Eighteen members of the California Ambulatory Surgery Society visited Washington, D.C. in May to advocate on behalf of the ASC industry.
Here are four things to know:
1. The group participated in ASCA's Washington DC Fly-In event and was able to meet with 20 California legislators.
2. In discussions with their representatives, the CASA members talked about the benefit of ASCs and encouraged their lawmakers to co-sponsor the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2017 and Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2017.
3. The CASA members asked their Congressional representatives to sign a letter to HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, requesting he administratively move ASC payments under the same market basket system as hospital payments.
4. The group encouraged others to follow in their footprints. "To experience the political realm up close and personal and advocate for equality was inspiring," said Chad Smith, RN, director of clinical services, valley region at Sutter Surgery Center Division.