- With 91 members, STS-PAC raised $84,000 in just a few days, setting a new Annual Meeting fundraising record.
- At the meeting, STS’s Board approved the 2025 Advocacy Priorities, setting a clear agenda to drive policy change in Washington next year.
- With the March 14 funding deadline approaching, the coming weeks are crucial to keeping key healthcare priorities front and center.
- Join us at the STS Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 3-4 to meet with legislators and advocate for the future of cardiothoracic surgery.
The 2025 STS Annual Meeting was my first, and it was a fantastic experience. It was incredible to connect with so many members and hear firsthand about the challenges and opportunities facing cardiothoracic surgeons. I truly appreciate everyone who stopped by the STS-PAC booth to show their support. With the help of 91 members, STS-PAC raised $84,000 in a few short days, breaking our all-time Annual Meeting fundraising record by a significant margin.
During the meeting, STS’s Board of Directors formally approved our 2025 Advocacy Priorities, guiding our efforts throughout the next year. With a clear agenda, STS is ready to advance these priorities in Washington and push for meaningful policy change.
The 2025 Advocacy Agenda includes the following advocacy priorities:
- Ensure the long-term viability of physician practices by advocating for Medicare payment reforms that promote predictable and sustainable reimbursement.
- Enhance patient access to lung cancer screenings and treatment by updating coverage policies and advancing the STS Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.
- Protect the surgeon’s role on the heart team by ensuring cardiothoracic surgeon involvement in patient selection and procedures.
- Reduce barriers to congenital and pediatric care by improving access to highly specialized care across state lines and promoting relevant research.
- Address the growing workforce shortage by supporting policies to expand cardiothoracic surgery training opportunities, improve wellness, and end non-compete agreements.
- Maximize the effectiveness of the STS National Database by enhancing access to federal claims data to help illustrate the benefits of real-world evidence.
With the March 14 government funding deadline fast approaching, the coming weeks will be critical in ensuring that key healthcare priorities remain at the forefront. For example, a bipartisan group of representatives introduced a bill late last week, H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, which would negate this year’s cut to Medicare physician reimbursements and provide a two percent inflation update. Hopefully, this policy advances along with government funding soon.
One of the best opportunities to help is at the STS Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 3-4, where members can meet directly with legislators to advocate for the future of cardiothoracic surgery. Register by Friday, Feb. 7, before it’s too late!
STS is committed to making 2025 a year of impactful action and measurable results. Let’s get to work.