Eyeworld

UPDATE 11 ASCRS•ASOA member advocates lobby for key legislative priorities on Capitol Hill of speakers, including FDA Dep- uty Commissioner Anna Abram; Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Rand Paul, MD (R-KY); House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL); 2020 presidential candidate Rep. John Delaney (D-MD); House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA); Charlie Cook, political analyst and editor/publish- er of the Cook Political Report; and former Congressman Charles Dent. The annual two-day Fly-In has become increasingly popular and provides an excellent opportunity to enhance members' understanding of public policy issues affecting oph- thalmology and other specialties, as well as enable them to participate di- rectly in the political process. Mem- bers who are interested in attending next year or getting more involved in other grassroots advocacy ef- forts should contact Tami O'Brien, manager of PAC and grassroots, at tobrien@ascrs.org or 703-591-2220. See the September issue of EyeWorld for more coverage of the 2018 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In. EW legislators and their aides, Fly-In attendees outlined these issues and shared personal anecdotes to illus- trate how healthcare policy affects their own practice and patients. Attendees of the Fly-In were treated to an impressive lineup Advisory Commission's recommen- dation to replace the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System with a value-based program not relevant to specialists; and address various barri- ers to specialty care, including prior authorization. During meetings with I n mid-July, ASCRS ophthal- mologists and ASOA practice administrators representing 22 states attended the 2018 Alli- ance of Specialty Medicine Leg- islative Fly-In. The annual advocacy conference brings together the 15 medical specialty groups that make up the Alliance to Washington, D.C. to lobby for key policy priorities. Attendees meet with their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill to outline important issues and ask them to take action. This year's ASCRS•ASOA Fly-In included five ASCRS residents and fellows who attended via the third annual ASCRS Young Eye Surgeons (YES) Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Program, de- signed to enhance younger mem- bers' understanding of public policy issues affecting ophthalmology and provide networking opportunities with established ASCRS members, including leadership. Tom Samu- elson, MD, ASCRS president, and Karen Bachman, ASOA president, were among the attendees. Topping the list of this year's legislative priorities were urging Congress to maintain a viable fee- for-service option in Medicare Part B; reject the Medicare Payment Sen. Rand Paul, MD (R-KY), addresses attendees at the 2018 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In. From left: ASCRS YES members Brian Lee, MD, and Lance Lyons, MD, meet with Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee chairman, during the 2018 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In. by Tami O'Brien ASCRS Manager of PAC and Grassroots ASCRS President Tom Samuelson, MD, moderates a program at the 2018 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In. From left: ASOA Vice President Deborah Davis, Rep. Tom Souzzi (D-NY), and ASCRS Government Relations Committee member Ken Rosenthal, MD

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