Why is Advocating for Physiatry Important? Academy Members Share Their Experiences

Members & Publications

June 14, 2017

Lobby Day, which is also known as Advocacy Day, is an annual event across the country, in which special interest groups meet with legislative staff and politicians at various levels of government (state and federal) to educate, advocate, and garner support for legislation relevant to their group. For physiatrists, it is an opportunity to come together as a group to advocate for the changes that are important to your patients and our specialty. 

One recent example of a specific state effort is the New York Lobby Day that took place on March 8, 2017 in Albany, NY. It was organized by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), which represents the interests of patients and physicians in an ongoing effort to assure quality health care services for all New Yorkers.

We connected with a few Academy members who attended to learn about their experience and why it’s so important for other physiatrists to get involved in their own states. 

Read the full article in your June issue of The Physiatrist!

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.