ASA Physician Leaders Spend Day on Capitol Hill

On Monday, February 4, members of the ASA leadership visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to meet with senior Congressional staff and lawmakers to discuss the outlook for the new Congress and key ASA issues.

The visit to Washington, D.C., called the “ASA Day in Washington,” included ASA President Linda J. Mason, M.D., FASA, President Elect Mary Dale Peterson, M.D., FASA, First Vice President Beverly Philip, M.D. FACA, FASA, Immediate Past President James D. Grant, M.D., M.B.A., FASA, and Vice President for Professional Affairs Jeff Mueller, M.D., FASA, as well as members of the ASA Advocacy Division staff.

Throughout the day-long meetings, members of the ASA Executive Committee met with lawmakers and staff from various key Committees and House and Senate leadership staff to discuss the latest legislation and priorities for the new Congress, while also providing the legislative staff insight into ASA’s legislative priorities and a first-hand look at how legislation impacts patient safety and the delivery of care. Discussions included learning about Congressional opportunities related to National Institute of Health (NIH) and research, out-of-network payments as well as discussions with representatives from the Congressional Progressive Caucus about concerns with their Medicare for All agenda. The later meeting included an extensive discussion about anesthesiology’s Medicare payment disparity issue – the “33% problem”.

The “ASA Day in Washington” event is held early each year with ASA’s leadership.

Executive Committee members with Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD-1)