For the first time in over two years, Texas orthopaedic surgeons will return to Washington, DC, to discuss three important issues with Congress, which will consider several important health care issues before the end of the year.

 

 Medicare’s 10 percent cuts – TOA will ask the Texas Congressional Delegation to address Medicare’s scheduled 10 percent cuts, which will begin on January 1, 2022.

 

Click here to e-mail your Member of Congress about this important issue.

 

Prior authorization – TOA will educate Congress about the model prior authorization reform passed by the 2021 Texas Legislature. We will encourage Congress to pass a similar reform at the federal level.

 

Click here to learn more.

 

Protect Texans from expensive bills; military treatment facilities – The San Antonio Military Medical Center is one of only two military facilities in the nation that provides trauma care to civilians. Due to federal law, SAMMC must collect every dime from a patient, even if the facility would like to waive some of the fees. Click here to learn more about the problem.

 

The solution is simple: Congress should change the statute so that SAMMC has the flexibility to address patient payments. The Texas Legislature already has already fixed this problem as it relates to Workers’ Comp (2019) and Medicaid (2021). However, Congress has failed to act, and TOA will have to urge Congress to fix this problem on Tuesday.

 

Click here to learn more.