FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON March 03, 2014
Nearly 150 Neurologists Gather on Capitol Hill to Seek Fair Reimbursement
MINNEAPOLIS -
What: A record number of neurologists from 41 states meet with lawmakers from congressional offices on March 4, 2014, for “Neurology on the Hill,” an event by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) to educate Congress on the need for fair reimbursement of neurologists who see Medicare patients. Who: Nearly 150 neurologists, US Rep. Phil Roe, MD (R-TN) and US Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), who will address the group ahead of the congressional visits. Where: Congressional offices, Washington, DC. Neurologists are available for advance interviews. When: March 4, 2014 Key Issues: The AAN supports new legislation (HR. 4015/S. 2000) that would repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Neurologists hope to replace the SGR formula with a long-term solution that will secure the future integrity of the Medicare program. Neurologists are also advocating to include neurology as an eligible specialty in the “Enhanced Access to Medicaid Services” bill (HR. 1838/S. 755), ensuring that Medicaid patients have access to cognitive care doctors, such as neurologists. “This legislation is extremely important for the one in six people with brain diseases,” said Timothy A. Pedley, MD, FAAN, President of the American Academy of Neurology. “With continued rapid growth in the size of our elderly population, the number of people who develop diseases of the aging brain, such as stroke and dementia, increases steadily as well. Having access to neurologists with the special expertise to provide the treatment and other services required by such diseases is imperative.” To date, more than 1,800 members of the AAN have participated in “Neurology on the Hill.” View a list of AAN neurologists participating in 2014 “Neurology on the Hill” at http://www.aan.com/public-policy/neurology-on-the-hill.