Don't deport our "dreamers"; DACA bill earns physician support
The AMA has expressed its support for the "Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act" (BRIDGE Act), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would provide protection from deportation for undocumented young immigrants—often called "dreamers"—who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
The letter (PDF) was sent Monday to the U.S. Senate sponsors of the bill (S. 128), Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. Reps. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who also received a letter (PDF), have introduced the bill in the House (H.R. 496).
"I do not believe we should pull the rug out and push these young men and women—who came out of the shadows and registered with the federal government—back into the darkness," Graham said in a press release.
The BRIDGE Act would offer people who meet certain requirements the opportunity to apply for protected legal status and work authorization for three years. The bill would "provide important protection and stability until a permanent solution on lawful immigration status for DACA recipients is implemented," AMA Executive Vice President and CEO James L. Madara, MD, wrote.
DACA's impact has been felt in medicine. More than 60 medical schools considered applications from students with DACA status for the 2016 – 2017 academic year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. In the coming decades, DACA protections could enable as many as 5,400 previously ineligible people to join the U.S. physician workforce, the AMA's letter says.
Read more at AMA Wire®.
Dr. Price's nomination to be HHS Secretary advances
The Senate Committee on Finance Feb. 1 reported out the nomination of Representative Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 14-0, with all Republicans supporting the nomination.
Democrats on the committee did not attend the nomination vote, which came following a week of procedural machinations that affected several nominations. The full Senate is likely to vote on Dr. Price's nomination later this week.
Congress examines the ACA landscape
Both chambers of Congress last week held several hearings to examine the current landscape of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Among the panels holding hearings, the House Energy & Commerce Committee examined potential changes to the Medicaid program as well as opportunities to strengthen the ACA exchange insurance market.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee also held a hearing to seek immediate solutions to stabilize the individual health insurance market. Congress will continue to examine issues surrounding the ACA, although it is not yet clear when legislative activity related to the ACA will occur.
IPAB repeal legislation introduced in the House and Senate
Legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) last week was introduced on a bipartisan and bicameral basis. Representatives Phil Roe, MD, R-Tenn., and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., introduced H.R. 849, while Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced S. 260 and S. 251, respectively.
Separately, the same members last week introduced resolutions in the House (H.J. Res. 51) and Senate (S.J. Res. 16 and S.J. Res. 17) that would discontinue automatic implementation of IPAB recommendations. These resolutions, which were prescribed by provisions in the Affordable Care Act, enjoy several procedural protections relative to the standard repeal legislation.
It is not yet known when or how the House and Senate will consider this issue. The AMA continues to strongly support repealing the IPAB and will be working with the House and Senate in this effort.
