Orthopaedic Surgeons Push for Policy Reform in Washington

The event, running through August 6, provides a platform for surgeons to bypass the limitations of their clinical schedules through virtual engagement. Participants are targeting specific policy bottlenecks, including the rising burden of prior authorization requirements and shifting regulatory demands. According to AAOS Advocacy Council Chair Joel Mayerson, MD, the goal is to ensure that decision-makers understand that quality care is best directed by physicians rather than administrative mandates.

Each day of the program focuses on a different pillar of influence: legislative, regulatory, state, and political action committee engagement. By streamlining the process for surgeons to send letters or share firsthand patient narratives, the AAOS seeks to amplify the collective impact of the profession at a time when CMS proposals threaten to reshape practice environments. As noted by OrthoPAC Executive Committee Chair Wayne Johnson, MD, the initiative serves as a critical safeguard for the future of the field, reinforcing the necessity of physician-led policy in protecting high-quality care nationwide.