FROM THE HILL by Ali Alikhani, MD
Intervene for IR: Act for SIRPAC How you can have a role in changing how legislators perceive IR T
he future will be challenging for IR. We need to build strength through numbers, including influence among legislators—which is possible only through advocacy and contributions.
SIR government affairs is the only entity that advocates for IR. The government affairs leadership and staff work closely with and complement the efforts of the SIR Political Action Committee (SIRPAC), which raises money to contribute to members of Congress who support IR and other health care issues. SIRPAC’s goal is not only to elect or reelect members of Congress who are favorable to our policy views but also to demonstrate to the IR community that SIR is a serious player on the health care policy stage. We do that through our contributions.
Educating Congress It is important for IRs—students, trainees and attending physicians—to not only contribute to SIRPAC but to take part in educating members of Congress via electronic contact or physical presence.
As a former SIRPAC Grassroots Leadership Program (sirweb. org/sirpac/
grassroots_leadership.shtml) participant, I had
the opportunity to engage with key members of Congress involved with health policy and maintained a relationship with several Tennessee members of Congress. This past January, I invited Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., to visit a University of Tennessee/Methodist Healthcare system hospital, which provided the means to further educate her about IR.
Did you know?
SIR government affairs recent landmark accomplishments include advocating to:
• 2007: help avert a 41 percent cut to IR reimbursement through the CHAMP Act
• 2011: create policies to help reduce drug shortages
• 2015: propose a bill that would provide additional funding for medical research, specifically for the treatment of uterine fibroids
• ????: ensure individuals who practice imaging to have the proper credentials
R to L: Dr. David Buechner, Interventional Radiologist MRPC/UT-Methodist, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Ali Alikhani, MD, PGY-3. 34 IR QUARTERLY | SPRING 2016
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40