Federal Watch
April 5th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we provide an update on Nancy Lundebjerg’s latest visit to Capitol Hill, as well as Jennie Chin Hansen’s opportunity to speak on behalf of the Measure Applications Partnership at the National Quality Forum’s Annual Meeting. We additionally inform you of a new CMS National Provider Call focused on the Physician Quality Reporting System and electronic prescribing, and remind you of upcoming grant and initiative deadlines. Lastly, we update you on this week’s advocacy activities, which include a comment letter in regards to the Draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. As always, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
AGS COO Stresses Importance of Title VII and VIII Geriatrics Health Professions Programs
Serving in her role as Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA) co-convener, Nancy Lundebjerg, AGS COO, visited with lawmakers on Wednesday, stressing the importance of Title VII and VIII geriatrics health professions funding. Along with EWA policy advisor Gail MacInnes, and AGS Washington D.C. representative Jennifer Pharaoh, JD of Nelson Mullins, Lundebjerg met with 8 Senate offices, in order to stress the need to support and expand the number of faculty and educators who provide geriatrics training.
Jennie Chin Hansen Attends NQF Annual Meeting to Speak on Behalf of Measure Applications Partnership
This week, Jennie Chin Hansen attended the National Quality Forum’s (NQF) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. to participate on a panel focused on the work of the Measures Application Partnership (MAP) titled, “Identifying the Right Measures for Public Reporting and Payment.” Ms. Hansen was invited to speak on behalf of the Dual Eligible Beneficiaries workgroup, which AGS is a member of. Ms. Hansen discussed the Workgroup’s accomplishments, challenges, and future directions.
Physician Quality Reporting System & Electronic Prescribing National Provider Call on the Electronic Prescribing 10-Month Feedback Report:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national provider call on the Physician Quality Reporting System & Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program. Subject matter experts will provide an overview on the Electronic Prescribing 10-Month Feedback Report, followed by a question and answer session.
We encourage you to register before April 17, by visiting here. The presentation will be posted at least one day before the call in the “Downloads” section on the CMS website.
Reminders
AHRQ’s New Comparative Effectiveness Research Grants Program – Applications due May 2 (first round)
We previously reported that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced a new grants program aimed at training researchers in comparative clinical effectiveness research. The program, entitled AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid-Career and Senior Investigators (K18), targets established mid-career and senior investigators who are interested in developing new skills in comparative effectiveness research methodology and applying these methods to patient-centered outcome research (PCOR). For additional information on the grants program, including application instructions and key dates, click here.
CMS Announces New Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care Workforce – Applications due May 21
Last week, we reported that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a call for applications for a new Affordable Care Act initiative designed to strengthen primary care in the US. Under the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration, CMS will provide hospitals working with nursing schools to train advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with payments of up to $200 million over four years to cover the costs of APRNs’ clinical training. APRNs—whether they are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives—play a pivotal role in primary care. For more information including how to apply, visit the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration website.
What AGS Did This Week
AGS submitted a comment letter in regards to the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. Thanks to our diverse team of member experts in this field, we provided specific recommendations around workforce development, clinical training, and research. Specifically, we touched upon the following:
- The importance of expanding and enhancing the workforce needed to care for older adults through geriatrics education and training.
- Care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias should take into account the prevalence of other multiple chronic conditions.
- There should be substantial research into health services delivery and better models of care to support older Americans with dementia, their families, and the entire community.
- Federal agencies should work with stakeholders to identify how existing guidelines and measures are being used and also to better align recommendations in these guidelines and standards set forth in quality measures.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS’ Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: April 5th, 2012
