APA Joins Senate Discussion on Physician Payments Sunshine Act

APA Medical Director James H. Scully Jr., M.D, joined the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging yesterday in a roundtable discussion on implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA). APA generally supports the PPSA and urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) to implement it in a way that gives physicians adequate time to comply fully with its provisions. Enacted into law as part of the Affordable Care Act, the PPSA is intended to increase the transparency of financial relationships among the drug industry, physicians, and teaching hospitals. Scully joined industry, policy, and advocacy leaders, including psychiatrist Jeremy Lazarus, M.D., president of the AMA, in the discussion.

In his remarks Scully said, “APA supports the underlying objectives of the PPSA, which complement our own initiatives to reduce perceived or potential conflicts of interest between industry and our member-driven activities.”

APA has made key recommendations to CMS to consider in its final rule on implementation of the PPSA. Read more about APA's position on the law in Psychiatric News.

(Image: APA)