STS advocates on regulatory issues that affect you, the practicing cardiothoracic surgeon, and the care you provide your patients.
Key issues include:
AHRQ & PCORI
2019
- Friends of PCORI Reauthorization Letter to Senate Finance Committee on FY2020 Funding (Nov. 4)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to House Appropriators on FY2020 Funding (Oct. 17)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to Senate Appropriators on FY2020 Funding (Oct. 17)
- STS Letter of Support for PCORI Reauthorization (HR3030) (Jul. 3)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to House Appropriators on Funding (Mar. 7)
2018
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to Senate Appropriators on Funding (Sept. 7)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to House Appropriators on Funding (Sept. 7)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to Senate Appropriators for FY2018 (Jan. 8)
- Friends of AHRQ Letter to House Appropriators for FY2018 (Jan. 8)
2017
2016
- Friends of AHRQ Sign-on Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on FY 2017 (Mar. 14)
- Friends of AHRQ Sign-on Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on FY 2017 (Mar. 10)
2015
Coding and Reimbursement (PFS/IPPS/(H)OPPS)
2019
- PCRC Comments to CMS on CY2020 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Sept. 27)
- STS Comments on CY2020 HOPPS Proposed Rule (Sept. 19)
- STS Comments to CMS on CY2020 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Aug. 30)
- Specialty Society Letter to CMS on Cuts to Office/Outpatient E/M Visits (Aug. 15)
- STS Comments to CMS on Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (Jun. 20)
- Coalition Letter to CMS on Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Proposed Rule (Jun. 17)
- STS Comments to ICD-10 C&M Committee on ECMO Coding (Apr. 4)
2018
- STS-Led Coalition Letter to CMS on ECMO Changes (Nov. 1)
- PCRC Letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee on Measure Licensing (Oct. 24)
- PCRC Letter to House Ways and Means Committee on Measure Licensing (Oct. 24)
- PCRC Letter to Senate Finance Committee on Measure Licensing (Oct. 24)
- PCEMSC Letter to CMS on CY2019 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule – E/M Coding (Sept. 10)
- PCEMSC Letter to Congress on CY2019 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule – E/M Coding (Sept. 10)
- STS Comments on CY2019 PFS/QPP Proposed Rule (Sept. 10)
- PCRC Comments on CY2019 PFS Proposed Rule (Sept. 10)
- AMA Letter on CY2019 PFS Proposed Rule (Aug. 27)
- PCRC Letter to CMS on FY19 IPPS Proposed Rule (Jun. 25)
- STS Comments on FY19 IPPS Proposed Rule (Jun. 20)
2017
- Sign-on Letter to RAND Corporation on Global Surgical Services Survey (Oct. 20)
- Sign-on Letter to HHS Secretary Price & CMS Administrator Verma on Malpractice Relative Value Units (Sep. 28)
- STS Comments on CY 2018 Physician Fee Schedule (Sept. 11)
2016
- STS Technical Comments on Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (Dec. 29)
- Coalition Letter to CMS on Cuts to Lung Cancer Screening Reimbursement in HOPPS (Dec. 28)
- Lung Cancer Alliance Sign-on Letter to CMS on Medicare Program: Lung Cancer Screening Section of the 2017 Proposed Rule (Sep. 6)
- Comments to CMS on Policies Under the 2017 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Sep. 6)
- Comments to CMS on Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs Proposed Rule (Aug. 18)
2015
- Comments to CMS on Policies Under the 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule with Comment Period (Dec. 18)
- Comments to CMS on Policies under the 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Sep. 8)
- Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; etc (HOPPS) Proposed Rule (Aug. 27)
- CMS Response to Physician Concerns Regarding ICD-10 Implementation (May 8)
- Congressional Sign-on Letter to Leadership Opposing Transition of 10- and 90-Day Global Codes (Mar. 18)
- Sign-on Letter to CMS Urging Caution in ICD-10 Implementation (Mar. 4)
Electronic Health Records
2018
- PCRC Letter to ONC on EHR Reporting (Oct. 17)
