Federal Legislative and Regulatory Activities

ASA’s Office of Governmental and Legal Affairs based in Washington, D.C. works on federal legislative and regulatory activities on behalf of ASA members. Browse the latest federal legislative and regulatory issues below. If you interested in impacting policies being made by the federal government, be sure to join the ASA Grassroots Network to make sure your voice is heard and report your key contact connections and advocacy activity.

Legislative Activity

Congress: This page serves as a one stop resource on the composition, leadership, and key committees in the 112th (2011-2012) Congress.

Health Care Reform: Find out the latest news on what’s happening in Washington and how it could affect you and your practice.

Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction:  As part of the legislation that increased the debt limit, a bipartisan bicameral joint committee on deficit reduction was created to identify at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction.  The joint committee could recommend entitlement reform in addition to spending cuts and tax increases. 

Key Issues:  Here is a summary of ASA's top legislative priorities with supporting documentation. 

Medicare Payments and Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula: Find out ASA's legislative priorities in regards to Medicare Payments and information on the SGR formula.   

Rural Pass-Through Legislation - The "Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act" would increase rural patients’ access to high quality anesthesia services provided by an anesthesiologist. 

Truth and Transparency Legislation - The "Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2011" is legislation that would decrease ambiguity caused by some health care provider-related advertising, marketing, and degree titles.  

Regulatory Activity

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs): Find out the latest updates on the formation and operation of accountable care organizations.

ASA Regulatory Comment Letters: As new regulations are proposed, ASA and its members submit letters commenting on the proposed rules.

CMS Revised Interpretive Guidelines for Hospital Conditions of Participation: In January 2011, CMS released revised interpretive guidelines to the Hospital conditions of participation. 

Drug Shortages: Anesthesiologists face an unprecedented number of drug shortages. ASA works to keep members informed of the current drug shortages and informs appropriate parties on the impact drug shortages are having on patients.

Electronic Health Records: Find out more information on the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Pain Medicine: ASA advocates for its members on issues related to pain medicine. The resources on this page are designed to inform you about federal legislative and regulatory activities that may impact the practice of pain medicine.  

Physician Quality Reporting System: The Physician Quality Reporting System's (PQRS), formerly known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, goal is to provide a financial incentive to eligible professionals to improve patient care through evidence-based measures and to prepare for future pay-for-performance programs.

Items of Interest

Advocacy Resources - The ASA Committee on Governmental Affairs has developed resources to assist members in advocating on behalf of anesthesiology.  These resources including an Advocacy Guide, Hosting a Site Visit Guide, as well as information on the Advocacy Involvement Challenge.    

Anesthesiology Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs: The ASA Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs is a four-week rotation in Washington, DC, designed to allow resident physicians to experience the political, legislative and regulatory factors that affect the delivery of patient care.

ASA Lansdale Public Policy Fellowship: This non-clinical position is designed for anesthesiologists interested in health policy issues at the federal government level. The Fellow works in an appropriate health care policy position with a member of Congress or in an executive branch office. Applications for the next Fellowship cycle are not being accepted at this time. For more information contact the ASA Washington office.

CMS Supervision Rules for Nurse Anesthetists: This important document outlines the rules governing the provision of anesthesia in different medical settings.

Legislative Conference: The 2012 ASA Legislative Conference will be held April 30 - May 2, 2011 in Washington, D.C. This page provides information on ASA's most recent Legislative Conference.   

Medicare Claims Processing Manual: An important resource for anesthesiologists regarding their Medicare patients.

Position Papers