ‘Enough is enough,’ vows to continue to fight for lower drug prices for patients
ACP leaders have strong words for pharmaceutical and other health care companies that are challenging the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug price negotiation program. So far, these businesses have spent approximately $400 million challenging the program in U.S. courts. ACP, along with other medical societies, is pushing back.
AACI Statement on NIH Director Confirmation
The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) joins nonprofit health advocacy organizations nationwide in calling for the swift confirmation of Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Bristol unites international gambling harms experts and people suffering from gambling addiction to highlight urgent need for reform
With the explosion of online platforms and advertising, the scourge of gambling is a growing problem affecting people of all ages.
Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) Statement on Proposed FDA Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests
We at the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine were disappointed to see the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) attempt to circumvent Congress with its new proposed rule to duplicate the regulation of laboratory developed tests by placing these tests under FDA authority, in addition to their current regulation under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Cleaning Product Ingredient Transparency Gets a Hearing on Capitol Hill
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce is discussing a legislative proposal that would establish – for the first time – a federal standard for ingredient communication in cleaning products.
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Urges VA to Issue Evidence-Based National Practice Standards
Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) urged the Veterans Health Administration (VA) to develop National Standards of Practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) that are grounded in evidence-based education and training standards, not politics, during a listening session on September 21.
Leave No One Behind: The Forum of International Respiratory Societies Calls for Equitable Access to Prevention and Treatment on World Lung Day 2023
This World Lung Day, Sept. 25, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and its founding member the American Thoracic Society, is calling on governments and health care providers worldwide to give equitable access to preventative services and treatments for respiratory conditions, and lifesaving pneumonia vaccines for children.
America’s Veterans Deserve High Quality Anesthesia Care
During Congressional testimony today, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) urged the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system to provide the same anesthesia care and services to our veterans as is in place in healthcare systems in 49 states. AANA President-Elect Jan Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, in testimony before the House VA Committee Subcommittee on Health, defended Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ (CRNAs’) ability to deliver high-quality anesthesia care to all populations, including the complex needs of our nation’s veterans, as a result of their specialized and detailed anesthesia training.
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Urges Congress to Block VA Nurses’ Efforts to Remove Anesthesiologists from Veterans’ Care
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) testified today before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health and urged Congress to block a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Nursing Services’ proposal to remove physician anesthesiologists from the surgical care of Veterans. The nurses’ proposal would lower the standard of care for Veterans by dismantling the team-based model of anesthesia care and move VA to a rarely used nurse-only model.
Ahead of UN General Assembly, pharmaceutical industry underscores need for pandemic preparedness plans to support innovation and equity
Ahead of discussions at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), the trade association representing the innovative pharmaceutical industry, the IFPMA, has warned that current pandemic preparedness plans should not undermine what worked well in response to COVID-19 and must support both “innovation and equity.”
Anesthesiologist, Emergency Physician and Radiologist Groups Laud Court Decision, Urge HHS Action to Unfreeze Arbitration Process
In its fourth ruling regarding the flawed implementation of the No Surprises Act, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas agreed with the plaintiffs, the Texas Medical Association, that the government was incorrectly permitting insurers to use a faulty methodology when calculating their median in-network rate, also known as the qualifying payment amount (QPA). This TMA III ruling does not impact the patient protections included in the No Surprises Act that the American College of Radiology® (ACR®), (ACR), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) advocated for and continue to fully support, nor does it raise patient out-of-pocket costs.
Lung Disease Physicians and Researchers Disappointed by Environmental Protection Agency’s Slow-Motion Action to Curb Smog Ozone Air Pollution
In response to the Aug 21 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the agency will delay action on lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone pollution, American Thoracic Society President M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, issued the following statement
Scenarios for proactive measures and inclusive policies on migration in Europe
Migration is a complex and unpredictable phenomenon, often triggered by political crises, economic downturns, and natural or human-made disasters. A new policy brief and a White Paper authored by IIASA researchers and UK colleagues provides valuable insights and recommendations to support policymaking and increase understanding around the realistic implications of high-migration events.
Medical associations commend Texas federal court Surprise Billing ruling—a win for patients and physicians
The American College of Radiology® (ACR®), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) applaud the Aug. 3 U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas’ ruling that the government’s exorbitant 600% fee increase to access the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process and its overly-restrictive “batching” limitations violate federal law. The ruling does not impact the patient protections included in the No Surprises Act, which ACR, ACEP and ASA advocated for and continue to support, nor does it raise patient out-of-pocket costs.
ASBMB calls for student loan relief
In public hearing testimony to the Department of Education, ASBMB calls for student loan relief programs and expresses concern about how student loans disadvantage the scientific workforce.
Georgia’s Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Get Relief from Abusive Prior Authorization Policy
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology applaud Humana for rolling back its prior authorization requirement for cataract surgery for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Georgia.
American College of Surgeons Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to STOP THE BLEED® Kits
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) strongly supports bipartisan legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate that would expand access to STOP THE BLEED® kits for states, tribal territories, and local governments.
American Society of Nephrology Applauds Senate Passage of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Act (S. 1668)
The United States Senate unanimously passed the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN) Act (S. 1668), following House passage earlier this week, marking a new era for the United States transplant system.
Susan G. Komen® Commends Introduction of Legislation to Remove Financial Barriers to Diagnostic Imaging
Susan G. Komen commends commends the introduction of the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act of 2023 in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The legislation would remove a significant financial barrier to people receiving medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.
Nineteen Surgical Organizations Strongly Oppose CMS’ Plan to Implement the G2211 Code
The American College of Surgeons (ACS), with 18 other surgical organizations, has expressed strong opposition to the implementation of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) code G2211.
Experts call for urgent mental health support for people living with long term autoimmune diseases
Study finds ‘startling’ levels of hidden mental health symptoms among autoimmune disease patients.
Calling for Cancer Centers to Lead on Climate Disaster Preparedness
Cancer centers are uniquely positioned to protect cancer patients from climate-driven disasters, but researchers identified significant shortcomings in emergency preparedness when it came to climate-related disasters.
House appropriations bill would slash life-saving medical research, disease prevention and treatment
The Endocrine Society opposes severe funding cuts proposed in the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) funding bill that would put life-saving endocrine research, disease prevention, and treatment at risk.