AAO-HNS Leaders Join Alliance of Specialty Medicine Virtual Advocacy Day

On Wednesday, June 8, Academy members and staff participated in the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Virtual Advocacy Day. This full-day advocacy event featured virtual conversations with 14 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, including numerous physician legislators, providing advocates with a unique opportunity to speak directly with key policymakers focusing on health policy in the U.S. Congress.

Participants at Virtual Advocacy Day advocated on a number of healthcare legislative issues important to specialty physicians, including Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians, the need to reform the prior authorization process, patient access and utilization management, funding of Graduate Medical Education, and medical liability reform.

The Members of Congress who addressed Virtual Advocacy Day participants provided updates on the Alliance’s legislative priorities and provided insights into the potential legislative calendar for the remainder of the 117th Congress. These members also stressed the importance of physicians advocating for themselves and the patients they treat. 

The Alliance of Specialty Medicine, a nonpartisan coalition of national medical societies representing specialty physicians, engages with federal health policymakers and strengthens the voice of specialty physicians on Capitol Hill. As an advocacy-focused coalition, the Alliance promotes the development of sound health policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality specialty care.

The Academy thanks the otolaryngologist advocacy leaders who participated in this impactful event. The AAO-HNS will continue to partner with the Alliance and other coalitions to engage Congress on the federal legislative issues that matter most to the specialty.