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Special Issue :  PBN's Anesthesia Client Liaison and Dr. Mark Brady Help Move Legislative Dialog with U.S. Congressional Leaders 

The ASA held its annual Legislative Conference in early May in Washington DC. 

The conference provided an opportunity for anesthesiologists and practice administrators to meet and learn about the many issues facing the practice of anesthesia as well as sharing their concerns with members of Congress.

Two of PBN’s own, Nora Kreader , Anesthesia Client Liaison and Dr. Mark Brady, Anesthesiologist and a PBN Client, along with three other anesthesiology providers represented the Kansas contingent at the conference.  The group finished the conference with visits to congressional representatives to educate legislators and build advocacy for these important issues. 

During their congressional visits the group met with Kansas Congress members including Senators Roberts and Moran along with Congresswoman Jenkins and Congressman Yoder.  The representatives and their staff were all very receptive to the ASAPAC concerns (outlined below).  Follow-up communications continue through the ASA and individually between representatives and conference attendees.

Issue:  Medicare Reimbursement

• Key points
  • GAO reports indicating the specialty of anesthesia being paid at 33% of private payors compared to other specialties at an average rate of 80% of private payor reimbursement.
  • Unaccountable nature of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
  • Anesthesia innovative pilot programs for a patient surgical home.

• Congressional requests
  • SGR Anesthesia hold harmless.
  • Repeal of IPAB.
  • Support for a surgical home demonstration project.

Issue:   Rural Pass-through

• Key Points
  • Medicare allows, for rural providers, a more generous Part A payment for anesthesiologist assistants and CRNA’s but excludes anesthesiologists.  Including anesthesiologists would support broader patient access to care.
• Congressional requests
  • Extension of the rural pass-through to anesthesiologists. 
  • Possible co-sponsorship of the current House (H.R. 1044) bill and introduction into the Senate.

Issue: Drug Shortages

• Key  points
  • Physicians are seeing unprecedented increase in drug shortages.  This is resulting in delayed treatments as well as death in some cases.
• Congressional requests
  • Support increased congressional and administrative scrutiny into these drug shortages.
  • Co-sponsor Senate (S 296) Act for preserving life-saving medications.

Issue:  Truth and Transparency

• Key points
  • Patients have a lack of understanding of the skill and education for the varying providers they encounter.   This lack of information and along with the misleading / ambiguous advertising and degree titles lead to compromised healthcare decisions.
• Congressional requests
  • Co-sponsor and support of House (H.R. 451) Truth and Transparency Act.

For more detials about these issues and what you can do to help, check out the ASA 2011 One-Pagers for each issue (combined shere into a single web-friendly document) on PBN's website.
 

For more information and guidance on this and other issues that affect your bottom line, contact . . .

PBN Business Development, 800.288.4901,

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Overland Park, KS 66210 | 800.288.4901 | pbnmed.com

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