Advocacy on a Shoestring

By John King, MD

When looking ahead at your career, it is important to realize that the patients that you will be able to see, the compensation for the care you provide, and who will deliver medical and surgical care, will be largely determined in the political arena. Luckily, there are things that time and cash strapped physicians-in-training can do now, in order to help ensure their future. As there are many ophthalmologists in training with a limited amount of free time and limited amount of resources, I will provide some simple, quick, and budget friendly steps toward becoming an advocate for your career.

The following are simple and short steps that can be utilized today, using the AAO web site:

JOIN: THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS

1. Join the AAO (http://www.aao.org/about/membership/applications.cfm)

· Joining is free to those in training.
· Membership includes a number of benefits. (http://www.aao.org/about/membership/benefits.cfm)
· The AAO is an excellent resource for advocacy, and much more.

2. Join your state society

· Here is a list of state societies. (http://www.aao.org/aao/member/state/directory.cfm)
· State societies have an influence on legislation regarding scope-of-practice,
insurance regulation, & patient access.

3. Join any other local society or coalition that interests you

DONATE TO PAC(S): YOUR "POLITICAL INSURANCE"

Just like health, life, and malpractice insurance policies are important protection for your future, a contribution to your Political Action Committee (PAC) is your political insurance that your needs and interests will be represented and heard.

1. OphthPac (http://www.aao.org/advocacy/ophthpac/index.cfm)

· OphthPac gets our voice heard in the US Congress through support of ophthalmology friendly candidates and lobbying efforts.
· OphthPac recently thwarted a $474 million loss for Ophthalmology over 4 years.
· Currently, they are actively involved in derailing a 34% reduction in Medicare reimbursement over the next nine years (4% of which will begin in 2007). Keep in mind that 60% of our patients have Medicare; and other insurance providers base reimbursement rates on Medicare Fee For Service. Furthermore, the proposed cuts in Medicare do not include a projected 22% increase in practice costs, the compounding affect of inflation, nor the fact that Ophthalmology practices have high overhead costs.
· Members-in-training can receive all benefits including the OPHTHPAC Reception at the academy by donating just $25 dollars.

2. Surgical Scope Fund (http://commonspot.aao.org/advocacy/state/ssf.cfm)

· Contributions to this PAC have influenced many regulatory decisions (see the link above for specifics).
· The Surgical Scope Fund was used to begin the Surgery by Surgeons campaign, in part as a response to Oklahoma's passage of a bills allowing optometric surgery and laser privileges (http://www.aao.org/news/release/20050316a.cfm).
· Contributions provide grants to state ophthalmological societies to enhance their legislative and public education efforts.
· If this issue interests you, then donate, even if you can only budget a small
amount.

GRASS ROOTS: THE KIND THAT EVEN CLINTON CAN INHALE

1. Capwitz (http://capwiz.com/aao/home/)

This is a legislative action center with many functions:
· Before you vote, you can see how some politicians voted on bills. (http://capwiz.com/aao/e4/)
· Use it to view current legislation. (http://capwiz.com/aao/issues/)
· "Action Alerts": You can send pre-written emails to congressional members concerning ophthalmology related bills. (http://capwiz.com/aao/issues/?style=D)
· You can send a message out to local and national media. (http://capwiz.com/aao/dbq/media/)
· You can access information to help you to write to your representatives. (http://capwiz.com/aao/issues/basics/?style=comm)

2. Advocacy Day (http://www.aao.org/advocacy/advocacy_day.cfm)

· This is an annual meeting in Washington where ophthalmologists are educated about the current legislative issues affecting ophthalmology. Each ophthalmologist then meets with members of congress. (You can get the specifics on the link above.)
· 235 ophthalmologists went this year, which included over 40 residents and fellows. You can hear what some residents had to say about their experience. (http://www.aao.org/member/myf/podcast.cfm - chose the 18 minute one).
· Some of the bills discussed with congress members have recently passed. Residents and fellows who attended Advocacy Day definitely played a role in this success.
· The good news: The Advocacy Ambassador Program (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=252261&highlight=advocacy) is helping to get the Academy, state societies, and ophthalmology programs to pay for you to attend. Learn more about the program by clicking the above link.

3. Stay Updated on the Issues

· Read email alerts from the AAO and your state society.
· The Academy has provided an advocacy center which includes all of the important topics. (http://www.aao.org/advocacy/index.cfm)
· Consider asking your department to purchase The Profession of Ophthalmology, which not only covers advocacy, but also ethics and practice management for job seekers and those early into practice.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG

- This is all about our future.

- Each of us can make a difference.

- Inaction is a choice that gives control to others.

- Become an advocate for your profession today.