Every voice counts when it comes to advocating for our patients.
From the President
By Terrence A. Cronin Jr., MD, FAAD, September 1, 2023
As you read this, I am likely on my way to the 2023 AADA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. I have been attending this annual event for years and my wish is that every member of the Academy finds the time to experience this humbling yet exhilarating event at least once in their careers!
The AADA Legislative Conference offers dermatologists the opportunity to bring critical dermatologic issues before members of Congress. Attendees include physicians, patients, patient advocates, and dermatology practice administrators. We’ve had some big names over the years join us for the educational portion of the event as well, including: Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, Michael Smerconish, George Will, Bob Woodward, and more.
Every year, we descend on Washington with a few key congressional “asks” in mind. As you likely know, we’ve been in the fight of our lives this year, advocating against existential cuts to Medicare payments. And the battle will continue in person this month.
Since 2001, the cost of operating a medical practice has increased 47%, while economy-wide inflation has risen 73%. During this time, Medicare hospital and nursing facility updates have increased by roughly 70%, significantly outpacing physician reimbursement. Additional Medicare cuts in 2022 and 2023 have made the problem even worse, and we will face further cuts in 2024.
Sources: Federal Register, Medicare Trustees' Reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Congressional Budget Office
Your Academy has been taking every action possible to avert cuts to Medicare physician payments and replace them with positive, inflation-based updates.
Thanks to our grassroots advocacy, we have had success getting short-term relief from these cuts. Recently, we were facing Medicare payment cuts of up to 10% due to the policy changes with the evaluation and management (E/M) codes, sequestration, and the budget rules associated with the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) — which requires that new legislation impacting tax and spending on entitlement programs does not increase the budget deficit. However, our advocacy efforts successfully averted the steep cuts resulting in the president signing a bill into law that included a 3% increase in the Medicare physician payment scheduled for 2022, reinstated the Medicare sequester in phases, and eliminated the 4% PAYGO budget rules and any further PAYGO cuts through 2022.
Here’s the rub: These fixes were temporary. The year is coming to an end. We must fight now to preserve our patients’ access to care in 2024 and beyond. This is where the rubber meets the road.
Take Action
Find out how you can get involved in the Academy’s advocacy efforts.
So, what can YOU do?
Planning on attending the AADA Legislative Conference this year? Great! I will see you there. Can’t make it to Washington, D.C., in person? You can still make an impact. You can: send a letter, tweet, and/or call your members of Congress and tell them why this issue matters to you and your patients. I cannot stress enough that every voice counts. Find out how you can lend us yours.
Medicare cuts have been an ongoing threat for physicians for years and grassroots advocacy is a critical component of any successful advocacy endeavor. I hope you will join me in putting an end to the threat of Medicare cuts.
Presidential spotlight
It takes a dedicated and engaged membership to move the needle on the issues facing our patients and practices, and sometimes our most diligent members can go unrecognized. As a toast to our unsung heroes within the Academy, I will be featuring hardworking members at the end of this column each month.
Dr. Laurin Council is a renowned dermatologic surgeon, educator, and tireless leader. Her dedication to our specialty is exemplified by her extraordinary commitment to service and education.
There’s an old saying that is if you want something done, you should ask a busy person. Laurin has been busy working effectively for the AAD in so many roles — on the Mohs committee, SAC, Council on Science and Research, Young Physicians Committee, as editor-in-chief of the AAD Self-Assessment Question bank, and past editor-in-chief of Dialogues in Dermatology, to name but a few of her roles. Wisely, she was recently elected to the AAD Board of Directors.
She also serves or has served on the boards of our sister societies — the ACMS, ASDS, and WDS. Her commitment to advocacy has her serving on the AAD delegation to the AMA and in her Missouri and St. Louis dermatology associations. She is also currently president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society.
She is the director of Dermatologic Surgery in the Department of Medicine (Dermatology) at Washington University and the director of their Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship.
Despite these and her wonderful family time commitments, she also recently won second place in a Cajun cook-off and is a noted University of Missouri Wind Ensemble clarinetist!
Her joyful dedication, mentorship, and leadership to dermatology is truly exceptional and a fine example for all of us. Her commitment and successful advocacy on our behalf deserve our admiration and certainly the Presidential Spotlight!
Impact Report
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