Washington Update: Advocacy, Policy News

Sep 15, 2019 Re-posted from the September 2019 issue of Vascular Specialist

‘DC Update’ Newsletter Debuts: The Society for Vascular Surgery has a new electronic newsletter, “DC Update” to keep SVS members informed of the events in Washington, D.C., that impact their lives. Initially, the newsletter (sent Sept. 16) will appear every other month.

“We want – and need – our members to be aware of how what happens at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, at the Food and Drug Administration and elsewhere on Capitol Hill affects them,” said Sean Roddy, MD, chair of the SVS Policy and Advocacy Council, which is overseeing the newsletter. “ ‘DC Update’ will keep members up to date and also let them know when we need letters written to communicate our concerns.” “DC Update” also will be posted on the SVS website at vsweb.org/Newsletters.

Committee Shines Spotlight on Red Tape Burden: The SVS and other vascular societies have endorsed proposed solutions for the regulatory administrative burden of IT and electronic health records. In submitting the endorsement several months ago, the societies also referenced the 2018 SVS survey on wellness and burnout, identifying EHRs as a significant stressor of clinical practice. Read more on the SVS Government Relations Committee take on the issue at vsweb.org/RedTape.

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A few years ago, in his presidential address to the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, Mark Mattos, MD, spoke eloquently about the need to “protect our specialty.” A large part of this, he argued, is protecting our patients; no other specialty in medicine can provide the type of comprehensive vascular care that we offer. The daily reality we all face is the potential for declining Medicare reimbursement for our services.

Progress made during year like no other

While the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects dominated 2020–21 fiscal year—including the cancellation of the live 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM)—it did not deter progress on many important initiatives. “When covid hit, it intensified our focus on what was truly important: our members, their patients and the SVS as their Society,” said Executive Director Kenneth M. Slaw, PhD. “That focus was sustained the past 15 months and it has led to innovation and an unprecedented volume of member value programs.” He outlined important highlights from the fiscal year that ended March 31—just more than a year after the pandemic was declared—and the vital initiatives that continue to move forward.

New SVS vice president, revised bylaws set to be unveiled at June 16 Annual Business Meeting

Members, be sure to register for the June 16 Virtual Annual Business Meeting, the first of two business meetings for 2021. Registration is required to assure A quorum. Register at vascular.org/ABM1Register. The second meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, during the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM). The Wednesday, June 16, meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Members will hear reports from President Ronald L. Dalman, MD, Secretary Amy Reed, MD, and Treasurer Keith Calligaro, MD. Nominating Committee Chair R. Clement Darling III, MD, will present his report, announce the results of the election for SVS vice president and on bylaws revisions, and introduce the 2021–22 Officers.