ASCRS eyeContacts are actively engaged with elected officials in their communities. eyeContacts in Action features a re-cap of recent activities ranging from back-home visits, to office or surgical center tours, to fundraisers. eyeContacts regularly meet with legislators to inform them of priority issues important to ophthalmologists and the specialty medical community.

If you have met with your legislators lately, fill out the Legislator Interaction Form and share your story. If you would like to schedule a meeting or office visit with your legislator contact ASCRS government relations at 703-591-2220.

Fundraising Activities

ASCRS Government Relations Committee Member Sandra Yeh, MD, of Springfield, Ill., attended a fundraiser in honor of Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and delivered a check from ASCRS’ eyePAC. Sen. Kirk is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and supports key ASCRS priorities. Specifically, Dr. Yeh thanked Sen. Kirk for his recent vote in favor of H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, which repealed and replaced the SGR and prevented CMS’ policy to transition all 10- and 90-day global codes to 0-day.

Back Home Visit

ASCRS Immediate Past-President Edward Holland, MD, (right) meets with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) (left), himself an ophthalmologist, to discuss the future of Medicare and physician payment reform.  eyeContacts may find building relationships with their legislators easier by looking for common ground, including professional background.

Office or Surgical Center Visit

Government Relations Committee Member, Parag Parekh, MD, MPH, (second from left) invited his congressman, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) (second from right) to tour his practice and surgery center. Dr. Parekh and his colleagues gave Rep. Thompson an opportunity to watch a surgical demonstration and to learn about the important role the rural practice plays as the only ophthalmic surgical center in a nearly 80-mile radius. It is important for eyeContacts to show their elected officials the critical role they serve for patients in the district's state.

Fundraising

Prior to Election Day 2012, former ASCRS President R. Doyle Stulting, MD, Ph.D., (left) hosted a fundraising event for Rep. Tom Price, MD, (R-GA) (right). Dr. Stulting gathered other physicians in the Atlanta area to support Rep. Price and share the legislative priorities of the medical community with one of their own members. Re-election for all legislators is a daunting and expensive process, fundraising on behalf of a candidate or contributing to ASCRS’ eyePAC is an effective means of expressing the voice of the profession.