Advocacy Corner

Carter L. Alleman, J.D.

DO Day on Capitol Hill

ACOS member participation in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) D.O. Day on Capitol Hill, showed the importance of the surgeon advocate to the AOA and members of Congress. ACOS President, Dawn Targtaglione, D.O., FACOS and ACOS President-Elect, Scott Blickensderfer, D.O., FACOS attended along with Ray Morrison, D.O., FACOS, Robert Rappel, D.O., J.D., FACOS, and past-presidents Richard Kimmel, D.O., FACOS and James Johnson, D.O., FACOS. They were joined by members of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO) as they attended the AOA Health Policy Forum. There, members actively engaged the AOA’s panelists about how surgeons are supposed to operate in a health care system that is designed towards primary care. Other concerns were raised about the insurance industry and how payments for certain procedures do not accurately reflect the true cost of the procedure and how that impacts the perception of the surgeon. As the old saying goes, “If you show up, they have to listen.”

Following the forum, the ACOS Government Affairs Committee met to discuss and approve the ACOS Advocacy Handbook, which will be made available in hard copy at the 2016 Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACA) in Phoenix. An electronic version will be available over the summer. The Committee also discussed the importance of social media in the College’s advocacy efforts. A dedicated Twitter feed will be available to follow shortly. The Committee continued its discussions on how to best work with the AOA to shape policy and have the AOA focus attention on matters that impact surgeons such as the third party rating sites, GME residencies, and reimbursement.

The following day, members met with congressional representatives and their respective staff. Many were able to discuss issues with the healthcare system and how Congressional decisions are impacting their profession. ACOS members also attended meetings with medical students who were taking part in D.O. Day.

The key takeaway from D.O. Day on Capitol Hill 2016 is the level of participation by the ACOS. When the breakout briefing occurred for the D.O.s, the medical students attended a separate one, along with the AOAO members. Over 15% of the D.O.s in attendance were surgeons. Mark your calendars now, D.O. Day on Capitol Hill, scheduled for September 2017.

I would like to thank the members who took time out of their busy schedules and came to Washington, D.C. to participate this year. I look forward to 2017, as the ACOS continues to increase its advocacy efforts and its voice in the healthcare policy arena.