Legislative and Political Affairs

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery believes that advocacy is the key to influencing the future and defining the specialty of otolaryngology and related policies. Advocacy also provides you the opportunity to educate your elected officials about what you do and the patients you serve.

Quick Links

Federal Legislative Advocacy
AAO-HNS 2012 Federal Elections Center
Advocacy Resources
State Advocacy
Legislative Grassroots Advocacy
Advocacy Center via Surgery State Legislative Action Center
ENT Advocacy Network
The ENT Advocate
ENTPAC

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U.S. House Passes IPAB Repeal Legislation (as of 12:40 pm March 22, 2012)
On March 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed (223-181) legislation (H.R. 5) to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Passage of this important legislation sends a clear message that Congress believes it should retain its rightful authority over the Medicare program. An unelected, unaccountable government body with minimal oversight should not be allowed to jeopardize access to the quality healthcare for our nation’s senior citizens. The version of H.R. 5 passed today also included medical liability reform provisions supported by the AAO-HNS.

Although it is unlikely that the U.S. Senate will consider the House-passed legislation, the AAO-HNS and others in the physician community will continue working to broaden support for IPAB repeal and stress the dangers of another arbitrary, SGR-like mechanism within the Medicare program. The AAO-HNS will also continue encouraging Congressional leaders to allow a “clean” vote on the original IPAB repeal bill, H.R. 452.

On March 19, the AAO-HNS signed a coalition letter supporting H.R. 5, which encompasses the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).


AAO-HNS Legislative Priorities:

AAO-HNS 2012 Federal Legislative Priorities

• View the 112th Congressional Scorecard to see if your Representatives support AAO-HNS priorities.

AAO-HNS 2012 State Legislative Priorities


AAO-HNS Advocacy Center via Surgery State Legislative Action Center

Federal Action Alert: Contact your federal legislators TODAY and urge them to support an extension past June 30, 2012, for Version 5010 compliance.

Federal Action Alert: AAO-HNS Members Urged to Contact their U.S. Senators on a Critical Health Reform Issue

Federal Action Alert: Contact your U.S. Representative TODAY and urge him/her to support clarity and transparency in healthcare advertisements!

Federal Action Alert: Oppose audiologists’ unlimited direct access to Medicare Patients!

Federal Action Alert: Support comprehensive medical liability reform legislation!

CA State Action Alert: ACT NOW to Oppose Audiology Workers' Compensation Scope Expansion

NY State Action Alert: Act Now to Oppose Non-Physician Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Scope Expansion Bill! 

NY State Action Alert: Expand Patient Access by Enabling Physician Practices to Dispense Hearing Aids For Profit.