ASA Physician Leaders Spend Day on Capitol Hill

On Monday, March 6, ASA leadership spent the day meeting with senior Congressional staff to discuss health policy items and ASA priorities in the 118th Congress. 
 
This annual event, called the “ASA EC Day in Washington,” was attended by ASA President Michael W. Champeau, MD, FASA, President-Elect Ronald L. Harter, MD, FASA, Immediate Past President Randall M. Clark, MD, FASA, First Vice President Donald E. Arnold, MD, FASA, Vice President for Professional Affairs Lois A. Connolly, MD, FACHE, FASA, as well as members of the ASA advocacy division staff.  
 
Throughout the day of meetings, members of the ASA Executive Committee met with staff from key Committees in both the House and Senate to discuss priorities of the new Congress and to provide the legislative staff with insights into key ASA issues and their importance for the continued delivery of safe anesthesia care. Topics of discussion included maintaining the physician-led anesthesia care team in VA hospitals, the impact of Medicare payment cuts, Medicare payment disparities and their impact on anesthesia (33% problem), workforce issues, surprise medical billing, and more.
 
ASA thanks physician leadership and Congressional staff for their continued participation in this yearly event and looks forward to continuing to work alongside lawmakers on the many pressing issues affecting patient safety and the specialty.