After a record-breaking LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE 2015, I am inspired and excited more than ever about ASA’s advocacy efforts. This year, more than 600 ASA members traveled with me to Washington, D.C., to learn about the important efforts we must make on behalf of our patients and our specialty. This is the highest attendance on record and included many first-time attendees and residents.
From May 4-6, ASA members heard from several experts about the latest political, legislative and regulatory issues impacting physician anesthesiologists at the state and federal level. The Interactive Workshop on State Advocacy was the opening program for this year’s conference and included panels on current state issues and advocacy skills. Attendees participated in informative and interactive discussions of issues being debated in our state capitals, including scope of practice, certified anesthesiologist assistants, pain medicine and the effectiveness of state public opinion polling. We also heard from ASA lawmakers...