Still Time to Make an Advocacy Impact: Use ACS Advocacy at Home Resources

Nine out of 10 congressional representatives have no healthcare background, yet 100% vote on health policy issues impacting surgery.

Help the ACS educate Congress about the many issues facing surgery and surgical patients. The College needs surgeon advocates to regularly engage with and inform their lawmakers about various healthcare issues confronting the surgical community. The ACS is calling on all surgeons to participate and consider visiting with legislators so that ACS-supported priorities are heard in Washington, DC, and across the US.

By regularly participating in advocacy at home, you can help raise the profile of issues impacting surgeons and surgical patients and establish yourself as a trusted resource to members of Congress and their staff. Whether meetings occur in-person or virtually, your participation demonstrates a commitment to surgeon advocacy, particularly in developing and maintaining relationships with key elected officials who demonstrate a commitment to promoting important surgical health policy matters.

While the Advocacy at Home Program is typically limited to the August congressional recess, many surgeons have plans to visit with lawmakers in September, and the program will remain active into October when many elected officials will return home for campaigning and visiting with constituents prior to Election Day 2022.

With another round of proposed Medicare payment cuts looming, in addition to a plethora of other priorities that require Congress’s attention, time is of the essence. You can still help make an impact and ensure surgery’s voice is heard. Use SurgeonsVoice to register and request meetings with your lawmakers’ offices. Visit the Advocacy at Home web page and contact ahp@facs.org for more information.