Advocacy News

Ophthalmology’s top champion in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, urgently needs your support or she risks losing her reelection in what will prove to be a very close race.

Our letter expressed concerns and provided recommendations for relevant proposals most likely to impact ophthalmology in the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Responding to the Senate Finance committee’s ideas for reforming how physicians are paid by Medicare, the Academy offered detailed solutions that would both improve physician payment and protect patient access to specialty care medicine.

Over the last year, the Academy has reminded members to be alert for an American Medical Association (AMA) invitation to an important survey affecting ophthalmology’s Medicare payments. Check your email for a message from PPISurvey@mathematica-mpr.com.

The ophthalmologist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives kicked off the 2024 OPHTHPAC Speaker Series addressing several developing issues affecting healthcare and spoke to the impact Academy advocacy has on advancing ophthalmology's priorities at the federal level.    

Congress has passed a partial government funding bill March 8 that includes policies to address cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) that went into effect on Jan. 1.   

In separate letters to Senate leaders, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives are calling on a Medicare payment fix in any upcoming government funding legislation.

Military veterans’ eye care, physician payment reform, reducing practice burdens, ensuring patients’ timely access to needed treatments, and increasing member engagement will drive the Academy’s 2024 advocacy efforts on behalf of ophthalmology patients and practices.

A new round of floor speeches highlighted the bipartisan agreement among members of the House of Representatives that there is urgent need for Medicare payment relief.

Our Congressional champions urged their colleagues to provide short-term relief and long-term stability for the system. Join their call by using our advocacy tool to contact your members of Congress.