Academy Submits Statement to Senate Finance Committee

March 13, 2009

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The Academy's Legislative Affairs Committee and Washington office are watching closely the federal health care reform debate. Following up on the document titled "The Critical Role of Neurologists in Our Health Care System," the Academy recently called on the US Senate to initiate health care reform that recognizes the role of providing principal care for patients with chronic conditions. As part of a hearing on workforce issues the Academy submitted a statement, signed by President Stephen Sergay, MB BCh, FAAN, to the Senate Finance Committee on March 12.

The statement included documenting the role and needs of neurologist, while also asking Congress to institute reform that:

• Rewards high quality evidence-based care
• Focuses on patient-centered care and a principal care model
• Rewards the provision of evaluation and management (E/M) services to certain eligible patients who require intensive, time-consuming care management and coordination; options could include a separate monthly payment to specialists for management and coordination of care services, or a higher conversion factor for E/M services to certain eligible "high-cost" patients
• Provides an incentive for the best and brightest students to train in specialty medicine that provide care to this category of patients

"Health care reform is so important this year," said Academy President Sergay. "With physicians facing a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement next year and all of the other needs, it is important that neurology is at the table for these discussions."

As the healthcare reform discussion moves forward the Academy will continue to be at the forefront for its members. Learn more about what the Academy is doing regarding this important topic on the Healthcare Reform and Medicare Reimbursement page.

For questions or comments, contact AAN Professional Association Legislative Counsel Mike Amery at mamery@aan.com or at 202-349-4299.