The Continuing Medical Education (CME) Coalition sent letters of endorsement to lawmakers backing CME-supportive legislation proposed in Congress this year. The Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act would authorize the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award up to 100 grants for supplying accredited CME to federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics. The coalition's letter to Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) appreciated her understanding of "the importance of enhancing physician access to independent continuing education, especially as a means of combating rural health challenges and disparities." Meanwhile, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021 would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to further education and awareness of biosimilars among healthcare providers. The bill also provides credit under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System program for healthcare professionals who receive such training. CME Coalition Executive Director Chris Lamond's letter to bill sponsor Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said the group "wholeheartedly" supports the legislation and "believes that continuing medical education is an effective way to drive greater uptake of safe and effective biosimilars." In addition, the coalition signed off on the Medication Access and Training Expansion Act of 2021, which would require CME for prescribing opioids and other controlled substances and provide grant funding for professional associations to integrate substance use disorder education into standard healthcare education curricula. Finally, the group lauded the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act 3.0 Act of 2021 for requiring controlled substances prescribers to complete CME course work every three years and allocating $5 million in health education and training grants through the Public Health Service Act.

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