Eyeworld

SUMMER 2026 | EYEWORLD | 19 Contact Hewitt: suehewitt111@gmail.com also been encouraging work where diagnostics are moving into the home, which opens up op- portunities for patients who can't make it to the clinic. Finally, she noted work in the pediatric population. This year's invited speaker in the Govern- ment Relations symposium was Ron Brownstein. Mr. Brownstein is a Senior Political Analyst for CNN, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist, and for- mer Senior Editor for The Atlantic. The level of engagement of the public in politics is at an all-time peak. "Americans are invested in the choices we face," he said. How- ever, Americans are also deeply polarized in the choices we face. Washington is embroiled in policy debates but also on fundamental ques- tions that we don't have a lot of muscle memory on debating, he said. At the state level, red and blue states are hurtling in opposite directions on issues. As a country, we're closely divided but also deeply divided, Mr. Brownstein said. You have a volatile compound. The stakes are higher and more unrelenting, and this shapes the ways poli- tics evolve on a lot of issues. Voters are treating elections more like parliamentary contests, he said. The key issue isn't merits; it's which party you want to see in control of Congress. "We've reached a point where the color on the front of the jersey in the elections matters more than the name on the back of the jersey." Topics like Medicare reform and what's going on at the FDA were also front and center at the SightLine at ASCRS meeting, which took place on April 9 before the ASCRS Annual Meet- ing. The future of Medicare under $38 trillion in debt was one of the topics brought to the session room with Mark Cribben, JD, Director of ASCRS Government Relations, moderating, and Amy Zhou, Senior Policy Advisor for Congress- woman Kim Schrier, MD (a pediatrician), and Austin Welter, Legislative Director to Congress- woman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (an ophthalmologist), serving as panel experts. With both panelists involved in health policy and formulation, Mr. Cribben first asked about the top issues regarding the healthcare system and Medicare for their offices. Ms. Zhou said Congresswoman Schrier is among six other democratic physicians who formed the first-ever democratic doctors caucus, which is working with GOP physician colleagues to push through several priorities, including Medicare reimbursement, prior authorization, oversight for Medicare Advantage plans, and enforcement of the No Surprises Act. Importantly, Ms. Zhou said there is a lot of bipartisan discussion taking place on these fronts. "Just know there is a lot of really great work, and there is a lot more we agree on than what's on CNN or any of the news," she said. Mr. Welter echoed these sentiments of bi- partisanship and the important work being done behind the scenes that doesn't get talked about. Read more coverage from all of these sessions on the EyeWorld Onsite website, www.EyeWorld Onsite.org). Interested in helping with our advocacy ef- forts? There are two great ways to join us. ASCRS participates in the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In every July in Washington, D.C. The Fly-In gives members the chance to meet with congressional offices and advocate for our priorities. Your presence strengthens our credibility on Capitol Hill and ensures lawmakers hear directly from practic- ing surgeons. The 2026 Fly-In is July 20–July 22, at the Royal Sonesta Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. Space is limited. Please reach out to ASCRS Director of Government Relations Mark Cribben, JD (mcribben@ascrs.org), if you are interested. ASCRS will cover registration and accommodation expenses, as well as up to $1,000 in travel expenses. You can also help us support candidates for federal office who support our issues by donat- ing to the ASCRS political action committee, eyePAC. Your contributions to eyePAC directly fuel our fight to protect cataract surgery and preserve your ability to deliver high-quality care. While your ASCRS membership dues fund elements of ASCRS Government Relations advocacy efforts, only your personal donation made directly to eyePAC can be used to help candidates to the U.S. Congress who support the issues important to our profession. Have a direct impact on protecting your profession to- day by donating to eyePAC. Every contribution makes a difference! continued from page 16

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