Share a Story, Change the World

Carter L. Alleman, JD

With the King v Burwell case decided, Congress will be able to focus on a wide array of healthcare issues. ACOS is moving to address challenges involved with alternative payment models (APM), Merit-based Incentive Payment (MIPS), and creating relatable quality measures. As we continue to ramp up advocacy efforts and increase our influence in the House of Medicine, we ask that you share your experiences with us reflecting how these and other issues are affecting your practice.

It is not uncommon to hear that a policy decision was based on another interest group’s idea rather than an actual medical professional’s input. A personal story is one of the best tools in an advocate’s tool bag. It serves as an excellent method to convey impact by providing the listener with experiential information which may not otherwise be available or considered. Government officials often do not realize or believe there is an issue until they hear personal stories from physicians. They are not doctors so they tend to base their ideas about how surgeons operate from their own experiences or from what is portrayed by the mass media. An example of this is the interoperability policy. In theory, having all EHRs communicate with each other would make healthcare more efficient and effective; However, when pen was put to paper, the result is what you are experiencing today - with data blockages, systems unable to communicate, and hours of data inputting. Your stories can help change this and shape policies in Congress and at the state level. Presently, we do not have any to share.

ACOS and other affiliate groups last month attended a policy meeting hosted by the American Medical Association to discuss Meaningful Use regulations recently issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Attendees shared member stories and/or member experiences with the program citing examples of practices opting out for business reasons and complications arising from the fact that the measurements do not apply to their specialties. ACOS was unable contribute. Instead, we discussed boilerplate issues with the rules. For ACOS to increase our influence and best serve you we need you to let us know what you are experiencing in your daily practices. Please contact me at [email protected] or at (800) 888-1312 to share your experience.