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Outgoing AAO president urges increased awareness, advocacy among ophthalmologists
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NEW ORLEANS — Ophthalmologists have played a crucial role in advocating for patients and physicians in the past few years, but they must become even more involved, according to the outgoing president of American Academy of Ophthalmology.
In his address at the opening session at the Academy's annual meeting, outgoing president C.P. Wilkinson, MD, praised recent advocacy accomplishments at the federal level, including ophthalmologists' involvement in postponing the proposed 5% Medicare cut this year and obtaining greater patient access to ASCs.
"Over the last 5 years, our team has averted many disastrous cuts," Dr. Wilkinson said.
"Now we face another crisis, as [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] introduced a 2008 schedule that includes a 10% reduction in physicians' fees," he said. "This will go into effect on Jan. 1 unless Congress acts to prevent it."
Dr. Wilkinson urged physicians to contact representatives and to have patients contact representatives in Washington to halt this cut.
"It is critical for our advocacy to be successful," Dr. Wilkinson said. "We must become more involved."