The Veterans Administration plans to phase out rheumatology and most other internal medicine subspecialties in the next four years. According to a report from the VA s Residency Realignment Review Committee, funding for the training of most specialists will be eliminated by the year 2000. The VA s new vision calls for a new emphasis on primary care. The ACR believes the decision to eliminate rheumatology was based on faulty assumptions. When the number of expected cases of rheumatic diseases is compared to the number of rheumatologists, it is clear that there is an undersupply.
Some rheumatologists often serve as primary care physicians for their patients.
The ACR believes the VA should recognize this dual role of rheumatologists and continue rheumatology training. The VA patient base is older and sicker than the general population. These patients have a higher incidence of the chronic rheumatic diseases best cared for by a rheumatologist. To ensure that you are properly listed in the membership directory, please send a copy of the letter from the American Board of Internal Medicine stating that you passed the exam, or a copy of the certificate to Member Services Department at the ACR office. The ACR encourages members to participate in policymaking by assuming positions of leadership in the organization.