ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT


Senate Finance Committee The Senate Finance Committee is similar to the House Ways and Means Committee in its jurisdiction. It is responsible for tax, trade and health issues, including Medicare and electronic health records. This committee recently evaluated and voted for the Electronic Health Fairness Act, which paved the way for the full Senate to vote on this key legislation for ASCs. The Senate Finance Committee also has jurisdiction over the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act. The chairman of this commit-


tee is Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The ranking member is Senator Ron Wyden. Senator Wyden has been a staunch advocate for ASCs and has been the sponsor of the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act in previous Congresses.


Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee The HELP Committee covers a number of health care-related issues, including the Food and Drug Administration— particularly around drug approvals, shortages and compounding phar- macies—electronic health records and health care innovation. Most notably, the HELP Committee drafted the Drug Quality and Secu- rity Act (DQSA), which enhances Food and Drug


Administration


(FDA) oversight of compounding pharmacies and will be responsi- ble for evaluating the 21st Cures


legislation recently in the House. The 21st


Century passed


Century Cures


legislation would provide additional funding for both the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the FDA, among other drug development activities.


The chairman for this committee is Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and its ranking member is Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Recognizing the role these commit-


tees play in health policy and engag- ing their members is crucial to protect- ing access to care in the ASC setting. These elected officials are recognized by their peers as policy leaders in their issue areas and have the ability to advo- cate for legislation, persuade their col- leagues to vote in favor or oppose certain bills and influence federal agencies to take action. Understanding their role in the legislative process is crucial to ensur- ing patients have access to high quality, cost-effective care in the ASC setting.


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


ASC FOCUS OCTOBER 2015


33


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  |  Page 41  |  Page 42