Advocacy in Action

AAOS News

AAOS Endorses Principles on Medicare Payment Reform 
AAOS has been working with a broad coalition of other physician groups to create a set of principles for a reformed Medicare payment system. The principles focus on items such as providing a positive annual update to reflect rising practice costs; recognition for providing high-value care with a variety of payment models available; and safeguarding access to high-quality care for all populations. In the past, AAOS joined a letter to call for MACRA reforms and multiple letters asking for relief from cuts to Medicare reimbursement. AAOS continues to call on Congress for hearings and legislation to address the unstable payment system and the serious negative implications it continues to have on patient care. You can access the principles here…

AAOS Opposes H.R. 6087 to Maintain Physicians-Led, Team-Based Care

AAOS sent a letter to House leadership in opposition to H.R. 6087, the “Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act.” This legislation would inappropriately permit nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to diagnose, prescribe, treat and certify an injury and extent of disability for purposes of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. The final passage of this legislation would effectively remove physicians from the care team for these types of injuries. While over 1,000 orthopaedic surgeons took action by sending a letter to their members of Congress, the legislation still passed a floor vote. Attention will now be turned to the Senate where the bill is expected to be taken up in the coming weeks. Help by writing to your Senator urging them to vote NO on this important topic…

Healthcare Policy News

CMS Announces New National Quality Strategy 
On June 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) leaders announced a new National Quality Strategy with eight goals addressing concerns the agency identified during the recent pandemic. The goals for this new strategy include focusing on the entire care journey of individuals covered by the agency’s various programs and improving health equity metrics. Other goals are improving patient safety standards, patient engagement, increased use of data to encourage health care innovation and building workforce resilience. Further, CMS also aims to build a digital quality measurement system that is aligned across public and private payers. Listening sessions will begin this summer, and the agency will implement this strategy in coordination with stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Read the CMS blog post here…  

Annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports Published for 2022
On June 2, the Department of Treasury, joined by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration, released the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports. Each year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the programs. This year’s projections have improved compared with the 2021 reports. For example, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivors benefits, will be able to pay scheduled benefits until 2034, one year more than 2021’s projection. The Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, or Medicare Part A, which pays for services such as inpatient hospital care, will be able to pay scheduled benefits until 2028, two years later than previous projections. This year’s projections have improved compared with the 2021 reports.

This report notes that the Trustees will continue to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic and the implications on the economy and long-range projections it will have on the program.

Read the HHS press release…

Read the full Medicare Trustees Report…

Election Update
Primaries continued in several key states where physicians are running for Congress:  

• In Montana District 1, orthopaedic surgeon and AAOS Fellow Al Olszewski, MD, FAAOS is in a tight race to become the Republican nominee. Former Congressman Ryan Zinke currently holds the lead with 41.4% versus Dr. Al with 40%. Among the precincts, 83% have reported, with a final count expected by Friday. 

• In California District 3, internist Kermit Jones, MD (D) succeeded in his primary and will face off in the November election against Republican Kevin Kiley. Under California’s open primary system, the top vote-getters advance, regardless of party. 

• In Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race, the recount results are in, with Mehmet Oz, MD pulling out a victory over Dave McCormick. Dr. Oz will vie against Democrat Lt. Governor John Fetterman in the general election.

OrthoPAC currently supports both Dr. Al and Dr. Jones in their bids for Congress and will continue to closely monitor their elections.

If you would like to hear more about running for Congress as a surgeon, check out the latest episode of The Bone Beat podcast featuring Dr. Al. If there is a candidate you would like to request support for, please let us know. OrthoPAC’s contribution criteria can be found here on the member sign-in page.