- Coalition Letter to CMS on MIPS Credit for Reporting Through QCDRs via EHRs (Sept. 10)
- Coalition Letter on Information Blocking by EHR Vendors (Feb. 8)
2017
- Coalition Letter to HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price on EHRs and MIPS (Jun. 15)
- Sign-on Letter on EHR Penalties (Mar. 21)
- Sign-On Letter Requesting Delay in 2015 EHR Certification Requirement (Feb. 27)
2016
- Sign-on Letter to Senate on Information Blocking in EHRs (Jun. 21)
- Letter of Support for the Improving Health Information Technology Act (Feb. 17)
- Registry Coalition Comments to Senate HELP Committee on Draft HIT Legislation (Jan. 29)
2015
- STS Comments on MU Hardship Relief Legislation (H.R. 3940) (Nov. 25)
- Sign-on Letter to OMB Director Shaun Donovan on MU (Sep. 18
- Sign-on Letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell on MU (Sep. 18)
- Flex IT 2 Act (H.R. 3309) Letter of Support (Sep. 8)
Graduate Medical Education
2019
- Coalition Letter of Support for Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (Jul. 17)
- STS Response to House Small Business Committee on Student Loans (Jul. 3)
- Coalition Letter in Support of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (Apr. 10)
- Sign-on Letter of Support for the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (Mar. 19)
2017
- Sign-on Letter Endorsing H.R. 3767 and S. 989, the Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2017 (Oct. 12)
- Sign-on Letter of Support for Title VII Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment (Oct. 12)
- STS Letter of Support for HR 2267, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2017 (May 17)
2016
- Sign-on Letter Supporting Reauthorization of Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (Nov. 16)
2015
Health Care Reform
Human Subjects Research
Medical Devices
2019
2016
2015
Patient Advocacy
2019
- STS Letter to FDA on Heparin Shortage (Sept. 17)
- STS Letter of Support for the Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act (HR2550) (Jul. 3)
- STS Letter of Support for Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2019 (Apr. 10)
2018
- Coalition Letter in Support of H.R. 3592, the South Asian Heart Health Awareness & Research Act (Oct. 30)
- Joint Society Letter Regarding USPSTF Draft Research Plan for Lung Cancer Screening (May 30)
- Letter of Support for Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act (H.R. 4897/S.2358) (Feb. 27)
2017
- Congressional Letter to CMS on Lung Cancer Screening Reimbursement (Jun. 16)
- Sign-on Letter in Support of the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017 (S. 477 / H.R. 1222) (Mar. 27)
- Sign-on Letter Opposing the FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017 (H.R. 1136) (Mar. 27)
- Sign-on Letter to Senate on Cigar Regulation (Feb. 16)
- Sign-on Letter to House of Representatives on Cigar Regulation (Feb. 15)
2016
- STS Letter to House Leadership in Support of 21st Century Cures Act (Dec. 1)
- STS Letter to Senate Leadership in Support of 21st Century Cures Act (Dec. 1)
- Registry Coalition Letter in Support of 21st Century Cures Act (Dec. 1)
- Registry Coalition Letter to House in Support of 21st Century Cures Act (Nov. 30)
- STS Signs Letter to Speaker Ryan on 21st Century Cures Bill (Aug. 11)
- Sign-on Letter to Congress Endorsing H.R.1859/S.2782, Ensuring Children's Access to Specialty Care Act (Jun. 7)
- Sign-on Letter to Appropriations Subcommittees on Funding for Congenital Heart Disease Research (Mar. 9)
2015
Physician Medicare Payments
2020
2019
- AMA Letter to Congress on MACRA Implementation (Jun. 3)
- STS Comments on Senate MACRA Hearing (May 21)
2018
- STS Comments to Innovation Center on BPCI-A (Oct. 5)
- MACRA Alliance Letter to CMS on Direct Physician Contracting RFI (May 25)
- STS Comments on Bundled Payment Care Improvement (BPCI) Advanced (Mar. 16)
- STS Comments on MIPS Specialty Measure Sets (Feb. 9)
- Coalition Letter to MedPAC on Rebalancing PFS Toward Primary Care (Jan. 10)
- PCRC Letter to CMS on CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program (Jan. 1)
2017
- Surgical Coalition Letter on Cuts to Medicare (Dec. 11)
- Coalition Letter to MedPAC on MIPS and Clinical Data Registries (Dec. 1)
- PCRC Letter to CMS on Ownership of MIPS Measures (Nov. 20)
- STS Comments on CABG EPM Cancellation (Sept. 26)
- Registry Coalition Letter to CMS on 2018 Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule (Aug. 21)
- STS Letter to CMS on CY2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program (Aug. 21)
- STS Comments to CMS on Regulatory Burden Relief (Jul. 7)
- Surgical Coalition Letter to Secretary Price and Administrator Verma on Globals Codes Survey (Apr. 20)
- STS Comments on Delay of CABG Bundle (Apr. 18)
- STS Comments on ACS-Brandeis APM Proposal (Jan. 11)
- Sign-on Letter of Support for ACS-Brandeis APM Proposal (Jan. 11)
2016
- STS Alternative Payment Model
- PCRC Comments on MACRA Final Rule (Dec. 19)
- STS Comments on CMS CABG Bundle (Oct. 3)
- STS Comments on CMS Episode Groups (Aug. 24)
- STS Comments to CMS on Patient Relationship Categories and Codes (Aug. 11)
- STS Signs Cardiovascular Specialty Joint Letter of Support for Nominees to Clinical Committee (Jul. 2016)
- STS Comments on HCP-LAN Draft White Paper on Data Sharing (Jul. 7)
- STS Signs Letter Endorsing the Protect Continuing Physician Education and Patient Care Act (Jun. 29)
- STS Comments to CMS on MACRA Proposed Rule (Jun. 27)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition Sign-On Letter on MACRA Proposed Rule (Jun. 27)
- American Medical Association Sign-On Letter on MACRA Proposed Rule (Jun. 24)
- STS Comments on HCP-LAN Draft White Paper on Coronary Artery Disease (Jun. 20)
- Sign-on Letter to CMS on APM Development (Apr. 18)
2015
- Sign-on Letter to CMS on MIPS & APMs (Nov. 16)
- STS Response to CMS RFI on MIPS & APMs (Nov. 16)
- Letter to GAO Nominating Jeffrey B. Rich, MD to PTAC (Jul. 22)
- Surgical Coalition SGR Thank You Letter to Congressional Leaders (May 28)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition SGR Thank You Letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee (May 4)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition SGR Thank You Letter to Senate HELP Committee (May 4)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition SGR Thank You Letter to Senate Finance Committee (May 4)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition SGR Thank You Letter to House Ways & Means Committee (May 4)
- Letter of Support for H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Mar. 25)
Social Security Death Master File
2015
- Letter to Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on the Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act (Jun. 1)
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition Letter to Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on Access to the Death Master File (Apr. 16)
- Letter to National Institute of Standards and Technology on Certification Program for Access to the Death Master File (Mar. 30)
Tobacco
2020
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter Supporting Tax on Nicotine Used in E-Cigarettes (Feb. 21)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter Supporting the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (Feb. 4)
2019
- Comments to FDA Premarket Tobacco Product Applications and Recordkeeping Requirements (Nov. 25)
- STS Supports Smoke-Free Schools Act of 2019 (Nov. 19)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Statement Supporting President Trump's Decision to Remove Flavored E-Cigarettes from the Market (Nov. 18)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar on Flavored E-Cigarette Ban (Oct. 29)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to Melania Trump on Flavored E-Cigarette Ban (Oct. 29)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to FDA on Graphic Cigarette Warning Proposed Rule (Oct. 15)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letters of Support for Federal Ban on Flavored E-Cigarettes (Sept. 24)
- Coalition Letters to House and Senate Opposing the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2019 (Sept. 16)
