Articles

"Lawmakers must prioritize medical liability protection and support health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic," writes Ross E. Weber of the AACU.

Pandemic medical liability protections considered by Congress

"Virtual or in person, what matters is... bringing our specialty’s voice directly to the people who create and enforce the policies impacting our profession," Reha writes.

Virtual advocacy: A paradigm shift for urology

"In the coming days, months, and years, physicians must be vigilant about protecting patient privacy and safety and maintaining appropriate reimbursement standards," writes the AACU's Ross E. Weber.

State telemedicine rules relaxed during COVID-19 crisis

"The widely varying enforceability of non-compete clauses or restrictive covenants requires physicians to pay special attention to contract provisions related to compensation as well as competition," writes the AACU's Ross E. Weber.

Policymakers consider changes to non-compete rules

Videos

LUGPA President Dr. Harris discusses legislative/policy challenges in 2020.

LUGPA President Dr. Richard Harris: 2020 challenges

Dr. Holton, vice chair of LUGPA's Health Policy Committee, spoke with Urology Times at the 2019 LUGPA annual meeting in Chicago.

Dr. Mara Holton discusses LUGPA's recent policy victories, upcoming challenges

"Overall, the modifications to Stark that CMS seeks to implement represent a net win for urology and the vast majority of patients, physicians, and other health care providers," writes the AACU's Yehuda A. Sugarman.

Effort to reform Stark law reflects shift to value-based care

Bob Gatty, a former congressional aide, covers news from Washington for Urology Times.

A new report by the National Academy of Medicine urges action by government, educational institutions, and health care organizations to address the causes of physician burnout, which is experienced by up to one-half of clinicians in the U.S. and threatens patient care.

Report urges action on physician burnout

Karen Nash is a medical reporter and media consultant based in Monroeville, PA.

"In an ideal world, it could work pretty well. We live in a capitalistic society, however, and insurance companies are not going to voluntarily implode in order to make it easy to implement a Medicare for All system," says one urologist.

What’s your opinion of Medicare for All?

National politics, state advocacy issues, and innovative topics in urologic care came together as urologists from every practice setting and at varied points in their careers gathered in Washington for the AACU 2019 annual meeting.

AACU annual meeting promotes advocacy, unity, political action

"Overall, the 2020 Medicare payment proposal attempts to modernize the program and mitigate administrative burdens. The urologic community has identified room for improvement, however, including in the area of facilitating participation in advanced payment models," writes the AACU's Ross E. Weber.

CMS proposed rule shows room for improvement

"Congress must pass Stark Law reform this year, and in coordination with CMS, engage the medical community to update MACRA so that physicians have the support they need to transition to more efficient models of care delivery and better serve Medicare patients," writes Yehuda A. Sugarman of the AACU.

Transition to value-based care requires MACRA reform

Willie Underwood, III, MD, MSc, MPH, the Buffalo, NY urologist elected to the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees in June, believes physicians must step up and help influence governmental decisions designed to improve and expand health care for all Americans.

Urologist elected to AMA Board of Trustees

Representatives from several urology organizations discuss the concept of Medicare for All.

Uro groups offer takes on Medicare for All

"State funding for GME is becoming increasingly important in the absence of significant movement from the federal government," writes the AACU's Ross E. Weber.

Residency funding urgently needed to address work force shortage

​"I would love to hear candidates talk about the astronomically ridiculous prices hospitals charge for surgeries, even outpatient surgeries," one urologist says.

What health care issues should presidential candidates address?

"While the medical profession struggles most with administrative barriers to patient-centered care, cost transparency is at the root of the general population's distress," writes Ross E. Weber.

Proposals to mitigate 'surprise billing' affect all physicians

Hassles caused by Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements are being targeted by a coalition of medical specialty organizations and a bipartisan group of congressional representatives who are responding to their concerns.

AUA among groups urging passage of prior authorization bill

In the face of President Trump’s proposed annual budget cuts of $47.9 billion for federal graduate medical education programs over the next decade, the medical profession is urging Congress to approve legislation to significantly increase federal GME support and help combat looming shortages in both primary and specialty care.

AUA advocates for GME funding bill

"If elected, [Greg Murphy, MD] will become part of a de facto Congressional Urology Caucus with Neal Dunn, MD," writes the AACU's Ross E. Weber.

Health Law & Policy