Advocacy in Action

AAOS News

AAOS Seeking Volunteers for Open Advocacy Council Committee Positions 
Several positions under the AAOS Advocacy Council are open for application through Aug. 1 (see list below). Members who have an interest in contributing to the mission and vision of AAOS are encouraged to visit www.aaos.org/cap to view and apply (member username and password required).

• Coding, Coverage and Reimbursement Committee – Resident and Candidate Member position
• Health Care Systems Committee – Section Leader position – Quality Programs
• Health Care Systems Committee – Resident and Candidate Member position
• Medical Liability Committee – Chair position
• Medical Liability Committee – Member position

Volunteers should keep in mind that the Committee Appointment Program is designed so interested members can view only positions for which their membership category is eligible to apply.  Learn more and apply…

AAOS Members Advocate for Orthopaedic Priorities on Capitol Hill 
On June 6, several AAOS members visited Washington, D.C. to participate in the Third Annual House Call on the Mall event hosted by Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX). Together they engaged with more than 15 members of Congress and their staff throughout the day to promote AAOS-endorsed policies on Capitol Hill, including legislation to reform the Medicare payment system, reform prior authorization processes, and lift the ban on physician-owned hospitals, among other issues. AAOS is grateful for its members’ advocacy on behalf of the orthopaedic community and looks forward to continuing these important healthcare policy conversations which are critical to advancing AAOS’ priorities in Congress. Get involved in Advocacy…

AAOS Cautions Against Regulatory Limitations on Ethylene Oxide Sterilization 
Last week, the AAOS submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to a proposal it released regarding limits on the emissions of ethylene oxide. While AAOS supports the EPA’s initiative to mitigate the unintended consequences of sterilizing medical devices with ethylene oxide, it expressed concern with the prospect of limiting its use without sufficiently available alternatives and possible delays in the completion of sterilization cycles and turnover of surgical devices. AAOS recommended that a risk-based approach to sterilization be used to balance the limits on ethylene oxide use against the presently available alternatives, its benefits, and its drawbacks for various orthopaedic device classes, as well as potential limits on the ready supply of devices for patients in need. Read the letter here…

Healthcare Policy News

Biden Signs Debt Deal, Avoids Impacting Medicare & Medicaid Reimbursements
Last week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden reached a bipartisan agreement to avoid a default on the nation’s debt that would have destabilized funding for Medicare and Medicaid and threatened reimbursements for physicians. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 suspends the debt ceiling through 2025 while reducing discretionary spending for this year and placing caps on future spending. Throughout the negotiations, rumors swirled about the role Medicare and Medicaid might play in a final agreement. AAOS urged lawmakers to avoid using Medicare and the Physician Fee Schedule as a means of reducing the deficit and is pleased that physician payments were not impacted by the deal. With the threat of default now behind us, AAOS will continue to urge lawmakers to avoid future payment uncertainty by passing an annual physician payment update tied to inflation. Read more about the agreement…

First-Ever Loan Repayment Program Now Offered for Pediatric Specialists
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for its first-ever Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program now through July 20. Eligible health professionals (pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or child and adolescent behavioral health care) who agree to provide three years of full-time service at an approved facility at an underserved area, or participate at an accredited eligible residency or fellowship, can receive up to $100,000 of loan repayment assistance. Learn more and apply…

Charity Match Being Offered During 2023 Orthopaedic Advocacy Week

The Orthopaedic PAC will once again offer a Charity Match benefit as part of the 2023 Orthopaedic Advocacy Week. Contributions  made to OrthoPAC from July 24-28 will be matched with a donation to a registered 501c3 of choice. Additionally, the Charity Match benefit is open to max-out OrthoPAC donors who contribute $5,000 or more all year long. Thus far in 2023, max-out donors have supported  the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), J. Robert Gladden Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Research and Education Fund, Loloma Foundation, Salemi Collegium Keck Medical School, Raising Hope, and the American Cancer Society.  Learn more about 2023 Orthopaedic Advocacy Week…

• Here’s What’s in the Debt Ceiling Deal (NYT, 5/29)
• Doctors’ passion to reshape medicine is how AMA policy gets made (AMA, 6/5)
• Physician compensation is rising but not keeping pace with inflation, MGMA survey finds (Fierce Healthcare, 6/6)