- During this year's STS Advocacy Leadership Summit, STS leaders supported issues critical to the cardiothoracic specialty.
- Ensure that Medicare payments keep pace with inflation, cardiothoracic practices can continue to provide high-quality patient care.
- Highlight the need for a focused approach to lung cancer research will help improve outcomes for women (especially non-smokers) diagnosed with the disease.
- Expand the elimination of non-compete clauses in employment contracts helps cardiothoracic surgeons practice without undue restrictions.
- Champion a permanent extension of telehealth.
During this year's STS Advocacy Leadership Summit held May 21-22 in Washington, DC, 14 STS leaders supported issues critical to the cardiothoracic specialty. The key areas the group focused on included:
An automatic annual inflation update for Medicare payments in the physician fee schedule. By ensuring that Medicare payments keep pace with inflation, cardiothoracic practices can continue to provide high-quality patient care.
Additional research on women and lung cancer. Highlighting the need for a focused approach to lung cancer research will help improve outcomes for women (especially non-smokers) diagnosed with the disease.
A ban on non-compete agreements. Expanding the elimination of non-compete clauses in employment contracts helps cardiothoracic surgeons practice without undue restrictions, improving their ability to serve diverse communities and maintain continuity of care.
Extend telehealth coverage. Championing a permanent extension of telehealth coverage could guarantee patients will have access to essential care, regardless of geographical barriers or unforeseen circumstances, such as the pandemic.
Our work on this two-day event did not go unnoticed with members' efforts highlighted by the Washington publication Politico. This media recognition helps boost the impact and importance of STS advocacy initiatives.
The Advocacy Conference, to be held March 3-4, 2025, in Washington, DC, is the next opportunity for STS members to join their colleagues to support the specialty. Mark your calendars for this important event, which occurs at the start of the next congressional session and presidential term. We aim for a record level of attendance to help strengthen our community's collective voice in shaping the future of healthcare policy.
In the meantime, this year’s congressional recess in August provides an excellent opportunity to meet with local elected officials. If you’re interested in connecting with your lawmakers, contact STS’s Washington team at advocacy@sts.org.