Published: April 4, 2018

Legislative highlights from the AAO-HNS/F 2018 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting

This year’s agenda for the Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting (March 9-12) featured many advocacy-related speakers and topics.

This year’s agenda for the Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting (March 9-12) featured many advocacy-related speakers and topics. A highlight of the weekend included a “Point/Counter-Point” session with congressional staff from the offices of U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA). Via a “friendly” Q&A format, perspectives from both political parties were presented on key issues being considered by lawmakers. In addition, the meeting’s two keynote addresses had a legislative focus. Julius W. Hobson, Jr., provided an overview of the political landscape while U.S. Representative Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) offered an insider’s look at Capitol Hill and the importance of physician advocacy.

AAO-HNS advocacy staff were on hand to brief attendees on the Academy’s latest legislative “wins,” including repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board and preservation of Medicare physician payments. In addition, attendees were briefed on the Academy’s current “talking points” to be used in discussions with policymakers. These legislative priorities were highlighted by AAO-HNS physician leadership during Capitol Hill meetings with the offices of the U.S. Speaker of
the House, U.S. House Majority Leader, U.S. House Minority Leader, and U.S. Senate Minority Leader, as well as key healthcare committees in the U.S. House and Senate.

Many opportunities were available for members to further engage in the Academy’s advocacy programs. Thanks to the generosity of our members, ENT PAC—the AAO-HNS political action committee—raised over $17,000 during the weekend event. In addition, 15 attendees volunteered to join the Academy’s State Tracker team, while many others signed up for the AAO-HNS Advocacy Network and PROJECT 535.

Unable to attend the spring meeting, but interested in being an advocate for the specialty? Contact govtaffairs@entnet.org for more details. The time commitment is minimal, but the impact is immense!

More from April 2018 – Vol. 37, No. 3
SA-ENT-Society
Annual Meeting International Guests of Honor Series: Ear, Nose and Throat Society of South Africa
As President of the AAO-HNS/F, it is my great honor and privilege to welcome the delegation from the Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Society of South Africa to the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Atlanta, GA, in October.
Atlanta_sky
The AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience is coming!
Mark your calendars now for the preeminent global meeting devoted to sharing new advances in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, October 7-10, 2018, in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Registration opens next month in May.
new_logo
We are one: Otolaryngology united for ENT patient care
As the Academy and Foundation move forward as contemporary organizations under the guidance of our updated Strategic Plan and vision for the future, it is only fitting that we update our theme and professional logo.
Getty Images 1180782939 (1)
Advocacy win: Anthem rescinds Modifier 25 policy
In the fall of 2017, Anthem announced its plan to reimburse Evaluation and Management (E/M) services at a 50 percent rate when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service (appended with the 25 modifier) and surgery/diagnostic procedural service were performed on the same day.
Am18 01
Community service activity at the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience—Making global impacts a reality
With an emphasis on improving the quality of life of people, communities, and healthcare facilities and hospitals in low-resource areas around the globe, the AAO-HNSF is proud to be partnering with MedShare, a 501c(3) humanitarian aid organization.
4599
Call for action: Setting the pace for humanitarian efforts
It was the first time they met, but the room was filled with mutual admiration and respect as Eugene N. Myers, MD, and Vlora Çitaku, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, sat down together to discuss Dr. Myers’ efforts to supply medical equipment to the ENT Head and Neck Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo in Pristina, the capital city.
Screening_Team
Humanitarian service: Sustainable hearing screening pilot in Kenya
Asitha Jayawardena, MD, MPH, and Charissa N. Kahue, MD, traveled to Malindi, Kenya, in October 2017 with the support of the Academy Humanitarian Travel Grant with Jim Netterville, MD, and his More than Medicine annual head and neck mission trip based out of the Tawfiq Muslim Hospital.
Getty Images 1007900266
Academy Advantage Premium Partner: The Doctors Company | Doctors examine injury risks with malpractice closed claims
Taking a close look at research into real-life malpractice claims and incorporating some of the findings into their practices is one way physicians are reducing risks of adverse events.
Aao Hns
Member resource: AAO-HNS releases two new Position Statements
Position Statements are used to designate a statement, policy, or declaration of the AAO-HNS/F on a particular topic or set of topics. Two new Position Statements recently were approved for use in state and federal advocacy efforts, or to clarify the AAO-HNS/F approval or disapproval of certain practices in medicine.
Yaremchuk
Practice profile: Raise your hand
Kathleen L. Yaremchuk, MD, MSA, is the Chair of the Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, a personal accomplishment for her. She talked with Bulletin staff regarding gender disparity in opportunities for leadership roles across the country and academic settings.
Abhons
ABOto announces new executive director
The Board of Directors of the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) is pleased to announce that Brian Nussenbaum, MD, has assumed the role of Executive Director effective January 1, 2018.
Bog
Board of Governors: “I wish somebody would have told me … someday, these will be the good old days”
I might be the first Board of Governors (BOG) Executive Committee member to quote a rap artist in a Bulletin post, but these lyrics from the Macklemore/Kesha song capture my thoughts perfectly. The song is a nostalgic recollection of the artists’ memories and a wish that someone could have reminded them to enjoy “the magic of the good old days” as it was happening.
Denneny
“We are one”
This year, the Academy has selected “We Are One” as our Annual Meeting & OTO Experience theme and new organizational brand. This is who we are and what we represent across all areas of our membership.
Setzen
Leadership, mentorship, and resilience
We are entering another election cycle at AAO-HNS, and it is gratifying and reassuring to reflect on the well-qualified slate of candidates for leadership positions in our Academy.