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Advocacy News

News and views on the regulatory, legislative, and political issues impacting ophthalmology in Washington, D.C., and around the United States

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Ophthalmologist Raj Maturi, MD, with a patient in his clinic.
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Featured News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2027. Here are the highlights based on the Academy’s analysis. The Academy will work with our advocacy partners to ensure finalized policies support our members and their patients.

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Academy Leadership sits at a large table with microphones
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January 29, 2025
Academy Leadership Sets 2025 Advocacy Priorities

Academy leaders have identified physician payment reform, reducing practice burdens, Medicare Advantage and Quality Performance Program issues, as well as military veterans’ eye care as some of our top federal advocacy priorities for 2025.

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Representative Suzan DelBene speaks with Academy advocates
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January 29, 2025
Engaging Congress Key to Advancing Ophthalmology Advocacy, Says DelBene

Ophthalmologists must actively engage with Congress to educate lawmakers on critical health care issues, emphasized Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., during OPHTHPAC®’s first Speaker Series event of the year, on Jan. 27.

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January 29, 2025
Act Now: New Bill Would Eliminate Medicare Payment Cuts, Provide Inflationary Update to Physicians

A bipartisan group of our congressional champions has introduced new legislation to reverse the 2025 Medicare pay cuts and add 2% update to the conversion factor for the rest of the year. Help us build support for this much needed update.

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Mary Lawrence, MD poses with Representative Kelly Morrison
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January 15, 2025
I Saw How Our Voices Make a Difference in Ophthalmology Advocacy

Mary Lawrence, MD, was invited by newly elected Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, D-Minn., to swearing-in day of the 119th Congress. She shares her experience of seeing first-hand how your OPHTHPAC investments build relationships with lawmakers and other medical societies.

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December 21, 2024
Congress Delays Medicare Payment Action

Congress has recessed and left Washington, D.C., for the year without addressing the impending cuts to Medicare payment, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, putting patient’s access to sight-saving care at risk.

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Headshots of two of the new ophthalmologist-friendly members of the 119th Congress
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November 20, 2024
OPHTHPAC Helps Bring ‘Eye-Partisan’ Candidates to 119th Congress

The election results are in, and ophthalmology strengthened its voice on Capitol Hill in the next Congress. Help your profession prepare for the new Congress.

November 20, 2024
Academy to UnitedHealthcare: Add Ophthalmology to New ‘Gold Card’ Program

The “gold card” program would exempt certain practices from prior authorization requirements.

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November 18, 2024
K. David Epley, MD: Without a Seat at the Table, Our Voice Goes Unheard

A Surgical Scope Fund Committee member and former OPHTHPAC committee member explains how your contributions drive the Academy’s advocacy efforts.

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November 6, 2024
CMS Finalizes 2.9% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient, ASC Settings for 2025

The final rule could affect about 3,500 hospitals and 6,100 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). Here are the key takeaways.

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November 6, 2024
Ophthalmologists Reelected to Arkansas and Kansas State Legislatures

Academy members William Clifford, MD, of Kansas, and Steven Magie, MD, of Arkansas, won their campaigns for state office.