To keep you apprised of the many happenings within AAHPM, the staff has put together this synopsis of news from the week of July 30, 2018:
- Remember to vote for a town hall topic for the 2019 Annual Assembly in Orlando — vote and tell us what topic you would like presented.
- AAHPM joined the Patient Quality of Life Coalition Virtual Lobby Day on August 1 to urge the U.S. Senate to follow the House’s lead and act on S. 693, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). It’s not too late to use AAHPM’s Legislative Action Center to e-mail and tweet your senators to ask for their support
- Thank you to all 414 AAHPM members who responded to the recent membership survey on governance issues. We appreciate your feedback. Survey results will be shared with the Academy’s Board members as they consider these important issues.
- The Executive Committee met on August 3 and approved the following: a new policy and guidelines for advertising in AAHPM publications; funding for a new staff position to support quality initiatives and research; and funding for efforts associated with 2019 strategic planning. The Committee also received informational briefings on progress of emerging issues.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted its final rule updating hospice payment rates and quality reporting for FY 2019. (Review a CMS Fact Sheet.) AAHPM had submitted comments on the proposed rule with guidance from the Academy’s Public Policy Committee, Quality Committee, and Hospice Medical Director Council leaders.
- ABIM informed AAHPM staff that all ABIM diplomates were recently sent a Quarterly News that provided updates, including links to MOC requirements, MOC program updates, the ASCO/ABIM co-created assessment pathway, and announcement of new board and committee members, with a link to how to get involved. Make sure you read about these important issues.