American Association of Clinical Urologists, Inc.

Resources

How to Talk to Legislators

Minnesota Medical Association

How to Meet With Members of Congress

Request an In-District MeetingYou don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with your member of Congress — meetings can be held right in your hometown... Read More

In-District Meetings

Request an In-District MeetingYou don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with your member of Congress — meetings can be held right in your hometown... Read More

The Importance of Staff

One of the most important roles urologists can play is to communicate effectively with your Member of Congress. This will require that you develop personal relationships... Read More

Host a Facility Visit

There is no substitute for the powerful message you send when you invite your elected and appointed officials to your practice to see firsthand the quality of care that you... Read More

@TheAACU

Advocacy Priorities

Prostate Cancer Screening and Awareness

Eliminating Misdiagnosis and Reducing Wasteful Medicare SpendingEvery 20 minutes an American man dies from prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that 161,360 men were told they have prostate cancer in 2017. Early detection is critical because research shows the five-year survival...
IPAB Repeal

IPAB permanently repealed in a major victory for the AACU and urology communityThe AACU is pleased to report that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (H.R. 1892) included provisions to repeal the Independent Physicians Advisory Board (IPAB), a 15-member panel of unelected officials that had the...
Graduate Medical Education and Physician Workforce Shortage

Ensuring a Well-Trained Physician Workforce Increase Federally Funded Physician Training ProgramsRequestUrologists urge Congress to acknowledge the importance of specialty medicine and address urological workforce shortages that jeopardize patient access to care. We urge lawmakers to support...
The Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers on Access to Affordable Treatment

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have a significant impact on prescription drug costs and the ability of patients to obtain the medications they need in a timely and affordable manner, and yet very little is known about their role. The AACU is dedicated to working with policymakers at both the...
Improve Preventive Task Force Recommendations, Preserve Access to Prostate Cancer Screening

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) plays a critical role in preventive care because its recommendations dictate what preventive services many health plans must provide without cost sharing. Currently, however, the USPSTF has little accountability. Task Force members are...
Medical Liability Reform: Protect Physician Volunteers During National Disasters

Protection for Physician Disaster VolunteersClinical urologists urge support for the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2017, introduced in the House by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) and in the Senate by Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA). This crucial legislation seeks to shield medical...
Modernize Law Restricting Coordinated Care (“Stark Law”)

When Congress enacted the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, it replaced a fundamentally flawed reimbursement framework with a program promoting value-based care delivery. Value-based care, as measured by the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and alternative payment...
Patients Over Paperwork: Reducing the Burden of Medicare Red Tape

Urologists across the country treat a high volume of Medicare patients and therefore deal with the program’s numerous requirements and complex payment structures on a near daily basis. The AACU is dedicated to working with legislators and policymakers to identify ways to simplify and...

State Advocacy

Fair Contracting and Medical Practice Freedom

Where We Stand Ensure openness and fairness in health care provider contacts. Prevent third-party payors from changing the terms of their provider contract without notice to the provider and without the consent of the provider. Ensure that physician licensure is based upon a physician's...
Medical Liability Reform — Expert Witness Qualifications

Strengthen expert witness standards Ensure that expert witness is from the same specialty as the defendant physician Prevent frivolous lawsuits Improve the practice environment for physicians in your stateWhenever a physician’s conduct is being called into question, it is only fair...
Prostate Cancer Awareness & Assessment

Where We Stand Continue the progress that has been made in the reduction of prostate cancer morbidity and mortality with the appropriate use of prostate cancer testing. Ensure that third-party payors provide for the reimbursement of prostate cancer testing when the patient and his physician...
Uniform Prior Authorization for Prescriptions and Health Services

Where We Stand Prior authorizations cost the health system $728 million in 2012. Prior authorization requests must use a single form, no more than two pages in length. Forms must available for both access and submission electronically. Requests are deemed approved if no response is...
Work Force — Scope of Practice

Where We Stand Allow the maximum patient-to-physician ratio to increase based on the number of physician assistants in a practice. Expand the ability of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to supervise medical assistants when doctors aren’t on the premises.Proactive Physician...