A Federal Task Force: Another Way to Serve My Country

John J. McGraw, MD, FAAOS, COL (retired), U.S. Army Medical Corps

On May 30, 2018, along with 12 other healthcare experts on pain management, I raised my right hand to defend the Constitution and become a Special Government Employee as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Pain Management Best Practices Inter-agency Task Force. The designation provides no salary; however, travel expenses and per diem are reimbursed.

NOLC Participants Share First-hand Experiences on ‘The Hill’

In June, approximately 350 orthopaedic surgeons from across the country participated in the AAOS 2019 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC). The purpose of the annual event is to advance AAOS’ Unified Advocacy Agenda by providing legislative and regulatory education, building support for orthopaedic-related legislation and regulation, and strengthening relationships with key decision makers within the U.S. government.

New, Focused Advocacy Efforts Will Strengthen the Association

Kerri Fitzgerald

During a presentation at the AAOS 2019 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference, Wilford K. Gibson, MD; Stacie Monroe (on behalf of John T. Gill, MD); and M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FACS, shared the latest updates regarding the Association’s advocacy efforts. Dr. Gibson, chair of the AAOS Council on Advocacy, began with an overview of AAOS-supported legislation. The Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019, supported by Representatives Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.); Ami Bera, MD (D-Calif.

New PAC Resident Fellow Named to Executive Committee

Kevin Cronin, MD, pledges to represent residents in political programs

It is an honor and pleasure to introduce myself as the new Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (OrthoPAC) resident fellow. My name is Kevin Cronin, MD, and I am a post-graduate year-5 at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Following graduation next year, I will be moving to Philadelphia for my shoulder and elbow fellowship at the Rothman Institute.

Patients Over Paperwork Fight Continues

Alix Braun, MPH

In June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Request for Information (RFI), titled “Reducing Administrative Burden to Put Patients Over Paperwork.” The proposal, which CMS Administrator Seema Verma first introduced in October 2017, aims to decrease the regulatory requirements that lead to overly burdensome reporting measures for clinicians.