ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT


The Doctors Caucus Physicians in Congress influence decisions that impact your ASC BY KRISTIN MURPHY


C


aucuses in Congress are a way for their members to act as a vot-


ing block and increase their influence over a particular area. These groups allow members to raise awareness on the issue they care about while poten- tially changing legislation to suit their constituents’ needs. There are more than 450 organized caucuses in the House. They include groups such as the Carbon- ated and Non-alcoholic (C.A.N.) Cau- cus and the Commercial Space Caucus. Although the list is diverse, only a few caucuses wield true power and one of the most influential of these is the House GOP Doctors Caucus.


Since its inception in 2009, the GOP Doctors Caucus has been made up of “18 medical providers in Congress who utilize their medical expertise to develop patient-centered health care reforms focused on quality,


access,


affordability, portability and choice.” The 18 caucus members have a strong interest in health care and represent a variety of medical professions, includ- ing medical doctors, dentistry, nursing, podiatry and veterinary medicine. This breadth of professional expe- rience is recognized by the Republi- can leadership, which regularly looks to the caucus for guidance on a wide range of health care policy concerns. Members of the Doctors Caucus also


use their influence to support ASCs; Doc- tors Charles Boustany, Michael Burgess, Scott DesJarlais as well as registered nurse Renee Ellmers are all cosponsors of H.R. 1453, the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act. In addi- tion, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN), a registered nurse and vice-chair of the caucus, has long recognized the critical role ASCs play in the health care deliv- ery system and the challenges facing


Current Doctors Caucus Members


Phil Roe, MD, co-chair John Fleming, MD, co-chair Diane Black, RN, vice chair Ralph Abraham, MD Brian Babin, DDS


Dan Benishek, MD (retiring at the end of the 114th Congress) Charles Boustany, MD Larry Bucshon, MD Michael Burgess, MD Scott DesJarlais, MD Renee Ellmers, RN Paul Gosar, DDS Andy Harris, MD Joe Heck, DO Tim Murphy, Ph.D. Tom Price, MD Mike Simpson, DMD Brad Wenstrup, DPM


ASC-practicing physicians under Medi- care’s Meaningful Use program. To solve this problem, she drafted and sponsored the Electronic Health Fairness Act, which would exempt patient encoun- ters performed in an ASC from being counted toward meaningful use of EHRs until such time as a certified electronic health


record technology (CEHRT)


exists for the ASC setting. The legislation would also authorize the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to certify an EHR system for ASCs. As a result of Black’s work on this issue and the support of many Doctors Caucus members, this legislation was passed by the House in June 2015. A similar ver- sion of the legislation passed in the US Senate on August 5, 2015. As we go to


press, another version of the legislation has been included in a larger bill. During physician payment reform


negotiations, the Doctors Caucus suc- cessfully argued for policies to protect physicians from draconian payment changes and cuts as well as provisions to support small and rural practices. With- out the caucus’s work, it is unlikely these protections would have passed. The bill signed into law by President Barack Obama on April 16, 2015, guarantees a transition period, so the new formula does not phase in for five years, and phy- sicians receive a positive update in the meantime. The law also guarantees that all physicians who meet quality bench- marks are rewarded, rather than compet- ing for a fixed sum of dollars. ASCA recognizes the vital role the Doctors Caucus plays in crafting health care legislation. In concert with tradi- tional lobbying efforts led by ASCA staff, ASCA members routinely engage with the members of the caucus through meetings at the ASCA Capitol Fly-Ins, facility tours and constituent letters. Additionally, ASCAPAC works to elect and protect members of Congress who understand the role ASCs play in the health care delivery system. This con- stant outreach ensures that members of the Doctors Caucus are aware of the high quality, cost-effective care that ASCs provide to Medicare and its patients. The Doctors Caucus has proven suc- cessful in promoting patient-centered, physician-minded health care reforms by speaking with an organized, united voice. After this year’s contested and uncon- ventional election season, members of the 115th


Congress will need to present a


united front on the issues they care about. With more than 45 physicians running for Congress this November, there is poten- tial for the Doctors Caucus—and its influ- ence—to continue to grow.


Kristin Murphy is ASCA’s assistant director of legislative affairs. Write her at kmurphy@ascassociation.org.


ASC FOCUS AUGUST 2016 23


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