September is Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month

Recognized each September, Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month was created to raise awareness for the over 52 million Americans living with a rheumatic disease. Often, advocacy is simply building awareness, and we invite you to join us on September 15 for a Day of Action to bring the issues impacting patients and practices to the attention of policy makers.

For our Day of Action, we will be providing the rheumatology community with a tool kit to easily join us in advocating by raising awareness. Additional details and reminders will be shared on social media and via email, so be sure to stay connected!

In the meantime, here are a few easy steps to get ready:

• Find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to stay in the know
• Help spread the word by retweeting, reposting, or sharing today's post about Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month
• Schedule time in your day on September 15 to help take action

The Inflation Reduction Act created a mechanism for Medicare to set a “maximum fair price” (MFP) for certain selected prescription drugs. On August 29, the Administration met the first major MFP implementation deadline by announcing the first 10 Part D drugs that will be subject to the new mechanism – the full list can be found here.

Of note to rheumatology, Enbrel and Stelara are included. Today’s announcement does not immediately affect pricing; rather, it begins a statutorily described process of interaction between CMS and the affected drug companies, with the resulting MFPs taking effect in 2026 for these first ten products.

The recently released list does not include Part B medications, because the initial MFP applicability year for those is 2028. CSRO will continue to monitor and share updates as appropriate.

CSRO was in Austin last weekend with rheumatology advocates from across the country for our annual Advocacy Conference. The program focused on issues at both the state and federal levels impacting rheumatology patients and practices – read a full recap of the conference here.

Thank you to everyone who gathered with us to strategize about advocacy and celebrate CSRO's 20 years of serving as a voice for the rheumatology community!

Check out all of the photos from our event, and keep an eye on our Education Library because recordings from this year's event will be available soon.

What's Happening in the States

CSRO tracks legislative activity relevant to the rheumatology community and their patients. Check out the list below to see the status of CSRO priority bills from the past two weeks, and click here to view a full status report of CSRO priority bills.

Be sure to check out our interactive legislative map tool for additional details.

CALIFORNIA

Rebate Pass Through

• SB 873: Placed on Appropriations Committee suspense file

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

White Bagging 

• HB 513: Subcommittee work session scheduled for 9/6

Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month: September

Help create awareness about how rheumatology patients suffer because they are not protected from utilization management practices.

Business of Rheumatology: October 4, 2023

Don't miss the third seminar in CSRO's virtual series which will discuss advanced practice providers (APPs) and the workforce.

Action Center

Use CSRO's convenient online platform to easily find out who your elected officials are and engage with them directly.

Advocacy Council

Amplify your voice by assembling with other like-minded individuals to enhance CSRO’s advocacy initiatives.

Legislative Map Tool

Find your state on our interactive map tool to learn about current or proposed policy and ways you can take action to make an impact.

Rheum for Action

Learn about the latest advocacy issues in CSRO's advocacy column produced in partnership with Rheumatology News.

Payer Issues Reporting Form

Request assistance with any payer relation issues that may be impacting your patients or office.

Policy Correspondence

Easily access all of CSRO’s policy letters submitted to payers, state, and federal governments as an informational resource.

Step Therapy Cover Sheets

Review CSRO's state-specific step therapy materials that help guide practices in gaining an exemption from step therapy protocols.

CSRO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has remained dedicated to ensuring access to the highest quality care since 2003 – donate today.

Questions?

Please visit the CSRO website for other news and updates, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at info@csro.info.