The Power of You
More than 6,000 Medicare-certified ASCs provide care to America’s patients across the country. Despite the large impact the ASC community has on patient access and government savings, much of the public and elected officials do not fully understand the role ASCs play in healthcare.
ASCA’s regulatory and legislative successes are dependent on the advocacy efforts of ASCA members. Every day, policymakers make decisions on issues that directly impact facilities, staff and patients. It is critical that these policymakers understand how their decisions affect their constituents.
ASCA provides different opportunities for its members to educate and build relationships with their local and federal officials.
Write a Letter to Your Members of Congress
On February 9, the US House of Representatives and US Senate introduced H.R. 972/S. 312, the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023. Your advocacy is critical in getting the attention and support of policymakers. Please help secure the support of your members of Congress for the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act by using ASCA’s template letter to reach out and ask them to sign on to the bill as a cosponsor.
Participate in ASCA's National Advocacy Day
Come to Washington, DC, and meet with your representatives and their health staff to discuss the issues that are impacting your ASC and patients. ASCA’s National Advocacy Day provides ASCA members the opportunity to make their voices heard and build relationships with key policymakers. ASCA's 2023 National Advocacy Day is scheduled for February 27–March 1, 2023, at Washington Marriott Capitol Hill. Registration will close Tuesday, January 31.
For more information on National Advocacy Day, please contact Maia Kunkel.
Become a Grasstop Key Contact
ASCA works every day to represent the interests of the ASC community, but nothing can replace the power of constituents. ASCA’s Grasstop Key Contact program helps identify individuals who have established connections with lawmakers and are actively engaged in advocacy.
If you have a professional connection with a key policymaker, let ASCA know!
Host a Facility Tour
While ASCA continues to educate lawmakers in Washington, DC, there is no substitute for the powerful message you send when you invite your elected and appointed officials into your facility to see firsthand the quality of care that you provide and the satisfaction of your patients.
More than half of the federal legislators who have toured an ASC went on to support ASC legislation. Host a facility tour to show your policymakers how your ASC provides high-quality, low-cost care to their constituents.
Nervous to host? Not sure what to do? ASCA staff will set up a call with you to discuss how to have an effective tour. In addition, you will be provided with materials to help you prepare.
If you would like to host a tour, please contact Maia Kunkel.
Participate in National ASC Month
For the entire month of August, ASCA celebrates the ASC community by promoting awareness to the public and elected officials. ASCs host open houses and facility tours for both local and federal officials.
ASCA staff will assist you in reaching out to your policymakers to coordinate a date, as well as provide you with informational materials to ensure your tour is a success. As Congress members’ schedules fill up quickly, please contact Maia Kunkel by June to begin coordinating.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Maia Kunkel at 703.345.0286 or by email at mkunkel@ascassociation.org.