Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION September 2017 19 companies to get the prescriptions approved. The expense on both sides is staggering, and the time and effort necessary to get prescriptions approved is mind-boggling. In the future, if I see irrational policies or issues that would be of interest to Congress, I would not hesitate to contact my legislators and their aides. After every Fly- In, I return to my practice feeling empowered. By communicating my concerns, I can help solve problems that affect ophthalmologists na- tionwide so that we can continue to preserve and restore sight—just as we were trained to do. Hayley Boling, MBA ASOA Board of Directors ASCRS Government Relations Committee Elkhart, Indiana It is important for practice admin- istrators to meet with members of Congress for several reasons. We need to have a seat at the table, since we often take on the respon- sibility of implementing regula- tions. Making sure our voices are heard allows us to be a "face" for James Hirschfeld, MD (with Rep. Frank LoBiondo) Mountain Lakes, New Jersey Ophthalmologists need to speak up and make our voices heard in Wash- ington. If cuts to reimbursements, nonsensical regulatory directives, and irrational insurance decisions make medical practice difficult, we need to explain our plight to our senators and representatives. As sub- specialists with microsurgical proce- dures, we can describe the training, expertise, and investment that is necessary to practice ophthalmology and operate an efficient office. During the interactions on Capitol Hill, we were encouraged to fully explain our concerns and the ways in which the legislators could be helpful. They ultimately want to improve the delivery of healthcare, and our insights help them further this goal. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) was astonished to hear about the chal- lenges of prescribing certain medica- tions and the sophisticated infra- structure that has been developed by the insurance and pharmaceutical of whom were open to eliminating IPAB. Regulatory relief, compound- ing issues, and direction of the FDA were also discussed with staff. Most were attentive when we and our administrators described the loss of time and money spent not actually interacting with or caring for our pa- tients. My area of expertise involved the compounding issues and how the needs of patients should be kept foremost in the minds of legislators and the executive branch. Kiper Nelson, MD Hattiesburg, Mississippi Advocacy with our members of Congress is critical, as rules and regulations touch every aspect of our practice. I have found our represen- tation to be genuinely interested in how policy affects our practice and how they can help us in our mission to care for patients. I was encouraged by the re- sponse of our congressman, and the meeting with Sen. Thad Cochran's (R-MS) staff was also encouraging. As I shared with them the impact that FDA compounding rules is hav- ing on patient care, the legislative aides asked incisive questions, and I could tell that they were seeing the issue from a different perspective. Their reaction was confirmed after I returned home and the senator requested a summary letter on the issue to use in his discussions with the FDA. D.C. can be a little intimidating for me as a small town doctor, but the ASCRS team did a great job of preparing us and facilitating the discussion with our representatives. The value of the Fly-In is in the con- nections: connecting the issues with people in the minds of Congress, connecting the policy with the real effects on our lives, and connecting constituents and their concerns with elected representatives. legislation and a resource when our representatives want to learn more about the impact it has on a practice and its patients. Staying engaged in the process allows us to educate our- selves on and better prepare for the legislative changes and requirements that are coming. This was my fourth Fly-In, and I've seen some very positive changes as a result of these visits (i.e., SGR repeal). However, many of the issues we present to our members must continue to be discussed throughout the year. The best thing I do follow- ing the Fly-In, which has positively affected my practice, is to be bipar- tisan and bicameral when inviting members of Congress to our office. As a result of this approach, I've had the opportunity to host a diverse lineup of legislators over the years. Not only have these relationships proven to be positive at the admin- istrative level, but they allow my amazing team of employees to see our practice actively participate in the regulatory process that impacts us on a daily basis. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) has met with me personally each year I've attended the Fly-In and has been incredibly supportive of our desire to repeal IPAB and to help reduce the regulatory burden we face in private practice today. She has offered to cosponsor initiatives, write letters, and put necessary pressure on agencies that need addi- tional oversight. She has visited our practice and has been very receptive to the real world examples we have shared with her over the years. Steve Tucker, MD YES attendee Atlanta As a resident physician, it can be easy to overlook how big of an continued on page 20 ASCRS residents and fellows with Sen. Rand Paul, MD

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