Open AccessWashington Committee for Neurological Surgery: The Evolution of Neurosurgery's Involvement in Public Policy
Author(s) -
Ann R. Stroink,
Katie O. Orrico,
James Bean
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1093/neuros/nyab269
Subject(s) - medicine , reimbursement , legislation , current procedural terminology , neurosurgery , health care , liability , public administration , public health , health policy , family medicine , nursing , surgery , law , political science
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Washington Committee was formed in 1975 to establish a means for neurosurgery to influence federal health care policy. In response to growing federal health care legislation and regulation, the Washington Committee expanded from its original six members in 1975 to 35 invited liaisons and members by 2020. The Washington Committee, through the Washington Office, expanded political lobbying capacity into numerous important areas of health care policy, including Current Procedural Terminology coding and Medicare reimbursement, Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, healthcare quality oversight, emergenc medical services, treatment guidelines, treatment outcome registries, medical liability reform, research funding, and information dissemination. Over 45 yr, the Washington Committee has become an indispensable resource for shaping public policy affecting neurosurgery training, research, and practice.