News/Press Releases

• AGS supports CMS’ decision to not reopen its NCD on monoclonal antibodies and appreciates CMS’ commitment to review any new evidence that becomes available, such as evidence of clinical benefit, that may lead CMS to reconsider the NCD. http://ow.ly/nExW50N6pS

New York (March 2, 2023) — The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) supports the decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to not reconsider its prior national coverage determination (NCD) for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved monoclonal antibodies directed against amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  We appreciate CMS’ commitment to expeditiously review any new evidence that comes available that could lead to a reconsideration and change in the NCD, such as evidence that answers the Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) questions or approval by the FDA based upon evidence of clinical benefit.

• AGS partners with other US healthcare professional organizations to promote the importance of #vaccinations and early treatment of COVID-19 and influenza cases this fall and winter. Read the full press release: http://ow.ly/EA9W50LJZfx

Statement from: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of Physician Associates, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, Council of Medical Specialty Societies, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine

NEW YORK (November 21, 2022) – Given the anticipated increase in COVID-19 and influenza cases this fall and winter, America’s healthcare professional organizations are coming together to remind the public of the importance of vaccinations and early treatment. A strong recommendation from a trusted clinician is one of the most effective strategies to increase vaccine uptake. We encourage our members to use every interaction with patients as an opportunity to make strong vaccine recommendations, educate and answer questions about prevention and treatment options, encourage vaccination, and where feasible provide vaccination.

• The public comment period for reviewing the 2022 AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults is now open through December 9th! Click here for more details: http://ow.ly/2ZGZ50LAaZc

NEW YORK (November 10, 2022) —The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today opened a public comment period for reviewing the draft updated 2022 AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Last updated in 2019, the AGS Beers® Criteria remain one of the most frequently cited reference tools in geriatrics, detailing certain types of medications which may be inappropriate to prescribe to older people who are not receiving hospice or palliative care. Comments from any and all members of the public—accepted only at https://www.americangeriatrics.org/form/ags-beers-criteria-public-comment through 5pm ET on December 9, 2022—will help inform the final version of the AGS 2022 Updated Beers® Criteria, slated for release this fall. 

For their proposed 2022 update, the interprofessional panel of geriatrics experts responsible for the AGS Beers® Criteria identified more than 40 potentially problematic medications or classes of medications presently organized across five lists:

• Today, @AmerGeriatrics published a new framework for understanding the intersection of structural racism and ageism in healthcare in @AGSJournal. Read more: http://ow.ly/3qWI50LfGxU

   

• .@AmerGeriatrics is proud to partner with Phairify to deliver new tools for AGS members to support them as they make decisions about their geriatrics careers. http://ow.ly/rVGg50KFIcq

New York, NY (September 12, 2022) - The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has partnered with Phairify to deliver new tools for AGS members. Phairify’s specialty-specific professional practice information and career management platform provides members who participate in AGS/Phairify designed-studies with insight into their value and worth backed by geriatrics-specific compensation and productivity data. AGS members will anonymously be able to compare with their peers and have access to specialty-specific data that will help them to define their own career paths. Participating members who are negotiating a contract will be able to compare compensation levels that are aligned with the criteria personalized to them such as type of practice, years in practice, and geographic area. The experience is designed to be data driven, personalized, and discrete. 

• Geriatrics experts at AGS/NIH funded U13 Virtual Bench to Bedside Conference explore the relationship between heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death. http://ow.ly/EYHN50JQMa4

New York, NY (July 6, 2022) —  Experts’ discussions and recommendations (DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17921) addressing the interface between cancer and heart disease were published this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), summarizing sessions from a virtual bench to bedside conference hosted by the American Society of Geriatrics (AGS) and funded by the National Institute of Health’s (NIH’s) National Institute on Aging (NIA).

• New @AmerGeriatrics President G. Michael Harper (@GMHarperdoc) promises to lead the AGS in its efforts to combat discrimination and bias in healthcare for all Americans as we age. #Geriatrics http://ow.ly/jGgH50J0yHE

New York (May 5, 2022)— G. Michael Harper, MD, AGSF, will step into the role of President of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) when healthcare is still facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on our communities. But he’s also at the forefront of positive change, stepping into a leadership role and continuing his long service as a prominent voice advocating for the Society’s vision to contribute to our communities and maintain our health, safety, and independence as we age. He is taking the helm as the AGS ramps up its efforts to achieve a collective future that is free from discrimination and bias.   

• At #AGS22, @AmerGeriatrics and #geriatrics experts casts a wide net for social & scientific innovations shaping better care for us all as we age. http://ow.ly/H6OV50IZluC

New York (May 4, 2022)– Researchers presenting at this year’s American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22) held May 12-14 in Orlando, Florida represent excellence in geriatrics scholarship, with this year’s selection drawn from a pool of more than 900 submissions. Highlights from this year’s prestigious AGS22 Plenary Paper Session (Thurs., May 12 9:30-10:15am) include: 

• .@AmerGeriatrics opposes policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ Individuals. http://ow.ly/rqqy50IYg5W

New York (May 3, 2022) —The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) stands against discrimination, harassment, prejudice, systemic injustice, and violence targeting any individual for their identity. We have long called for healthcare policies that require equal treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals, regardless of age, and for recognition of the preferred name and gender identity of transgender individuals, regardless of legal or biological gender status.  

The AGS opposes policies that discriminate against persons who are LGBTQ+ such as the recently enacted Florida law that prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and laws enacted in Texas, Alabama, and Utah that discriminate against transgender individuals. We believe that legislation, orders, or policies that single out or target groups or individuals—implicitly or explicitly—impede the progress we have made, and directly stigmatize and isolate already vulnerable populations. Our members know first-hand the negative impact that a lifetime of discrimination has on the health, well-being, and quality of life of older people.  

• . @AmerGeriatrics welcomes its newest class of fellows—a select group of experts recognized for their deep commitment to the AGS and to advancing high-quality, person-centered care for us all as we age. http://ow.ly/6rak50IXr2Z

New York (May 2, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today honored 20 leading health professionals who joined the newest class of AGS Fellows—a select group of experts recognized for their deep commitment to the AGS and to advancing high-quality, person-centered care for us all as we age.

“Collectively, these new fellows are being honored for their active participation in the work of AGS, and for their contributions to advancing the field through scholarly activities, advocacy, teaching and excellence in patient care,” noted incoming AGS President G. Michael Harper, M.D. The fellows will be formally recognized at the 2022 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting (#AG22; May 12-14).

This year’s fellows hail from across the country and reflect the dedication to geriatrics education, clinical care, and research indicative of our Society’s commitment to quality care for us all as we age. They include: