STS News, Fall 2021 — More than 50 cardiothoracic surgeons, trainees, medical students, and other STS members participated in the Society’s Virtual Advocacy Conference this past September. STS members met with lawmakers and enlightened them about issues that can help improve care for cardiothoracic patients.
Participants connected with approximately 100 legislative decision makers during the conference. They also heard from Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), a cardiothoracic surgeon, who provided perspective about the current Congress and his focus for the remainder of 2021.
Rep. Bucshon emphasized the importance of surgeon participation in advocacy and answered questions from participants. He also explained how he helped temporarily halt Medicare reimbursement cuts for surgeons and supports tools like the STS National Database to facilitate innovation and quality improvement.
During the conference, STS members met with House and Senate representatives in Congress and their staff, urging them to take action on three issues that are especially important to the specialty.
Ask #1: Stop Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Sign an important letter led by Reps. Bucshon and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), asking Congressional leadership to stop pending payment cuts for surgeons and work on long-term reforms that would bring stability to the Medicare program. In late 2020, surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic surgery, narrowly avoided cuts to Medicare reimbursement that were set to take effect in January 2021. Congress stepped in at the last second and added new money to the Medicare pool, providing all physicians with a 3.75% increase on top of already reduced physician payments. This fix was temporary, though, and expires in January 2022. Unless Congress steps in again, cardiothoracic surgeons could see Medicare payment cuts of up to 9%. Reductions of this magnitude represent a very real threat to the financial viability of clinical practices and could limit patient access to care.
Ask #2: Support Access to Claims Data and Preserve Medicare CED
Cosponsor the Meaningful Access to Federal Health Plan Claims Data Act of 2021 sponsored by Reps. Bucshon and Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA), as well as urge Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) to include the following in the 21st Century Cures 2.0 legislation:
- Guarantee clinician-led clinical data registry access to claims data from Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Codify Medicare coverage with evidence development (CED) to ensure that patients have access to new technologies that may provide lifesaving care
Claims data, when linked with clinical outcomes data in registries such as the STS National Database, allow researchers to conduct longitudinal analyses to measure quality improvement and improve patient safety. Currently, regulatory barriers prevent registries from linking claims data with clinical outcomes data. In order to perform these studies, registries need timely, cost-effective, and continuous access to these data.
In addition, a key priority for the Society in 2021 has been preserving CED as a Medicare pathway. This would provide Medicare beneficiaries with earlier and more predictable access to coverage for new technologies.
Ask #3: Support the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act
Ask Senators and Representatives to support the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 (S.834 / H.R.2256). By 2034, a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians is expected. This bill would help mitigate the physician shortage by creating 14,000 new Medicare-supported graduate medical education (GME) slots over 7 years.
A key factor impacting the shortage of physicians is the artificial cap placed on Medicare-supported GME positions. In December 2020, Congress provided 1,000 new Medicare-supported GME positions—the first increase of its kind in nearly 25 years. While 1,000 additional positions is progress, more support is needed. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 is a step in the right direction.
A share of these new positions would be targeted to hospitals with diverse needs, including those:
- In rural areas
- Serving patients from health professional shortage areas
- In states with new medical schools or branch campuses
- Already training over their caps
The Resident Physician Reduction Act has been introduced in every Congress for more than a decade and regularly receives bipartisan support.
Miss the STS Advocacy Conference? You still can be involved!
If you could not attend the STS Advocacy Conference, you still have a chance to meet with your federal representatives.
STS members are the most effective advocates for the specialty and patients; contact the STS Government Relations office at advocacy@sts.org or 202-787-1230 for help in setting up a meeting or site visit.