Moderator: John G. Finkenberg, MD
As the recognized thought leader in fostering and delivering high quality and innovative care, NASS and its members are playing a critical role in advocating on behalf of spine care providers at the federal level. The current state of the U.S. healthcare system is at a crossroad and is increasingly becoming more difficult for physicians, medical providers and patients to navigate. Members of Congress and federal agencies are now relying more than ever on medical societies and their members for expertise on a range of issues from Medicare physician payment reform to medical innovation. Therefore, it is necessary for spine care providers to understand the important role NASS plays to ensure that the issues affecting their practices are at the forefront of the policy discussions taking place in Washington, DC.
This symposium offers attendees greater insight about NASS’ legislative objectives and its ability to promote sound healthcare policy on behalf of patients and the spine care providers who treat them. Understanding how advocacy advances our profession’s cause ensures that NASS remains an integral part of the federal healthcare conversation. Additionally, understanding current healthcare trends offers spine care providers the necessary background information to discuss medical issues with Members of Congress and federal agency officials. New York Times No. 1 bestselling author, Mark Halperin will be a guest speaker during this Symposium. Attendees can expect to hear from Halperin about the upcoming 2016 Presidential Elections and the role healthcare will play in shaping the outcome of the race
Upon completion of this session, participants should gain strategies to:
- Recognize NASS’ current federal legislative priorities and emerging trends in healthcare policy in Washington, DC;
- Discover recent trends in Medicare payment policies and how NASS has worked with lawmakers to accomplish solid payment and delivery reforms on behalf of the spine care profession.
Agenda
- Introductory Remarks/NASS Legislative Agenda
John G. Finkenberg, MD, NASS Board of Directors, Chairman, NASS Advocacy Council
- How the SGR Repeal Law will Affect Medicare Reimbursements Moving Forward
Philip L. Schneider, MD, Member, NASS Advocacy Council
- Emerging Trends in Medicare and Third Party Reimbursement Policy
Alan S. Hilibrand, MD, NASS Board of Directors, Member, NASS Advocacy Council
- Utilization Review: Should Society Guidelines Prevail?
David A. Wong, MD, MSc, FRCS, Past President, NASS, Member, NASS Advocacy Council
- Special Guest Speaker
Mark Halperin
Special Guest Speaker
Mark Halperin is managing editor of Bloomberg Politics and host of Bloomberg TV’s With All Due Respect. He also is a regular contributor to MSNBC’s Morning Joe and the most frequent guest in the history of Charlie Rose. Prior to joining Bloomberg, Halperin served as editor-at-large and senior political analyst for TIME, covering politics, elections and government. Prior to joining TIME, Halperin worked at ABC News, where he covered five presidential elections. Additionally, Halperin founded and edited the online publication “The Note” on abcnews.com, which was characterized as the most influential daily tip sheet in American politics.