Society Advocates for Endocrinologists in Health Reform Debate

To have a voice in the health reform debate and represent the interests of endocrinologists, The Endocrine Society has developed a set of “guiding principles.”  These principles, which were developed by the Society’s Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee and the Clinical Affairs Core Committee, outline the components that the Society recommends for inclusion in any federal health reform proposal.  The principles address Medicare physician payment, the importance of preventive care, treatment of diabetes and obesity, and increasing the physician workforce, among other topics.  The Endocrine Society has used these principles to frame its discussions with policymakers in Congress and the Administration.

The Society’s guiding principles formed the basis for comments on the House Tri-Committee health reform package, the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.”  In response to the draft legislation, The Endocrine Society provided comments on provisions in the bill that would impact endocrinologists, such as providing for a greater rate of growth for evaluation & management services under a new sustainable growth rate formula and providing a bonus to physicians that participate in both the public plan and Medicare.  Analysis of the bill shows that there are a number of provisions that may actually benefit the specialty.   Society staff continues to monitor the progress of the House and Senate negotiations on health reform, and will update the membership through future issues of Endocrine Insider.