ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT


Fly In to Help Your ASC Join ASCA and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill BY DANIELLE KASTER


E their


ach year, ASCA invites its mem- bers to meet face-to-face with legislators


in Washington, DC.


For many ASCA members, the Capitol Fly-In program provides the first step to building a relationship with their repre- sentatives in Congress. Many members continue to participate in ASCA’s fly- ins and meet with their legislators about issues affecting their ASC each year. “I have participated in Capitol Fly-


ins for the past five years and witnessed a change in the tenor of many of our elected officials as they have become more educated and familiar with the ASC industry,” says Andrew Weiss, president of the New Jersey Ambula- tory Surgery Center Association. The ASCA Capitol Fly-In program creates a unique opportunity for the ASC industry to be seen and heard. In 2015, more than 140 ASCA mem- bers attended 255 congressional meet- ings. During these meetings, the fly- in participants had the opportunity to educate their representatives about the cost-efficient, quality care provided by ASCs and to explain how Congress’s support of ASC legislation benefits millions of Americans. “Imagine all the topics legislators must process every day,” says Cathy Weaver, regional vice president of operations at United Surgical Partners International. “One meeting is with an auto sales lobbyist, the next meet- ing with an ASC administrator . . . and so this continues every day in 15–30 minute increments. They need you as a resource. So go be one and be an engaged one.” Being an engaged resource does not just stop at the Fly-In. Many par- ticipants follow up their congressio- nal meetings with invitations for their


(From left) Bryce Docherty, Beth LaBouyer, Bill Davis, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Michael Stuntz, MD, during ASCA’s last Fly-In.


members of Congress to visit their


ASC. These tours allow ASCA mem- bers to continue educating their law- makers by providing a first-hand look at what happens in an ASC. Through these advocacy efforts, support of the ASC industry has continued to grow. “Members’ participation in ASCA’s


advocacy efforts, such as the Fly-In program, are critical to educating law- makers who can ensure that the ASC delivery model thrives in the future,” says Steve Miller, ASCA’s chief oper- ating officer.


The 2016 Capitol Fly-In dates are June 13–14 and September 12–13. The evening before the congressio- nal meetings, participants will receive training from industry experts on how to conduct an effective meeting with their members of Congress. ASCA staff also provides a legislative over- view with talking points that partici-


pants can bring with them to their Capitol Hill meetings. Even though ASCA provides these materials to help Fly-In participants prepare, personal stories are often the most effective way to communicate with lawmak- ers and their staff. ASCA invites all of its members to be a part of the Capi- tol Fly-In program to share their story with their legislators and ask them to support ASC issues. If you are interested in registering


or have questions about which event others from your state are attend- ing, please write Danielle Kaster at dkaster@ascassociation.org or call 703.345.0260.


Danielle Kaster is ASCA’s grassroots and political affairs manager. Write her at dkaster@ascassociation.org.


ASC FOCUS APRIL 2016 23


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