This was successfully posted to your pofile.
This box will close automatically in a few seconds. Close this window
We don't have an e-mail address on file for you. To use AAFP Connection, you must have an e-mail address in our records. Click Here
Support Primary Care GME; Contact Your Legislators Now
Family Medicine Matters Video, Speak Out Alert Rally Members
By News Staff
As part of its Family Medicine Matters campaign, the AAFP has issued a Speak Out alert and a two-minute video that urge Academy members to contact their representatives in Washington now to help stop deep cuts in the nation's graduate medical education, or GME, programs.
"Congress needs to wake up and realize that if they cut GME and fail to protect primary care in the process, Americans simply won't have the family doctors they rely on," says AAFP President Glen Stream, M.D., M.B.I., of Spokane, Wash., in the video. "We can't let politicians make decisions that harm family physicians and our patients without hearing from us first. Tell Congress: Protect graduate medical education funding."
Stream tells AAFP members, "It's time to stand up and fight for our profession, our practices and our patients." He directs members to a website that allows them to contact their Washington representatives directly to voice support for GME and against proposed cuts to these programs.
Both Congress and the Obama administration have proposed steep cuts in GME funding that threaten the future of family medicine, says Stream. The president's fiscal commission recommends cutting $6 billion from GME, and the House wants to cut $14 billion, says Stream in the video. The Congressional Budget Office, meanwhile, has suggested turning GME into a grant program to save $25 billion, and now the bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction -- also known as the "supercommittee" -- may target GME for cuts, notes Stream.
"GME is the source of most residency program funding," says Stream. "Without federal funding, teaching hospitals won't be able to sustain residencies, particularly primary care residencies. This means fewer well-trained family docs. And I don't have to tell you that this country needs us now more than ever."
The AAFP launched the Family Medicine Matters campaign on Oct. 14 in response to the federal government's search for ways to reduce the federal deficit. The campaign is designed to rally member and congressional support for three issues vital to the continued success of family medicine:
Stream tells AAFP members, "It's time to stand up and fight for our profession, our practices and our patients." He directs members to a website that allows them to contact their Washington representatives directly to voice support for GME and against proposed cuts to these programs.
Both Congress and the Obama administration have proposed steep cuts in GME funding that threaten the future of family medicine, says Stream. The president's fiscal commission recommends cutting $6 billion from GME, and the House wants to cut $14 billion, says Stream in the video. The Congressional Budget Office, meanwhile, has suggested turning GME into a grant program to save $25 billion, and now the bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction -- also known as the "supercommittee" -- may target GME for cuts, notes Stream.
"GME is the source of most residency program funding," says Stream. "Without federal funding, teaching hospitals won't be able to sustain residencies, particularly primary care residencies. This means fewer well-trained family docs. And I don't have to tell you that this country needs us now more than ever."
The AAFP launched the Family Medicine Matters campaign on Oct. 14 in response to the federal government's search for ways to reduce the federal deficit. The campaign is designed to rally member and congressional support for three issues vital to the continued success of family medicine:
- repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula,
- protection of GME funding, and
- increased funding for Title VII health professions training grants.
Share this on AAFP Connection
This was successfully posted to your pofile.
This box will close automatically in a few seconds. Close this window
We don't have an e-mail address on file for you. To use AAFP Connection, you must have an e-mail address in our records. Click Here
Search AAFP News Now
Government & Medicine
Fee-For-Service Is Here to Stay for Now, Says Policy Expert
Legislators Air Differing Views on Health Care Reform
OTC Prescription Provision Creates Burden
House Bill Would Reform Medicare Payment
Pharmacists Prescribing? Absolutely Not, Says AAFP
AAFP, Others Asks CMS to Re-evaluate Penalty Timelines
Proposed CMS Rule on Overpayment Creates Difficulties
Nurse Education Demo Must Focus on Primary Care, Says AAFP
FP Advocacy Focus of Recent Visit to Capitol Hill
Funding Needed for Family Medicine Programs
Permanently Adopting Primary Care Pay Hike Could Save Billions
Study Highlights Role of CHCs in Health Care System
Ensuring Access to GME Is Focus of Message on Capitol Hill
Congress Passes Payment Patch, Fails to Repeal SGR
AAFP Continues to Press for SGR Repeal on Capitol Hill
Groups Demand That Congress Fix the SGR
PCMH Is Answer to Medicare Payment Problems
Physician Groups Unite to Call for SGR Repeal
Threatened Medicare Payment Cuts Cause Chaos for FPs
AAFP, Medical Organizations Push for SGR Repeal
Focus of Conference Call is Shared Savings, Advance Payment
FPs Can Expect Slight Changes in Medicare Pay for 2012
HHS Approach to Essential Health Benefits Falls Flat
CMS Delays Implementation of 'Sunshine Act'
Congress Works Out Temporary Solution to SGR Cut
Community-based Residencies Would Benefit From House Bill
GME Funding to Remain Level in 2012
House Rejects Measure to Block Medicare Pay Cut
House Addresses Medicare Payment Cut
AAFP Backs Tavenner as New CMS Administrator
Supercommittee Fails to Address SGR
Overcoming Scarce Resources to Enact Health Care Reform
Medicare Payment: Value Is as Important as Volume
AAFP President-elect Makes Return Visit to Capitol Hill
Insurance Exchanges, CO-OPs Might Provide Opportunity for FPs
AAFP Members Speak Out on Title VII Funding
Campaign Addresses Need for Medicare Payment Reform
AAFP Continues to Press Congress for Payment Solution
AAFP Leaders Take On Washington
Campaign Focuses on GME Outreach
'Family Medicine Matters,' AAFP Members Tell Congress
AAFP Outlines Suggested Changes for CO-OP Program
Groups Call on Supercommittee to Address Medical Liability Reform
Grassroots Efforts to Repeal SGR Continue
Bill Linking Mandatory Education to Prescribing Not Needed
Blended Payment Model Gives Boost to Primary Care Services
AAFP Joins AMA, Other Groups in Calling for SGR Repeal
Eliminating SGR May Come With High Price
Tobacco Oversight Must Include Cigars, Say AAFP, Other Groups
AAFP Rallies Congress of Delegates on Medicare Payment
AMA Task Force Focuses on Fixing the SGR
2012 Physician Fee Schedule Needs Work, Says AAFP
New Task Force Takes Steps to Better Value Primary Care
Deficit-reduction Plan Must Eliminate SGR, Says AAFP
Physicians File Lawsuit Over RUC, CMS Relationship
Policy Brief Explains HHS Insurance Exchange Plans