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State Health Policy
ACP's State Health Policy program helps internal medicine physicians gain influence in their state capitols on issues affecting them and their patients. Learn more below about the key policy issues impacting the states, how chapters can take action, and other available tools and resources.
2022 State Legislative Session Calendar
Find out when your state’s legislative session begins, adjourns and convene for special sessions.
Understanding Advocacy and Why We Do It - A Comprehensive Toolkit for Chapters
ACP has created an advocacy best practices toolkit to support engagement in and the efficacy of chapter-level advocacy at the state and federal level. This comprehensive toolkit breaks down the different methods and mediums for advocacy engagement and highlights all the programs and resources offered by ACP to make the most of chapters’ advocacy efforts.
View Toolkit (ACP Members only)
The U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Roe v. Wade: What it Means for Reproductive Health
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ACP has prepared this toolkit to assist chapters in navigating issues surrounding abortion rights and related policies in their state. The toolkit is intended to be informational but also actionable for those chapters wishing to advocate on this important issue. Sample letters to state officials are included for those chapters wishing to take action.
For any questions regarding this toolkit or how this decision will impact your state, please submit all questions through the Advocacy Assistance Request Form to ensure we can track inquiries and respond in the most timely and efficient manner.
COVID-19
ACP has prepared a chapter action toolkit that ACP chapters can use to advance policies at the state level as they relate to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
ACP’s New Vision for the U.S. Health Care System
ACP urges chapters to educate and influence stakeholders and state policymakers about ACP’s New Vision for the U.S. Health Care System in order to build a better, fairer, simpler, and less costly health care system.
Health Coverage
ACTION Stabilizing Health Insurance Markets
ACP has prepared a chapter action tool kit that ACP chapters can use to advance policies at the state level that will help ensure continued health coverage and essential benefits, strengthen and expand Medicaid, and stabilize the health insurance market.
INFO Developments with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Trump Administration and Congress have made repeated attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or otherwise weaken the law through executive action. Some recent changes to existing law are notable.
INFO ACA Enrollment: Help Your Patients Enroll in Health Insurance Marketplaces
ACP has put together a series of documents to address questions about the changes in healthcare coverage brought about by the marketplaces.
INFO Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal-state financed program that provides health insurance to about 9 million children in families who are ineligible for Medicaid and unable to purchase private coverage.
Medicaid
INFO Future of Medicaid
Medicaid is the largest public health insurance program. It provides health coverage to nearly 75 million Americans or 1 in 5 Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. ACP has long-supported the Medicaid program as vital in the effort to ensure that this nation’s most vulnerable population has access to health coverage.
ACTION State Medicaid Waivers
The Section 1115 demonstrations allow states to waive certain requirements and have been used by states to expand eligibility, test delivery system reforms, and establish managed care programs, among other things. ACP chapters should evaluate and submit comments, if appropriate, on proposed Medicaid waivers submitted by their state, especially if those waivers conflict with ACP policy.
Federal Workforce Programs
INFO Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education
These federal health programs operate in communities across the country and are designed to expand access to primary care services and they rely on the federal government for their funding.
INFO Loan and Scholarship Programs under Title VII
These programs within Title VII are noteworthy because they have a significant impact on the pipeline of incoming primary care physicians.
INFO Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
The U.S. Department of Education takes action to ease the application and approval process for borrowers who want to take advantage of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which helps students attend medical school and makes it possible for young physicians to serve in governmental and nonprofit settings.
Physician Payment
INFO Surprise Medical Billing
ACP has prepared a chapter information brief to help inform ACP chapters about ACP’s principles on surprise medical billing and help chapters better understand the issue.
INFO The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)
MACRA transformed the way that physicians are paid under Medicare, turning the system into one that focuses on value instead of the volume of services provided. Its implementation continues.
INFO New Primary Care Codes for Payment
Physicians rely on billing codes for payment under Medicare and they can now bill for a new set of primary care codes.
Other
NEW INFO Attacks on Gender-Affirming and Transgender Health Care
A growing number of states are banning gender-affirming health care and pursuing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
NEW ACTION Advocacy Toolkit: Addressing Rising Workplace Violence Against Physicians and Health Care Workers
ACP has developed this comprehensive toolkit to enable chapters to advocate with state officials to enhance state laws to protect physicians and all health care workers from workplace violence.
NEW ACTION Advocacy Toolkit: Period Poverty
ACP has developed a chapter advocacy toolkit to enable chapters to advocate for improved access to necessary menstrual hygiene products.
INFO Texas “Heartbeat” Abortion Law
The Texas abortion law SB. 8, known as the “Texas Heartbeat Act,” prohibits abortions after the presence of a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant, and only makes exceptions for medical emergencies.
ACTION Policy and Advocacy on Scope of Practice
ACP has developed a comprehensive tool kit as a resource for chapters on scope of practice issues.
ACTION Vaccine Exemptions/Elimination of Non-Medical Exemptions from State Immunization Laws
ACP has prepared a chapter action tool kit that ACP chapters can use to help advance legislation in their states that eliminate any existing exemptions, except for medical reasons, from their immunization laws and/or oppose legislation to expand exemptions.
ACTION Reducing Administrative Burdens
Great strides have been made to help reduce excessive administrative tasks on physicians and patients and ACP has developed a new online tool to allow you to share your stories of “burden” with us.
ACTION Reducing Firearm-Related Injuries and Deaths
ACP has prepared a chapter action tool kit that ACP chapters can use to help advance legislation in their states to reduce firearms-related injuries and deaths.
INFO Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Individuals with deferred action for childhood arrival (DACA) status, including the dozens of them who are enrolled in U.S. medical schools or physician residency programs, will face deportation if Congress fails to act in granting them a legal pathway to U.S. citizenship.
INFO Climate Change Toolkit
ACP has developed resources to help reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in your practice.
INFO Education and Events
Watch the latest ACP State Health Policy webinars.
INFO Advocacy Services and Support from the ACP Washington Office
Advocacy Services and Support from the ACP Washington Office provides guidance to ACP members on how to seek assistance from the ACP National Office on policy issues affecting physicians and patients in their state.