Politically in Tune

By Marshall E. Hicks MD, FSIR
SIR President

Competing to be heard among the chorus of presidential candidates, parties, issue groups and their advertising blitz this election year is difficult. While small when compared to other national health care associations, SIR still can pack a solid punch when it comes to defending and promoting interventional radiology—but we need your continued help to strengthen IR’s voice with key decision makers.

Through SIRPAC—the Society’s nonpartisan political action committee dedicated to advancing the interests of SIR members, their practices and patients before Congress—we can help elect or re-elect political candidates who may help advance the Society’s public policy mission and legislative initiatives. As the election approaches, your contributions become even more critical to the success of IR. Your contribution helps us support candidates who focus on medical reimbursement, drug shortages, medical malpractice reform, appropriateness and accreditation standards, scope of practice, and medical research and funding.

SIR continues to meet with members of Congress to share its ideas about policy reform since Congress and the administration have made it no secret that they intend to revamp the current Medicare fee-for-service system and replace it with an alternative payment system. Delivery system model reform will be one of the key driving forces behind overall health care reform as we approach the next Congress and presidency.  SIR has introduced and educated Congress about its efforts to promote quality and efficiency, as Congress and CMS look for new payment reform models that move away from the traditional fee-for-service system. SIR has offered input into key legislative issues, such as medical malpractice reform and drug shortages. Most recently, SIR provided comments on efforts to improve health care outcomes and efficiency in the Medicare program to members of the Health Subcommittee of House Ways and Means Committee, an influential body charged with writing tax legislation and bills affecting Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs. SIR’s response will be used to review value-based measures and practice arrangements for improving outcomes and efficiencies in Medicare and reforming the sustainable growth rate.

Ensure representation: I want to thank all members who helped Save Our Seat on the AMA House of Delegates by joining or renewing memberships. For 20 years, SIR held an AMA seat, allowing us to send advisers to both the CPT Editorial Panel meetings and the RBRVS Update Committee (RUC). These are the only venues where new CPT codes are vetted and then receive a physician work value that is forwarded to CMS. By keeping our seat, your AMA membership ensures that IRs will defend IR. I know that many physicians disagree with many AMA policies; however, those who joined or renewed understand that our aim was not simply to maintain our seat and keep the status quo but to seize this opportunity to be an instrument of change—to promote progress and reform from within.

Continue appropriate value: SIR continues to have a strong presence at coding and reimbursement venues. For 2013, new CPT codes for carotid angiography, chest tube procedures and thrombolysis will be introduced. Thank you to our volunteer members who spearhead the work in this process and invest countless hours to ensure fair valuation for IR procedures. If we don’t participate aggressively in these forums, the consequences would be detrimental to our specialty.

Make a difference: Finally, I want to ask that you consider serving your Society. Volunteers don’t get paid—not because they’re worthless, but because they are priceless. During this election year, please consider volunteering for an elected or appointed position or as a member on our diverse committees.

If we’re politically in tune, we can strengthen IR’s voice. Please consider helping: As you can see, the common element to success in these efforts is you.

Please Note

SIRPAC’s ability to support key leaders is directly dependent on your generous support. If you have not done so in the past, please consider contributing to SIRPAC. If you have contributed in the past, we sincerely appreciate your contributions and hope you will consider donating again.