Eyeworld

18 | EYEWORLD | SUMMER 2025 ASCRS NEWS GOVERNMENT RETIONS UPDATE by Susanne Hewitt, MD ASCRS Government Relations Committee Chair Contact Hewitt: suehewitt111@gmail.com system, the importance of advocacy, and how physicians can advocate for themselves and their patients. A highlight of this year's advocacy program- ming was the eyePAC VIP Lunch to recognize the Society's top political advocates and sup- porters. The exclusive, invitation-only event brought together leading eyePAC donors, ASCRS leadership, and Government Relations staff for a private luncheon focused on advanc- ing the Society's advocacy mission. Dr. Flanary attended and took questions from the audience. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth, attended the Government Relations ses- sion, and joined us for lunch. We look forward to seeing you next year for the ASCRS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In Each year, ASCRS participates in the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In. The Fly- In is organized by the Alliance to bring the 16 member medical specialty societies to Washing- ton, D.C., to learn about policy issues affecting the medical specialty community and to meet directly with their representatives and senators to lobby for our policy initiatives. This year's Fly-In will take place July 14–16. When members of the individual societies travel to Washington, they are able to demon- strate to lawmakers in person that the policies they make have a direct impact on physicians and patients in their districts and states. Partic- ipation from ASCRS members in this event has continued to grow, and we encourage you to join us. Personal stories and experiences in practice are powerful motivators for legislative action. The Fly-In enhances members' understanding of public policy issues affecting ophthalmology, allows them to meet with legislators and their health policy staff, and provides networking opportunities with other ASCRS members, in- cluding Society leadership. Attendees hear from leaders in Congress, administration officials, and other subject matter experts before visiting with their own legislators on Capitol Hill. Advocacy in action ASCRS Government Relations at the 2025 Annual Meeting At the 2025 ASCRS Annual Meeting, the focus extended beyond the operating room and into the halls of government. With healthcare policy continuing to shape the delivery of ophthalmic care, ASCRS highlighted its Government Rela- tions and political action committee (eyePAC) efforts throughout the meeting, emphasizing the importance of member engagement in advocacy. The Annual Meeting also marked the tran- sition for the Government Relations Committee Chair. As a member of ASCRS for more than 20 years, I'm excited to take on this new role. I joined the Government Relations Committee in 2018, and I was interested in how the Medicare reimbursement process works and how to make that better for patients and physicians. I look forward to working with you to advance ASCRS legislative and regulatory priorities. I'd also like to acknowledge Parag Parekh, MD, who has served as ASCRS Government Relations Committee Chair since 2019. He will continue to serve as Immediate Past Chair. He started on the ASCRS Government Relations Committee in 2008 and has made many import- ant contributions to advocacy efforts at ASCRS. At the ASCRS Government Relations booth in the ASCRS Tap Room on the Exhibit Hall floor, ASCRS members had a chance to meet the Government Relations staff as well as members of the ASCRS Government Relations Commit- tee. Members learned how ASCRS lobbies on their behalf with Congress and the administra- tion and how they can get involved to support these efforts. ASCRS used the Annual Meeting platform to reinforce the message that advocacy is a vital part of protecting and advancing the profession. With regulatory and legislative pres- sures mounting, the Society urged all members to participate in its advocacy initiatives—wheth- er by donating to eyePAC, responding to calls for action, or meeting with lawmakers during congressional recesses. The ASCRS Government Relations speaker at the Annual Meeting was William Flanary, MD (aka Dr. Glaucomflecken), who spoke on the ASCRS Main Stage. Dr. Flanary spoke about the challenges facing the American healthcare

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