- Coalition Letter of Support for the SAFE Kids Act (Sept. 9)
- Coalition Letter of Support for the Prohibit Smoking in VHA Facilities Act - House (Jul. 11)
- Coalition Letter of Support for the Prohibit Smoking in VHA Facilities Act - Senate (Jul. 11)
- STS Endorsement of the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act (Jul. 3)
- STS Letter to Congress in Support of the Prohibit Smoking in VA Facilities Act (June 11)
- Letter of Support for Tobacco to 21 Act (Jun. 3)
- Letter of Support for Tobacco Free Youth Act (Jun. 3)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter of Support for Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act (May 16)
- STS Letter to FDA on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Apr. 10)
- Sign-on Letter to Congress on CDC Office on Smoking and Health (Mar. 14)
- Sign-on Letter to Congress on FDA User Fees and Authority under Tobacco Control Act (Mar. 14)
2018
- STS Letter of Support to FDA on Youth Nicotine Use Prevention (Oct. 18)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter on Tobacco Rider (Sept. 11)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to FDA on Premium Cigars (Jul. 25)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to FDA on Flavored Tobacco Products (Jul. 19)
- Sign-on Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on Funding for CDC Office on Smoking and Health (May 24)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to Senate Appropriators on FDA Oversight of Tobacco (May 23)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to FDA on Nicotine Standards (May 21)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Letter to House Appropriators on FDA Oversight of Tobacco (May 4)
- Letter of Support for ATS Submission on New ICD-10 Codes for ENDS (Feb. 27)
2017
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Sign-on Letter to Appropriators on Tobacco Riders (Oct. 30)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Sign-on Letter to Leadership on Tobacco Riders (Oct. 30)
2016
- Sign-on Letter to Congressional Leadership on Tobacco Riders (Nov. 17)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Sign-on Letter to Appropriators on Tobacco Riders (Nov. 16)
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Sign-on Letter to Leadership on Tobacco Riders (Nov. 16)
- Sign-on Letter to House Appropriators on Tobacco Regulation (Sep. 7)
- Sign-on Letter to Senate Appropriators on Tobacco Regulation (Sep. 7)
- STS Signs Letter to Senate Urging Protection of FDA's Ability to Regulate Tobacco (Jun. 8)
2015
- Sign-on Letter to FDA on Proposed Tobacco Regulations (Sep. 29)
- Sign-on Letter to the House Appropriations Committee on Tobacco Policy (Sep. 10)
- Sign-on Letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tobacco Policy (Sep. 10)
- Sign-on Letter to the U.S. Trade Representative on Tobacco Regulation (Jul. 20)
- Sign-on Letter to House Appropriations Committee on FDA Pre-Market Review of Tobacco Products (Jul. 7)
- Sign-on Letter to USPSTF Regarding Draft Tobacco Cessation Recommendations (Jun. 1)
Unique Device Identifiers
2018
2017
- Coalition Letter to CMS on DI in Claims (Nov. 15)
- Sign-on Letter to FDA and CMS on UDI in Claims (May 17)
2015
- Sign-on Comments to CMS in Support of UDI in EHRs (Dec. 15)
- Sign-on Letter to Ways & Means Chairman Kevin Brady on UDIs in Medicare Claims (Jun. 11)
- Sign-on Letter to CMS on UDIs in Electronic Health Records (May 29)
- Sign-on Letter to HHS Secretary Burwell on UDIs in Electronic Health Records (Jan. 20)
Other
2020
2019
- STS Endorses Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act (Dec. 16)
- STS Joins PCRC Letter to CMS on Measure Testing (Dec. 11)
- Coalition Letter of Support for the Investment in Tomorrow’s Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act (Oct. 24)
- Coalition Letter to Congress on Surprise Billing (Oct. 16)
- STS Letter to Congress in Support of the Protection for Veterans’ Burn Pit Exposure (Oct. 1)
- Coalition Letter to CMS on Prior Authorization (Sept. 19)
