Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION 20 September 2017 impact the government and its policies and regulations can have on medical practice and patient care. The Fly-In allowed me to hear from top federal policymakers on a wide range of issues and how those issues are affected by government. Having this understanding helps equip young physicians with the knowledge to push for change to protect our patients and the practice of medicine. It is incredible how many issues the members of Congress deal with in the course of a typical day, making it difficult for them to spend a significant amount of time on each individual topic. Meeting with legislators and their aides offers an opportunity to provide insight and be a resource for future healthcare questions. By becoming involved early, we can help provide accurate information to our government to make sure patient care drives legislation. Fortunately, those I met with had similar views on the issues and signaled they would continue to work on them. I wasn't sure what to expect coming into the Fly-In, but it was a wonderful experience. The main value is in seeing how government works and how it impacts our prac- tice and patients. I had the opportu- nity to learn about a variety of issues and make connections with my representative and senators. Mina Faharini, MD YES attendee Chicago This was my first Fly-In, and I hon- estly did not know what to expect. I found everyone I encountered—in- dividuals within our group as well as legislators—to be very welcoming. I also enjoyed the impressive speakers at the Fly-In, and I gained insight into the current dynamic healthcare environment in Washington. Our profession is highly regulat- ed by the lawmakers in Washington, the vast majority of whom have no exposure to the field of ophthalmol- ogy. By meeting with them, we can provide insight about how legisla- tion affects our daily practice, for better or worse. As a resident at the start of my career, I am impressed with the willingness of my legisla- tors to listen to the issues that we presented. Young physicians can offer a unique perspective, as well as insight into the need for further GME funding and other issues that are more relevant early on in our careers. By putting a face to issues relevant to ophthalmology, we fur- ther validate their importance and emphasize the need to act on them. I found all of our legislators' offices to be in agreement regard- ing the repeal of IPAB. As the only resident physician in the Illinois group, I was able to voice my per- sonal concern about the upcoming physician shortage and subsequent need for increased GME funding. In my residency program, I have seen firsthand how adding one additional residency spot per year has led to a significant increase in the num- ber of patients we are able to see. I found many of the legislators' aides were impressed by my story, and it helped to emphasize that even a small amount of additional funding can go a long way in addressing the physician shortage. Roman Krivochenitser, MD YES attendee Madison, Wisconsin Being involved in advocacy is crucial for our profession—especially during this time when our healthcare system is fluctuating. It is important to have a seat at the table and show that we are involved and we are listening to the proposals out there. I also get the sense that members of Congress listen and pay atten- tion to physicians and specialists because we are ultimately the front line soldiers in this discussion. It is especially important for young physicians to be involved in advoca- cy and travel to D.C. because we will be most impacted by the changes enacted. Once a law is made, it is very difficult to reverse it. Thus, we have to remain proactive rather than reactionary and know what the political climate is like nationally and locally. I expected the Fly-In to be similar to the AAO Mid-Year Forum. I greatly enjoyed the Alliance event because it was a smaller, more inti- mate group where the importance of your presence was felt. It was also nice to hear about the issues that other specialists care about. The Fly- In has a lot of value. In particular, it helps you connect better to your colleagues and to your profession— as an ophthalmologist, a specialist, and an overall physician. You realize your worth and your vested interest in these discussions. I learned that it's never too early to get involved and that we cannot be reactionary to changes in Washington. EW HHS Secretary continued from page 19 Rep. Raul Ruiz, MD Source (all): ASCRS Political commentator Tucker Carlson

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