Advocacy

Fifty-five STS advocates gathered in Washington, DC, on March 4 to engage with lawmakers on important policy issues, including protecting Medicare reimbursement and NIH research funding, and expanding access to lung cancer screenings. Participants from 23 states and the District of Columbia met with more than 110 Senate and House offices, while also participating in various off-the-Hill events and meetings with lawmakers.

The timing of this event was especially critical, as Washington, DC, is currently engaged in negotiations over government funding. Our advocates took this opportunity to present the priorities for the STS, its members, patients, and the communities they serve. Throughout the day, advocates worked to educate lawmakers and their staff, urging them to address the ongoing threats to research funding and physician reimbursement.

Leadership Efforts Drive Key Healthcare Legislation and Recognition

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Dr. Tessa London-Bounds, STS 2025 Advocate of the Year, along with Amanda Crabtree, RN, shared their experiences as advocates, highlighting their work to improve access to care for Kentucky patients. Their advocacy efforts led to the unanimous passing of House Bill 31 by the Kentucky legislature, which allows Medicaid patients to use at-home blood testing machines. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on April 4, 2024, just four months after its introduction.

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Dr. Keith Naunheim, presented Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) with the 2025 STS Legislator of the Year award. As a longtime ally for STS, Rep. Miller-Meeks has championed efforts to address cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. She also played a key role in promoting the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act through the House of Representatives. Additionally, her leadership was instrumental in spearheading a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter last year that garnered 232 signatures in support of physician reimbursements. 
 

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) opposes significant reductions to Medicaid funding that could limit access to essential care for millions of low-income Americans, including those with serious lung and heart conditions. Medicaid is a critical safety net, covering nearly one in five Americans and supporting patients who require specialized treatment.

Cuts to Medicaid funding could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, strain hospitals and providers, and increase reliance on emergency care. This includes children with congenital heart disease, many of whom depend on Medicaid for lifesaving treatment.

“As cardiothoracic surgeons, we see how Medicaid ensures timely, specialized care for those who need it most,” said STS President Joseph F. Sabik III, MD. “Significant reductions in funding could delay necessary treatment and worsen health outcomes.”

STS urges policymakers to preserve Medicaid’s vital role in the healthcare system and explore solutions that maintain access to high-quality care, particularly for underserved communities.

About STS
Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 7,800 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied healthcare professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society’s mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.