- Coalition Letter of Support for Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 (Sept. 9)
- Coalition Letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee on Surprise Billing (Jul. 16)
- PCRC Letter to AMA Board of Trustees on Deidentified Data (Jul. 9)
- Letter of Support for VACCINES Act (Jun. 14)
- Letter of Support for Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act (Jun. 11)
- Letter of Support for Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (Jun. 11)
- PCRC Comments to ONC and CMS on Interoperability and Information Blocking (Jun. 3)
- STS Comments to ONC on Interoperability and Information Blocking (Jun. 3)
- STS Comments to CMS on TAVR (May 30)
- STS/ACC/AATS/SCAI Request to Reconsider Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair NCD (Apr. 29)
- STS/ACC/AATS/SCAI Comments on Proposed Decision Memo for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (Apr. 25)
- STS Comments OPTN UNOS Proposals (Mar. 13)
- Gun Violence Research Letter (Feb. 21)
- PCRC Comments on HIPAA RFI (Feb. 12)
- Coalition Letter on the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (Feb. 1)
2018
- STS Comments on OPTN/UNOS Proposed Rule (Oct. 10)
- Letter to Senate in Support of Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (Oct. 9)
- Multisociety Comments to CMS on TAVR National Coverage Analysis (Jul. 27)
- STS Comments to MedPAC on Comparative Effectiveness Research (May 29)
- PIPC Comments to MedPAC on Comparative Effectiveness Research (May 9)
- STS Feedback on OPTN/UNOS Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee Proposals (Mar. 23)
- STS Feedback on Price Transparency in Health Care (Mar. 20)
- STS Position Statement on Maintenance of Certification
2017
- AIM Coalition Letter to CMMI on Principles (Nov. 20)
- STS Comments on OPTN/UNOS Regional Review Board Guidance for Adult Congenital Heart Disease Exception Requests (Sep. 28)
- Friends of NQF Sign-on Letter to Speaker Ryan (Sept. 14)
- Coalition Letter of Support for H.R. 3161, The Medicare Part B Home Infusion Services Temporary Transitional Payment Act (Jul. 12)
- Coalition Letter to CMS on QCDR Measure Review & Application Process (Jul. 11)
- STS Letter of Support for Medical Liability Reform Legislation HR 1704, ACCESS Act of 2017 (May 17)
- CMSS Letter to President Trump and House Leadership on Immigration Executive Order (Feb. 13)
- Sign-on Letter to President Trump on Vaccine Safety (Feb. 7)
- Council of Medical Specialty Societies Sign-on Letter on Healthcare Priorities (Jan. 25)
2016
- STS Congratulates Rep. Tom Price on Selection for Appointment to HHS Secretary (Dec. 2)
- STS Signs Registry Coalition Letter to CMS on QCDR Consolidation (Oct. 29. 2016)
- STS Comments on Revised Proposed Changes to UNOS Adult Heart Allocations System (Oct. 18)
- Registry Coalition Sign-on Letter to CMS on Access to Medicare Claims Data (Aug. 31)
- AMA Sign-on Letter to CMS on Restoring the Refinement Panel (Aug. 23)
- STS Congratulates Robert Califf for FDA Commissioner Confirmation (Mar. 30)
- Registry Coalition Comments to CMS on Access to Medicare Claims Data (Mar. 29)
- STS Comments to CMS on Access to Medicare Claims Data (Mar. 28)
- STS Comments on Proposed Changes to the UPTN/UNOS Adult Heart Allocations System (Mar. 8)
- STS Nominates Jeffrey Rich, MD to MedPAC (Mar. 7
- STS Comments to CMS on Episode Groups (Feb. 15)
- Sign-on Endorsement of Linda Barney to the CPT Editorial Panel (Feb. 15)
- Sign-on Letter to CMS on 2016 PQRS Review Process (Feb. 9)
- STS Comments to Senate Finance Committee on Chronic Care Working Group Policy Options Document (Jan. 20)
2015
- Sign-on Letter to Representative Holding on the Fair Medical Audits Act of 2015 (H.R. 2568) (Dec. 3)
- STS Letter of Support for Robert Califf as FDA Commissioner (Nov. 9)
- STS Letter to the Joint Commission on Proposed Cardiac Center Certification Program (Jul. 15)
- STS Comments to Senate Finance Committee on Improving Care for Chronic Conditions (Jun. 17)
- STS MedPAC Nomination Letter for Jeffrey B. Rich, MD (Mar. 13)
- Registry Coalition 21st Century Cures (H.R. 6) Comment Letter (Feb. 19)