Published: May 29, 2019

Advocacy highlights from the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting

Following the success of the third annual State OTO Society Roundtable, the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, held April 26-28 in Alexandria, VA, included several advocacy-related sessions in which attendees learned about the importance of making their voices heard at the state and federal levels.

Following the success of the third annual State OTO Society Roundtable, the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, held April 26-28 in Alexandria, VA, included several advocacy-related sessions in which attendees learned about the importance of making their voices heard at the state and federal levels.

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First, the BOG Legislative Affairs Committee served as a platform for attendees to receive updates on the Academy’s various advocacy, political, and grassroots-related programs, including an overview of 2019 state and federal legislative priorities and a demonstration of the Academy’s new “action alert” software, which allows members to engage with federal lawmakers with just one click. Additionally, U.S. Representative Andy Harris, MD (R-MD), spoke to attendees about the current political landscape and reasons why physicians need to get involved and stay engaged in the political debate.

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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 Academy political action committee—raised nearly $18,000. In addition, nine new attendees volunteered to join the Academy’s State Tracker team, increasing the program to 156 volunteers, while 23 others signed up for PROJECT 535, leading to 62 percent coverage of Congress.

Following the weekend sessions, AAO-HNS physician leaders traveled to Capitol Hill on Monday, April 29, to discuss several “hot topics” in healthcare and issues important to the specialty, including:

  • Comprehensive Tobacco Control Legislation
  • Surprise billing
  • Prior authorization
  • Audiology “Direct Access” legislation

Members met with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, including the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Additionally, AAO-HNS members had productive conversations with staff from the key House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over health-related issues: The House Ways and Means Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee; Senate Committee Finance, and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

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 June 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 5
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Making connections through coalitions
One of the most effective ways the Academy advocates on behalf of the specialty is through ongoing participation in a number of coalitions. The collective advocacy from organizations on shared issues further strengthens the Academy’s ability to advance federal and state legislative policy and regulatory priorities.
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What I-GO is all about
As an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, you know all too well the challenges faced in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Increased liability premiums, a challenging reimbursement environment, and burdensome government regulations continue to threaten the viability of your practice and can hinder your ability to provide patients with the highest quality care.
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ENT PAC launches “ResidenTen” program for resident physicians
Did you know that ENT PAC, the Academy’s nonpartisan, issue-driven, political action committee, recently launched a new campaign for AAO-HNS physician residents? The “ResidenTen” initative aims to underscore the importance of the Academy’s political programs with the next generation of Academy members.
Increased payer coverage
Advocacy staff constantly monitors improvements and updates to private payer policy decisions. We are happy to announce the following increases in coverage:
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Tackling private payer denials
The Academy diligently advocates for full and appropriate reimbursement for procedures performed by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and the patients they treat. Since last June’s annual Advocacy issue of the Bulletin, the Health Policy Advocacy Team tackled detrimental national policies and local payer denials and gaps in coverage.
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Get to know New Orleans
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Our town: The Big Easy
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10 Tips for converging with the specialty’s leading experts at #OTOMTG19
New Orleans serves as the intersection where there’s no wrong turn, from groundbreaking education sessions to networking events with the global ENT community to the OTO Experience. While you’re absorbing the latest science and new clinical approaches, take advantage of the many events available to expand your professional network and tap the minds of leaders.
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Trauma Symposium: On eve of Annual Meeting
The AAO-HNS Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists’ Trauma Symposium will present “Modern Management of H&N Trauma: Nonvascularized Grafts and Trauma Care in the Developing World” at 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 14, at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, LA.
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Preconference Workshops
This one-day course addresses current advances in minimally invasive salivary gland surgery. The morning features didactic lectures by leaders in this cutting-edge field.
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Annual Meeting Program Spotlight: How to thrive in otolaryngology practice
Learn about alternatives and opportunities to enhance your ability to participate in evolving payment models through advanced practice structure and networking, adopting state-of-the-art office-based diagnostic and therapeutic technology, and validating treatment outcomes.
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#OTOMTG19 honorary guest lecturers
Presented in order of appearance.
P. Daniel Ward, MD.
PRACTICE PROFILE: Face-to-face with patients
Prior to starting his private practice, Dr. Ward was a full-time faculty member at the University of Utah. This was the starting point of his career after completing his fellowship and residency at the University of Michigan.
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Proposed fiscal year 2020 (FY20) combined budget
The Executive Committees (ECs) of the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors (BODs) were presented with the Financial and Investment Subcommittee (FISC) proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 (FY20), and endorsed it for approval by the BODs. During their April meeting, the BODs reviewed and conditionally approved the FY20 budget that is presented here to the membership.
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American Neurotology Society Report: ANS on the move
Barry Hirsch, MD, President of the American Neurotology Society (ANS), Craig A. Buchman, MD, Education Director, and Howard W. Francis, MD, Education Director-Elect, along with the ANS Scientific Program Committee, assembled a lively, up-to-the-minute program at this year’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).
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International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-Elect election
The AAO-HNS call for nominees for Chair-Elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB) was highly successful and resulted in the submission of several highly qualified candidates for the position. The IAB Executive Committee selected Sheng-Po Hao, MD, Taipei, Taiwan, and Karl Hoermann, MD, Mannheim, Germany, as the candidates for Chair-Elect. The election will be held at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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NIH names AAO-HNS Member, Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, director of the NIDCD
Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, has been selected to lead the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as its new director. Dr. Tucci is currently the professor of surgery and director of the cochlear implant program in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University in Durham, NC.
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Board of Governors: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
I am often asked why I love being a member of the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG is a grassroots network within the Academy that is composed of local, state, regional, and specialty societies from around the United States.
James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO
Healthcare’s crushing storm
Meaningful healthcare reform at the federal level may be on the way. After treading water while the Affordable Care Act has been debated, public intolerance has forced both political parties to address a worsening situation.
Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President
“I am an otolaryngologist”
On April 27, 2019, I had the great privilege of presiding over the annual Specialty Unity Summit convened by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and comprised of all the major organizations in our field. Physician and administrative leaders from an otolaryngology alphabet soup were in attendance.