Posted: September 30, 2024
CSRO's annual Advocacy Conference was held in Nashville this year and brought together state rheumatology society leaders, advocacy experts, patient advocates, and practice managers from across the country for a dynamic weekend of learning and networking around key health policy issues affecting the rheumatology community.
The conference kicked off on Friday, September 20, with an opening address by Tennessee State Senator Shane Reeves, a community pharmacist and advocate for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. Senator Reeves, a leading voice in the fight against Alternative Funding Programs (AFPs), highlighted the importance of advocacy and encouraged attendees to actively engage in policy efforts to protect patient access to necessary treatments.
On Saturday, September 21, sessions delved into the latest developments in state and federal policy affecting rheumatologists, starting with an overview of new legislative initiatives, followed by a federal regulatory update on reimbursement, coding, and other regulatory concerns. The conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Jeff Curtis, gave an insightful presentation on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, and understanding its impact on rheumatology.
The remainder of the conference featured sessions on crucial issues such as prescription drug affordability boards (PDABs), the evolving policy landscape for programs like accumulator adjustment programs, maximizers, and AFPs. Attendees also explored challenges and potential solutions for self-insured plans, strategies for surviving in independent practice, and how to incorporate AI into value-based care models.
Additional materials for some of the sessions can be viewed here, and we hope to see you in 2025 in Dallas, Texas!
