Stephen P. Cragle, MD, became the first AAO-HNS member of the newly revamped Project 535 to host a congressional site visit at his practice, St. Cloud Ear, Nose, and Throat, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on July 9. He welcomed House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s (R-MN) State Chief of Staff and others, offering a firsthand look at the realities of rural medical practice and the challenges of maintaining a private practice.
As a rural physician, Dr. Cragle used the opportunity to highlight the unique obstacles he and his partners face, including limited resources, workforce shortages, and regulatory burdens. He also proposed the formation of a local physician advisory group to assist Congressman Emmer in navigating complex healthcare issues and responding to legislative proposals impacting the medical community.
Congressional site visits like this are invaluable for educating lawmakers and their staff about the daily work of otolaryngologists and the essential healthcare services they provide to quality care across their districts. These one-on-one meetings allow physicians to demonstrate the rewards and difficulties of clinical practice while building relationships with key decision-makers.
Dr. Cragle organized the visit as part of his involvement in Project 535—an AAO-HNS initiative that empowers members to serve as advocates by engaging directly with their federal lawmakers. By joining Project 535, you too can share your expertise, influence policy, and advocate for the needs of the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery community.
Whether you’re focused on Medicare payment reform, prior authorization, access to care, or hearing health and patient safety, your voice matters! You can and will make a difference.
