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The ACS New York Chapter is actively  working to add the surgeon voice to the major legislative debates on issues including access to care, single payer health care, tobacco purchase, recreational marijuana in addition to many other bills.  Visit the SurgeonsVoice Action Center to see a list of all of the active issues.

With your support, the Chapter is positioned to promote and represent the viewpoints of the surgeon community before State and Federal legislative, regulatory and executive agencies.  The Chapter  sends alerts and online tools to help you respond quickly to elected officials and educate them on the impact of their policies. Moreover, Chapter staff can assist you in developing personal relationships with elected officials as well as provide forums with Chapter leadership to uncover prevailing issues and address concerns.

    2024 Priorities

    • Support Reductions in Administrative and Regulatory Burdens
    • Seek Utilization Management Reforms
    • Support Efforts to Increase Interoperability in Electronic Health Systems
    • Promote Efforts to Appropriately Link Surgical Quality with Alternative Payment Models
    • Support Comprehensive Medical Liability Reform
    • Oppose Inappropriate Scope Expansions
    • Further investigate the impact of universal coverage and a single payer system in NY


    2022 Legislative Session Recap: The legislative session ended the first week of June. Overall, the session was a success for the NY Chapter ACS resulting in the enactment of telehealth payment parity, maintaining funding for Physician Excess Medical Malpractice without any changes to eligibility, and helping to defeat inappropriate scope of practice expansions. The Chapter was able to secure passage in both the Senate and Assembly for Chest Wall Reconstruction (S.7881/A.8537) and Colorectal Cancer Screenings at 45 (S.906B/A.2085B).  Both bills were signed by the Governor. The NY Chapter ACS also promoted prior authorization reforms which has helped to set stage and momentum for action in 2023.

    2022 Advocacy Target Issues:

    Prior Authorization Reform
    Support: Prior Authorization Proposed Gold Card Program (S.8299 RULES/A.9908A INSURANCE) 
    Support: Prior Authorization Utilization Review (S.6435A RULES /A.7129A INSURANCE)
    Support: Carter's Law - Give Kids a Chance (S.24 / A1943 Insurance Committees)

    Trauma
    Call for a Study on the NYS Trauma System and Disaster Preparedness
    Support: Stop the Bleed Training in High School Health Education Classes
    Support: Stop the Bleed Kits in Schools (A.6462 Held for Consideration)

    Cancer
    Support: Provide Coverage for Chest Wall Reconstruction (S.7881/A.8537)   PASSED
    Support: Colorectal Cancer Screenings at 45 (S.906B/A.2085B)  PASSED

      What would have happened in the state  if the Chapter was not in existence and could not amplify the surgeon’s voice? 

      • Inappropriate scope expansions by podiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, physician assistants, naturopaths, optometrists and estheticians
      • Creation of a single payer health system in New York

      What did happen with the support of the New York Chapter's advocacy efforts

      • Passage of resolution proclaiming May as Stop the Bleed Month in New York
      • Passage of legislation to provide insurance coverage for chest wall reconstruction
      • Passage of legislation to provide colorectal cancer screenings at the age of 45.

      About us

      Uniting efforts to improve the quality of surgical practice in New York and care to surgical patients.

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      Contact us

      New York Chapter American College of Surgeons
      150 State Street, Floor 4, Albany NY 12207 
      Phone: (518) 953-5401 |  Fax: (518) 514-1424

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