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ASCRS, ASOA representatives meet with Congress members at annual fly-in
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About 50 physicians and ophthalmic administrators representing the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators met with members of Congress in Washington to discuss the need to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board and the need for regulatory relief for physicians and other care providers from several specific program requirements, according to an ASCRS press release.
The representatives met with Congress through the annual Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In, with a total of 135 physicians and practice administrators participating. According to an ASCRS representative, this year’s fly-in was the largest ever.
“I have attended the legislative fly-in for the last 2 years, and I have seen the results of our advocacy. It is a powerful feeling to know that you and your colleagues have made an impact on something that will touch so many people. You don’t have to be an expert in policymaking to get involved. As president of ASCRS, I encourage all members to take part in our grassroots efforts,” Bonnie An Henderson, MD, told Healio.com/OSN.
The participants urged members of Congress to work with CMS to provide regulatory relief from burdens associated with program requirements related to issues such as prior authorization, sunset quality program penalties, compounded drugs and narrow provider networks. Also, members asked Congress to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board while bipartisan support for the repeal is high, according to information from ASCRS.