Sen. Barrasso Wins Health Award, ACA Repeal Talks Continue, and More
For questions or concerns on these or other advocacy issues, contact the Office of Government Relations at dc@aaos.org.
 
Sen. Barrasso Named 2017 Dr. Nathan Davis Awards Recipient AAOS nominee, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), was selected as the 2017 Dr. Nathan Davis Awards recipient for Outstanding United States Senator. This award, presented to local, state and federal career and elected government officials, was established by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1989 and is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition for outstanding public service in the advancement of public health. This award is well-deserved and AAOS sends its sincerest congratulations for this high honor to Senator Barrasso. Click here to read more.
UPDATE: DEA Reverses Changes to Registration Renewal Process  In the last issue of Advocacy Now, we shared that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced significant changes to its registration renewal process through a notice on its website (read the Advocacy Now article online here). Since that time, the DEA reversed its decision and posted a notice that it is retaining its current policy and procedures, with one minor change, regarding registration renewals. The revised announcement states the following:

Starting January 2017, DEA will no longer send its second renewal notification by mail. Instead, an electronic reminder to renew will be sent to the email address associated with the DEA registration. Click here to read more.
UPDATE: CMS Not Penalizing Doctors for ICD-10/PQRS – MUST STILL REPORT According to a recent announcement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not penalize doctors who fail to meet the Physician Quality Reporting System’s (PQRS) requirements this year if ICD-10 code updates adversely impacted the reporting process. Per an AAOS conversation with CMS officials, EPs and groups must still report PQRS data under all circumstances. The only change is that if, after reporting, any EP or group practice fails to satisfactorily report for CY 2016 solely as a result of the impact of ICD-10 code updates, they may not be penalized for that. You can find more information online here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/ICD-10_Section.html. Click here to read more.
ACA Repeal Talks Continue Republican lawmakers have pledged their first major act will be repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and likely delay a replacement plan for a later date. However, some GOP members, including Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Bob Corker (TN), Rand Paul (KY), and Tom Cotton (AR) have suggested that there should be a detailed framework before any repeal efforts. President Barack Obama is also making a push to save the ACA during his final days in office. At this point, Republicans have no significant agreement on how to replace coverage for about 20 million people who gained insurance under the health care law.

Nonetheless, few have committed to voting against a repeal package and Republican legislators will be able to send repeal legislation to the new president’s desk in as little as a month if they can get simple majorities to support the bill. That legislation will effectively repeal the law and give Congress time to pass replacement legislation later this year, which would then provide a multi-year transition period away from the ACA as a new system is implemented.

Click here to read more.
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What We’re Reading Burgess to Lead Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Morning Consult, 1/6/17 GOP Senator: Outline Obamacare Replacement Before Repeal, The Hill, 1/6/17 Corker Concerned About Repealing Obamacare Taxes Without Replacement, Roll Call, 1/6/17 GOP’s Health Law Attack Spurs Messaging Battle, The Wall Street Journal, 1/5/17 Conservatives Ready to Support $1 Trillion Hole in the Budget, The Washington Post, 1/5/17 Hospital Stocks Rally on Republican Promises of Measured Repeal of ACA, Modern Healthcare, 1/4/17 Trump Plans Executive Actions for Obamacare Repeal, The Hill, 1/4/17 GOP Airs Obamacare Divisions in Pence Meeting, Politico, 1/4/17 A New Congress Is Sworn In, but With Many Old Faces, The New York Times, 1/3/17 GOP Senators Stress Need for ACA Replacement Sooner Rather Than Later, Morning Consult, 1/3/17
Political Graphic of the Week Click here to download infographic.
PAC Participation Leader Board by State Click here, to view the interactive version of the map below, which features each state’s PAC support through September 1, 2016.
Learn More About the Advisor’s Circle In 2016, the Orthopaedic PAC announced a new program specifically designed for group practices, called the Advisor’s Circle. If your group practice is looking to become more involved in the political advocacy arena, or for more sophisticated opportunities, the Advisor’s Circle offers just this. We have created a tiered benefits structure that offers unique activities that will exponentially increase your partners’, your practice’s, your patients’ and your own political reach. Benefits vary, from congressional fundraising retreats; to legislative fly-in assistance and in-district training and PAC checks; even a leadership role in bringing forth priority issues to the PAC Executive Committee. The Advisor’s Circle has a broad array of benefits that are completely separate from our individual donor benefits. To schedule a one on one meeting to learn more about the Advisor’s Circle and a free assessment of your group’s needs email Stacie Monroe at monroe@aaos.org.
Orthopaedic PAC Establishes Futures Capitol Club The Orthopaedic PAC Capitol Club was established in 2014 as a way for the AAOS Orthopaedic PAC to recognize those individuals who have shown a strong commitment to advocacy. The Capitol Club has grown yearly since its inception, but has largely been unattainable for residents due to monetary constraints. In an effort to help recognize those residents who have also shown a strong commitment to the PAC, the AAOS PAC Executive Committee has recently approved the Futures Capitol Club. This club is exclusively for residents and will provide them with the same benefits bestowed upon members of the Capitol Club.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Complimentary entry and drink tickets to the resident reception held at the annual meeting in 2017;
  • A ribbon signifying Future Capitol Club participation at the annual meeting (and NOLC) in 2017;
  • A group picture with the PAC luncheon keynote speaker in 2017;
  • Invitation to Capitol Club events, such as the reception at the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) and similar events throughout the year; and
  • Each individual’s name will be listed in the PAC annual report, on the PAC website and at the PAC/Advocacy booth at the annual meeting.

Click here to read more.
AAOS Orthopaedic PAC Online Contribution Center and Mobile Orthopaedic PAC is now mobile! Supporting by phone is easy: simply text AAOS to the number 41444, and follow the link, no log-in required. We encourage our supporters to share this technology with your colleagues who have yet to renew or join and to encourage signing up on a recurring basis, for just $84 a month, or $250 a quarter you can become part of our Capitol Club Program.

And don’t forget! The Orthopaedic PAC website features an online contribution center, which can accept contributions via credit card by visiting the site and using your AAOS login credentials. Credit card contributions can also be conveniently scheduled for a monthly, quarterly or yearly recurring donation. Visit www.aaos.org/pac and select Donate to the Orthopaedic PAC for more information or to contribute today.

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