Bill Cassidy, MD, (R-LA) has become the first gastroenterologist to earn a seat in the U.S. Senate, according to an AGA eDigest report. Here are three things to know about Rep. Cassidy and his new position.
1. Rep. Cassidy defeated Sen. Mary Landrieu (D). With this victory, the Senate will have a 54-seat Republican majority.
2. During his time in the House, Rep. Cassidy championed GI field interests including increased transparency in CMS decision making. Subsequently, CMS committed to providing more transparency and delayed review of lower GI/endoscopy codes.
3. "AGA congratulates Rep. Cassidy on his Senate win. We look forward to continuing working together and renewing our conversations around healthcare reform and other key policy priorities, including Medicare physician payment reform, fair reimbursement for services and adequate federal support for digestive disease research," said American Gastroenterological Association Institute President John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF.