Eyeworld

16 | EYEWORLD | WINTER 2025 ASCRS NEWS delivered inappropriately, 2) have existing cov- erage criteria, and 3) may involve prior reports of fraud, waste, and abuse. 2026 engagement These and other issues are sure to come up in 2026. The ASCRS Government Relations Com- mittee and ASCRS Government Relations staff will remain vigilant in monitoring and respond- ing to policy developments. ASCRS member advocacy will be critical. The ASCRS Annual Meeting, taking place in Washington, D.C., in April, is a great opportunity to hear about the healthcare issues dominating discussions in our nation's capital and to talk with legislators and regulators about the unique challenges faced by ophthalmology and anterior segment surgeons. The Alliance of Specialty Medicine Annual Fly- In in July is also a great way to get involved in advocating for our patients and our profession. Contact me at suehewitt111@gmail.com or ASCRS Director of Government Relations Mark Cribben at mcribben@ascrs.org if you are inter- ested in getting involved with the Government Relations Committee. Support eyePAC You can also help with these efforts by support- ing eyePAC, the first ophthalmology-focused political action committee. Your contribution strengthens our advocacy efforts, helps us build relationships with key congressional health committee members, and enables us to support candidates who champion your priorities. Your support of eyePAC directly fuels our fight to pro- tect cataract surgery and preserve your ability to deliver high-quality care. In 2025, ASCRS members contributed more than $118,000 to eyePAC. As we enter the important election year of 2026, eyePAC needs the resources to get our message to Congress. The more funds we have, the more we can help current legislators who support our issues and support physicians and physician-friendly candidates running for the first time. Editors' note: For an extended version of this arti- cle, including information on ASCRS Government Relations efforts in broader healthcare policy and scope of practice, go to www.EyeWorld.org. payment rate of $1,371. CMS proposes a 2% decrease in eye surgical procedure payments. Same-day bilateral cataract surgery ASCRS continues to promote its bundled payment model for same-day bilateral cataract surgery, engaging with federal regulators at CMMI and CMS to eliminate the current 50% reimbursement reduction for the second eye. Discussions continue as we work toward policies that will allow physicians to bill in traditional Medicare. Student loan reform ASCRS joined other societies opposing a pro- vision in the House reconciliation bill capping federal student loans. The bill language caps federal student loans at $50,000 for undergrad- uate programs, $100,000 for graduate stu- dent programs, and $150,000 for professional programs. After passing in the House, ASCRS joined 50 healthcare organizations, representing medical students, residents, practicing physi- cians, and medical schools, urging the Senate to protect financial aid programs that improve ac- cess to medical education by changing proposals within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by the House. ASCRS, along with 37 physician organi- zations, sent a letter to the House and Senate sponsors of the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act (S. 1380/ H.R. 4681), expressing strong support for the legislation, which would establish a new loan repayment program to incentivize specialty physicians to practice in rural communities. Prior authorization ASCRS and the Surgical Coalition, representing physicians involved in the delivery of surgical care to Medicare beneficiaries, sent a letter to CMS Administrator Mehmet C. Oz, MD, MBA, expressing deep concerns with the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model expand- ing prior authorization in the Medicare Fee for Service program. The current model will run for 6 years starting in January 2026. The program will run in six states and will focus on services that 1) may pose patient safety concerns if Contact Hewitt: suehewitt111@gmail.com continued from page 15

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