ACMG Efforts Lead to AMA's Support of Health Coverage for Medical Food Products: Resolution 122 - Health Coverage For Nutritional Products For Inborn Errors Of Metabolism

BETHESDA, Md., June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the 2016 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) submitted Resolution 122 asking that the American Medical Association (AMA) support legislation mandating insurance coverage for medical food products used to treat inborn errors of metabolism with minimal deductible or copays. The Resolution also asked for the AMA to advocate with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and members of Congress for the regulation of specialized nutritional products for the medical treatment of inborn errors of metabolism as drugs.

R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG, ACMG's Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates (HOD), was the "sponsor" of the Resolution at the Annual Meeting of the HOD, and according to the following quote from the Reference Committee report, he eloquently persuaded the Delegates to support the Resolution: 

"The sponsor emphasized that health coverage for nutritional products for inborn errors of metabolism is essential as these medical foods can be expensive and failure to treat these conditions can result in debilitating health conditions and even death…While the intent of Resolution 122 is consistent with existing policy, your Reference Committee heard compelling testimony from the sponsor of Resolution 122 to adopt more current, focused policy."

This is the third AMA Resolution that ACMG has sponsored.  Its adoption is very important, as now ACMG and other stakeholders can cite this in communicating with insurers and policymakers. The AMA Resolution came just days before the US Senate authorized medical foods coverage for military families in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S.2943), on June 14; that bill must now be harmonized with the House version passed last month. ACMG will be working with the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD), the National PKU Alliance and other stakeholders who stand behind this important public health issue.

ACMG continues to advocate rigorously on behalf of members and patients for access to and reimbursement for genetic services. By advocating for issues of highest priority to the medical genetics field and promote the ACMG's core values and mission, ACMG also improve the lives and health of the families with and at risk for heritable disorders.

About the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and ACMG Foundation
Founded in 1991, ACMG is the only nationally recognized medical society dedicated to improving health through the clinical practice of medical genetics and genomics. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (www.acmg.net) provides education, resources and a voice for 2000 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals, nearly 80% of whom are board certified in the medical genetics specialties. The College's mission is to develop and sustain genetic initiatives in clinical and laboratory practice, education and advocacy. Three guiding pillars underpin ACMG's work: 1) Clinical and Laboratory Practice:  Establish the paradigm of genomic medicine by issuing statements and evidence-based or expert clinical and laboratory practice guidelines and through descriptions of best practices for the delivery of genomic medicine. 2) Education: Provide education and tools for medical geneticists, other health professionals and the public and grow the genetics workforce. 3) Advocacy: Work with policymakers and payers to support the responsible application of genomics in medical practice. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG's website (www.acmg.net) offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Find a Geneticist tool. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals through the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine (www.acmgfoundation.org.)

CONTACT:
Kathy Beal
301-238-4582
[email protected]

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

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