WASHINGTON—Congressional members and their staffs greeted more than 240 American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye M.D.s last week during the Academy’s annual Congressional Advocacy Day. Ophthalmologists took time from their practices to fly to Washington for these meetings to help educate Congress on significant issues to ophthalmologists and their patients.
Topping the list of important issues was Medicare physician pay cuts and the need to find a long-term solution to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula flaw. Congress intervened this year to halt a 4.4 percent cut in physician Medicare reimbursement, but another 4.6 percent cut is projected for 2007.
“Fixing the SGR flaw is of the utmost importance to us because it impacts ophthalmologists and their ability to treat Medicare patients,” says Catherine Cohen, vice president of governmental affairs for the Academy. “If not addressed, this flaw would result in cuts to physician Medicare reimbursement of more than 34 percent over the next nine years. And with the baby boomer generation approaching Medicare age, will we start seeing an increased demand for ophthalmology services and not enough reimbursement dollars to pay for the cost of providing those services.”
In addition to the SGR formula, Eye M.D.s spoke to their members about payment reform that rewards physicians for reaching quality measures. Specifically, the Academy is pursing the development of simple, easily reported quality performance measures that are evidence-based and derived from the Academy’s Preferred Practice Patterns.
Ophthalmologists also spoke to members about broadening patient access to services provided by ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and encouraged members to cosponsor the “Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Modernization Act” (H.R. 4042/S.1884). These bills would reform the current regulatory framework, allowing ASCs to perform and receive Medicare facility payment for any surgical service, with some specific exceptions.
Fighting for children’s eye care, Eye M.D.s asked their representatives to cosponsor the “Children’s Access to Vision Care Act” (H.R. 2328), which provides grants to states for eye exams and subsequent treatment for uninsured children who have failed a vision screening.
“This bill would enable more children who need care to be helped complimenting current state efforts to screen children,” explained Cohen.
The ophthalmologists’ visits to Capitol Hill proved timely as the House was considering the FY 2007 Budget Resolution. Specifically, ophthalmologists urged support of the FY 2007 Budget Resolution only if it included an additional $7 billion for health and education programs that would ensure continued research resulting in treatments and therapies to slow the progression of vision loss. This increase is especially important to maintain the momentum of discovery at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
As part of Congressional Advocacy Day, the Academy welcomed 41 residents and fellows who participated in its Advocacy Ambassador’s Program. This program, now in its third year, is a collaborative effort between state societies and training programs to include residents in Congressional Advocacy Day. The Ohio Ophthalmological Society received an award for sponsoring four residents and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Ophthalmological Society (WDMOS) received an award for supporting seven. Also acknowledged was the American Glaucoma Society, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus for their participation in sponsoring Eye M.D.s for Congressional Advocacy Day who are undergoing fellowship training.
