AAOE Members Advocate in Washington, DC
AAOE Members Advocate in Washington, DC
September 23-24, 2024
On September 23rd and 24th, members of the American Alliance of Orthopedic Executives (AAOE) visited Washington, DC to engage with legislators on pressing issues affecting the practice of musculoskeletal care. These meetings were a part of the National Orthopedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), organized by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).
During the meetings, AAOE members focused on three key topics:
- Physician Fee Schedule – advocating against the continued cuts to physician reimbursement.
- Telemedicine – emphasizing the importance of expanding access to virtual care for musculoskeletal patients.
- Physician-Owned Hospitals – advocating for the role and expansion of physician-owned hospitals in providing high-quality, efficient care.
The AAOE delegation was led by Joseph Mathews, President of AAOE; Megan O’Hara, Past President; and Paul Bruning, Advocacy Council Chair. Throughout both days, they participated in multiple meetings with legislative offices, alongside members from OrthoForum and Ortho Connect organizations. This unified approach helped demonstrate a strong, collective voice to policymakers. AAOE plans to continue working with these organizations to amplify their advocacy efforts and ensure that the legislative process reflects the needs of musculoskeletal care providers.
In October, AAOE’s lobbying partners have scheduled a meeting with the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of Medicare in Washington, DC. The AAOE team is also working to arrange a meeting with a representative from AARP to discuss the future of musculoskeletal care over the next decade. More updates will be provided as these meetings take place.
AAOE is deeply committed to advocating on behalf of its members and encourages all AAOE members to engage with their legislative offices. Legislators appreciate hearing firsthand how policy changes impact health care and the lives of the constituents they serve.
We encourage you to schedule your own visit and let us help you!
If you’d like to participate in hosting a visit to your facility, please reach out to Cameron Wheeler (cwheeler@lobbyit.com) or Jennifer Nordquest (jnordquest@aaoe.net) and include the following information:
-
- Your specific location (city and state)
-
- Your contact information
-
- 3-5 Sentences about what your facility does