- Star Grassroots Advocates
- In July, Davin Cole, DHSc, PA-C, AAHIVS, spoke on behalf of PAEA at a congressional briefing on the value of the National Health Service Corps in underserved communities. Without congressional action, mandatory funding for the National Health Service Corps is set to expire at the end of September. Thank you for your advocacy, Davin!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- In a significant advocacy victory, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year 2020 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule in July, including a proposal to allow all preceptors to verify all student-provided E/M documentation. Beginning in mid-August, advocates will have the opportunity to submit comments in support of this proposal. If finalized in November, the policy change will take place on January 1, 2020.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance H.R. 2781 - the EMPOWER for Health Act - to the full House in mid-July. This bill would reauthorize key Title VII health workforce programs such as Primary Care Training and Enhancement grants and Area Health Education Centers at a 5-7% increase over their currently-funded level. PAEA has submitted supportive comments to the offices of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and commended them on their efforts.
- Health Care News in Washington
- In late July, the Trump administration reached an agreement with congressional Democratic leadership to raise discretionary spending caps for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. In the absence of this agreement, a $55 billion across-the-board spending cut for key health care programs would have taken effect for FY 2020.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance a wide-ranging slate of health care legislation in late July - including measures designed to address surprise medical billing, reauthorize programs to support those living with autism, and support newborn screening efforts.
- Opportunities for Action
- In the coming weeks, PAEA’s Government Relations team will be disseminating resources to advocates to make their voices heard to CMS in support of its proposal to allow all preceptors to verify all student-provided E/M documentation. The deadline to submit comments is September 27, and we urge all advocates to do so.
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