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New AAO president: Advocacy crucial to face escalating issues in eye care
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SAN FRANCISCO — As health care reform, scope of practice legislation and other regulatory burdens loom on the horizon, advocacy is now more important than ever, the president-elect of the American Academy of Ophthalmology said here.
 Randolph L. Johnston |
Speaking at the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Pan-American Academy of Ophthalmology, Academy President-elect Randolph L. Johnston, MD, explained that the best way to tackle these issues is to join the Academy and get involved.
"Eighty-seven percent of our members are aware of the surgical scope fund, but only 10% contributed," Dr. Johnston said. "Despite this the fund helped states defeat nine out of nine surgical scope bills this year."
"Imagine what we can do with more members and more dollars," he said.
Dr. Johnston urged ophthalmologists who are not members of the Academy to join and to read and respond to the organization's e-mails and member alerts, which include embedded links to send messages to Congress. He also challenged new members to attend more meetings to learn from experienced advocates.
"Get to know your state legislators," he said. "State legislators will eventually become federal legislators."