The prior authorization approval process consumes valuable physician and staff time, costs physician practices money, and may negatively impact patients by delaying much-needed treatment. Prior authorization costs doctors across the country $23 billion annually. The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act reduces cost by streamlining the process and increasing transparency.
AGA members met with federal lawmakers during AGA Advocacy Day and their staff to talk about prior authorization — among other AGA priorities. This had an almost immediate effect. Shortly after the event, The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act jumped to 219 cosponsors, greatly advancing the House bill through the legislative process. The Senate version is expected to be released soon. Thank you to the 42 AGA members that attended Advocacy Day and all of you that sent letters!
Let’s keep the momentum going! If you haven’t already, urge your member of Congress to cosponsor The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act.
Advocacy Day highlights
Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, R-LA, the only gastroenterologist serving in Congress, thanks AGA members for their advocacy:
In addition to meeting with lawmakers, advocates heard from Punchbowl News co-founders Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman on the current political environment in Washington and what we can expect to see advance in the health care policy arena.
