Advocacy and Policy

Improving Population Health Takes a Broader Approach

Primary care is essential—but improving population health also requires recognizing the social, behavioral, and structural factors that influence outcomes.

In a new STAT perspective, Thomas Tsai, MD, MPH, FACS, Medical Director of Health Policy Research at ACS, and Christopher Childers, MD, PhD, Surgical Oncologist at the University of Washington, argue that improving health outcomes requires looking beyond physician payment and taking a broader view of the factors that shape health.

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Improving Population Health Takes a Broader Approach

The Issues We Track

Federal Legislation

Our health policy agenda consists of a variety of issues to serve practicing surgeons, including Medicare physician payment, medical liability reform, and more.

State Legislation

We know state legislatures can often meet the needs of citizens in a way that Congress cannot. This can directly impact surgeons, making it even more important to be involved in grassroots advocacy.

Regulatory

We analyze and advocate on regulations that affect surgeons and surgical care.

The Latest from the ACS

Advocacy

Transforming Episode Accountability Model

Learn how Medicare’s TEAM model reshapes surgical episode payments, requiring 700+ hospitals to manage cost and quality through 2030.

Bulletin

Gaps in E-Bike Regulation Heighten Risks for Young Riders

Rising pediatric e-bike injuries mirror motor vehicle trauma due to gaps in US federal regulations.

Viewpoint

Voice of Surgeons Is Amplified Through Grassroots Advocacy

Coordinated surgeon engagement in advocacy efforts helps shape policy regarding reimbursement and patient care.

ACS Advocacy Brief Issues

Quality Payment Program Resource Center

Find help navigating the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Learn how scoring works, what each category entails, and how it affects your pay.

Visit the Center

Raise Your Voice

Get Involved

Are you interested in getting more involved in advocacy and health policy or learning more about becoming a surgeon advocate representing your patients and profession? Our advocacy resources can help.

SurgeonsVoice Advocacy Center

This interactive tool makes it easy for you to see the legislative issues at play in your state and seamlessly connects you to the right representatives to provide your perspective.