Washington—With more than 220 ophthalmologists visiting Capitol Hill to make their voices heard, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s eighth annual Advocacy Day was an unprecedented success. “Building relationships with our congressional representatives is the most effective means of getting our concerns addressed,” said Peter Whitted, MD, chairman of the Academy’s Congressional Advocacy Committee.

Advocacy Day reached another important milestone this year with more than 30 residents attending the event, up from 16 at the 2004 Advocacy Day.  The Academy strongly encourages resident participation, particularly in the legislative advocacy process, as an effective means of developing future leaders in the field.

The Eye M.D. advocates attended more than 250 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. The meetings focused on the Academy’s four top legislative issues:  stopping the 2006 Medicare cuts and fixing the flawed SGR payment formula; regulating plano contact lenses as medical devices; ensuring children’s access to vision care through appropriate screening; and reinforcing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) directive limiting all eye surgery performed in VA hospitals to ophthalmologists.
 
Before going to the Hill, Catherine G. Cohen, vice president of the Academy’s Governmental Affairs Division, briefed the advocates about the 2006 4 percent Medicare cut and fixing the inequitable SGR formula. She warned that significant challenges are ahead because of the high costs of a solution in a deficit reduction environment and the announced increase in beneficiary Part B premiums.

On the VA issue, members personally thanked their representatives for working to ensure the protection of veterans’ eye health throughout the VA health care system. In recognition of these efforts, the Academy awarded the following Congressmen its Visionary Award:

Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Ohio
Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark.
Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas
Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla.
Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla.
Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind.

The Academy also recognized three veterans, from leading veterans service organizations, who made significant individual contributions to our success with the VA.:

Boyd Barclay, Military Order of the Purple Heart
Ron Conley, American Legion
Rick Wiedman, Vietnam Veterans of America

Feedback from Advocacy Day participants was positive and enthusiastic. Academy members noted that they were able to discuss the issues thoroughly and provide helpful information on many of the complex issues they discussed. Overall, the Academy advocates felt that they had a real impact on the legislative process. Dr. Whitted added, “Cathy Cohen and the Academy’s Governmental Affairs Division deserve special recognition for producing such a great event.”