The American Medical Association released a list of the top issues that will impact physicians this year.
The issues include:
1. Access to healthcare coverage as an ACA repeal could leave 20 million-plus Americans without the healthcare they gained under the ACA.
2. CMS's final rule for implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act will affect physician practices. Additionally, since the sustainable growth rate was repealed in 2015, payment in the future could rely on the Quality Payment Program, designed to support the physician's efforts to provide high quality care.
3. The opioid epidemic claimed 33,091 lives in 2015, up from 28,647 the year before. Addressing chronic pain and opioid addiction will be a growing challenge.
4. Increasing prescription drug prices makes access to medication difficult for some people.
5. EHR interoperability for physician practices and hospitals.
6. The ACA placed regulatory burdens on physicians, which was a factor in physician burn-out.
More articles on healthcare:
8 MIS spine devices making headlines
Illinois orthopedic practice updates policy for state workers: pay 50% of bill upfront
American College of Physicians opposes repealing ACA