Congress Proposes Opioid Legislation, AAOS Addresses TKA Issues, and More

In late February, eight senators introduced bipartisan legislation to address the ongoing opioid addiction epidemic. Known as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0, this piece of legislation increases funding authorization levels for the CARA programs enacted in 2016 and puts in place additional policy reforms to help combat the opioid epidemic.

“CARA became law on July 22, 2016 [and is] starting to make a difference by transforming the way the federal government treats addiction and ensuring that federal resources are devoted to evidence based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that work,” stated Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). “CARA 2.0 builds on the original CARA by increasing the funding authorization levels to better coincide with the recent budget agreement. Coupled with policy changes to strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis, CARA 2.0 authorizes $1 billion in dedicated resources to evidence-based prevention, enforcement, treatment, and recovery programs. CARA 2.0 is part of the necessary response to the urgent call for adequate and sustained resources that appropriately reflect the magnitude of the crisis.”

Until recently, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was included on the Medicare inpatient-only (IPO) list. In light of the removal of TKA from the IPO, AAOS produced a FAQ and other resource documents available on the AAOS website, here. However, AAOS also recently sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concern over interpretation of the new rule.

Increasing resident engagement is a priority for AAOS, and recruiting more residents into advocacy efforts represents an important step forward in that direction. With that in mind, the AAOS Office of Government Relations (OGR) recently launched a Resident Advocacy Fellowship. The 1-year program, which is directed by Stuart Weinstein, MD, is designed to enable AAOS to work more directly with resident members, and to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the Academy’s legislative and regulatory advocacy work in Washington, D.C.

At the annual luncheon honoring supporters of the Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (PAC), former congressman Charles Boustany Jr, MD, discussed how he went from practicing medicine to serving in Congress, and why it is critical that physicians stay involved in politics.

Before his time in Congress, Dr. Boustany was president and CEO of his own practice in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. However, after realizing that what happens in Washington, D.C., has a direct impact on practices back home, he decided to get involved in politics.

A native of New Orleans, Dr. Boustany served more than a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he cofounded the influential House Doctors Caucus and coauthored legislation to repeal the sustainable growth rate formula. According to Dr. Boustany, the ability to have an impact didn’t immediately happen, but only after building credibility on a number of issues. Then, he noted, he was able to play a more active role in many of the healthcare fights that have occurred over the years.

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) ended the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) then replaced it with the Quality Payment Program. Remember – the Quality Payment Program has two tracks you can choose: Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) OR the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). AAOS has shared the details of QPP and MIPS, which can be found on our website, here: www.aaos.org/MACRA-DeliveryReform/.

While at the AAOS Annual Meeting, six resident groups were honored by the Orthopaedic PAC at the 3rd Annual Resident Leadership Reception at Crescent City Brewhouse for reaching 100 percent PAC participation. Congratulations to Atlanta Medical Center, New York University, University of Connecticut, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, and Universidad de Puerto Rico!

Trump Finalizing Opioid Plan that Includes Death Penalty for Dealers, Politico, 3/15/18

House Panel to Examine 25 Opioid Bills Next Week, The Hill, 3/14/18

Alexander’s ACA Market Stabilization Proposal, Axios, 3/14/18

Bill to Shore Up Obamacare Would Reduce Premiums by 10 Percent, The Hill, 3/14/18

Administration Eyes New Direction for CMS Innovation Office, Morning Consult, 3/9/18

Azar Hints ACA Health Plans Could See Laxer Regulation, Modern Healthcare, 3/8/18

Proposed Federal Limits to Opioid Prescriptions Draw Opposition from Physicians and Patients, Stat, 3/6/18

Trump Administration Wants to Take On Medical Records Puzzle, Bloomberg, 3/6/18

White House Pushes for Conservative Changes to Obamacare Fix, The Hill, 3/6/18

Click here, to view the interactive version of the map below, which features each state’s PAC support for 2017.

To learn more about the Advisor’s Circle, email Stacie Monroe at monroe@aaos.org.