American Society of Nephrology and American Association of Kidney Patients Call on Congress to Increase Funding for Kidney Innovation and Veterans with Kidney Diseases

The prevalence of kidney diseases in the United States is at a record high. Today, more than 50 advocates from ASN and AAKP, representing people with kidney diseases and the health care professionals who serve them, will meet with their members of Congress and call for a $25 million investment in kidney innovation at KidneyX and support of veteran active duty service members living with or at risk of kidney diseases through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) Kidney Health Program and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).

New Braintrust Seeks to Launch Era of North American Regional Competitiveness

Given the U.S.-China trade conflict and concerns over trade disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, regionalizing supply chains is at the center of the discussion in North America. Now, a new working group spearheaded by the University of California San Diego is using this opportunity to propose policy recommendations for the relocation of global production chains in North America where it’s economically advantageous.

American Society of Nephrology Statement on Health Resources and Services Administration Initiative to Modernize Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) welcomes the significant changes to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)—a sweeping “OPTN Modernization Initiative”—announced today by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson.

American Society of Nephrology Statement on the United Network for Organ Sharing Clarifying Promise to Living Donors

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is grateful that the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has responded to urgent requests from living donors, patients, their families, and ASN, to commit to honoring promises to living donors in its forthcoming new kidney allocation system.

Introduction of Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Legislation Could Benefit Thousands of Kentuckians

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Representative Lisa Willner (D-Louisville) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. In 2023, more than 4,030 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 790 will die of the disease in Kentucky alone.

Introduction of Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Legislation Could Benefit Thousands of Oregonians

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. In 2023, more than 4,220 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 570 will die of the disease in Oregon alone.

Introduction of Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Legislation Could Benefit Thousands of Montanans

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Representative Jodee Etchart (R-Billings) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. In 2023, more than 1,030 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 150 will die of the disease in Montana alone.

American Society of Anesthesiologists Express Strong Support for Over-the-Counter Naloxone Use

In a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) expressed its strong support of naloxone nasal spray products for non-prescription use. Naloxone, a safe life-saving medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose and significantly reduces the incidence of opioid overdose deaths, should be available to all patients across the United States as a nonprescription treatment, according to the ASA.

Medical Societies Call Texas Federal Court Surprise Billing Case Ruling A Victory for Patients and Providers

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American College of Radiology (ACR), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) are pleased that a Texas federal court ruled Feb. 6 in favor of the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA) second legal challenge to the improper implementation of the No Surprises Act (NSA).

During National Children’s Dental Health Month, AANA Emphasizes Access to Safe Dental Anesthesia Care

Rosemont, Ill. (AANA) – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reminds parents of the importance of not only knowing how to keep your child’s teeth healthy, but also ensuring that they have access to safe dental anesthesia care. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others.

Introduction of Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Legislation Would Benefit Thousands of Floridians

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Senator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) and Representative Marie Woodson (D-Hollywood) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. In 2023, more than 22,670 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 3,170 will die of the disease in Florida alone.

Introduction of Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Legislation Would Benefit Thousands of Marylanders

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Senator Pamela Beidle (D-Anne Arundel) and Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-Dorchester) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. In 2023, more than 5,760 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 850 will die of the disease in Maryland alone.

Major Medical Societies Support Texas Medical Association Challenge to Flawed Qualifying Payment Amount

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) support a new Texas Medical Association (TMA) suit filed January 17, 2023, stating that key aspects of the federal government’s Surprise Billing interim final rule (IFR) are badly flawed, imposing serious financial pressures on all physicians and resulting in small, independent physician groups, in particular, needing to consolidate or close their practices; thereby causing patients to lose access to care, particularly in underserved areas.

Legislation Introduced In Oklahoma Would Increase Access to Treatments for Metastatic Cancer Patients

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, applauds Representative Nicole Miller (R-Edmond) for working with Komen to introduce legislation that would prohibit step therapy requirements for metastatic cancer patients. Komen believes patients and their physicians should be able to make treatment decisions based on the particular needs of each patient without the burden of harmful insurer policies.

UChicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine calls for discussion on ratings system as it withdraws from U.S. News rankings

The Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago announced that it will not participate in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Medical Schools” ranking next year due to concerns about the publication’s methodology and the impact the ratings system has on ensuring equity in medical education.

Surge of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in China and USA Further Emphasizes Need for Surveillance, Preparedness, and International Collaborations

Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD, President of the Global Virus Network (GVN), Associate Vice President for International Partnerships and Innovation at the University of South Florida and Professor of the Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the GVN Southeast U.S. Regional Headquarters today issued a statement on the surge of SARS-CoV-2.

Anesthesiologists Oppose 700% Increase in Fee to Access No Surprises Act Independent Dispute Resolution Process and Call for IDR Reforms

Today, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) expressed its outrage with the 700% surge in the No Surprises Act (NSA) administrative fee that must be paid by anesthesiologists to access the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) system. ASA urges the government to block implementation of the massive fee increase and reform the IDR process.

Association for Molecular Pathology Commends Congress on Decision to Not Include VALID Act in Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) applauds Congress for reaching an agreement on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and recognizing that it was not the appropriate mechanism for advancing the Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development (VALID) Act. The VALID Act proposed dramatic oversight modifications that would have been disruptive to clinical testing laboratories and harmful to patients throughout the U.S.

American College of Rheumatology: Proposed Rule Will Bring Great Transparency to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization

The American College of Rheumatology said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Proposed Rule will bring greater transparency, reduce administrative burden, & make turnaround on prior authorization more predictable for payers.

Critical Care Medicine Organizations Urge House Leadership to Stop Medicare Payment Cuts

Today, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (SOCCA), and Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) sent a formal communication to Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and House Minority leaders Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell, strongly urging them to take immediate action to stop pending Medicare physician payment cuts.

Role of CRNAs in Pain Management Included in Final CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) applauds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for providing more flexibility and clarity in their updated Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids. The final guidelines include acknowledgment of the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) as pain care providers, how pain care is administered, and the consideration for nonopioid therapies for subacute and chronic pain.

CONSUMER PROTECTION UPHELD AS U.S. SUPREME COURT REJECTS FLORIDA LICENSURE CASE

The U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming schedule of cases, announced December 5, did not include the case of Heather Kokesch Del Castillo v. Secretary, Florida Department of Health. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics called the decision a victory for consumers who will be protected from harm by health care services provided by unqualified and unlicensed practitioners.

Internal medicine physicians call for improved access and quality in health care for incarcerated patients

Adequately funded policies and procedures are needed to reduce health care disparities in access to, and quality of, health care for the U.S. jail and prison population says the American College of Physicians (ACP). Health Care During Incarceration: A Policy Position Paper of the American College of Physicians details recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals incarcerated in adult correctional facilities. The paper is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

AAOS to Congress: Protect Healthcare Services Before Years End

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is urging Congress to mitigate impending Medicare physician pay cuts and reform flawed prior authorization processes in year-end legislation.

Final 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Rule Negatively Impacts Anesthesia Groups, Harms Patient Access to Surgical Care

The American Society of Anesthesiologists calls on Congress to block a nearly 4.5% Medicare payment cut to anesthesiologists and other physicians included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule released yesterday.