AAOS Advocacy Podcast

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently went through a comprehensive multi-year process to re-imagine its core focus and aspirational state to be the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health. Members of the AAOS Presidential Line provide behind-the-scenes perspective that explores the need for change, and how these changes provide a foundation for greater collaboration, innovation, learning opportunities and benefits for current and future members, patients and the larger musculoskeletal community. More on AAOS’ proposed governance changes: https://www.aaos.org/about/meet-aaos/proposed-governance-changes/ Moving Forward: AAOS Board of Directors Approves New Strategic Plan, (AAOS Now, April 2024): https://www.aaos.org/aaosnow/2024/march-april/commentary/commentary01/   Look Towards the Future, (AAOS Now, August 2024), https://www.aaos.org/aaosnow/2024/aug/youraaos/youraaos01 Host:  Valerae O. Lewis, MD, FAAOS, AAOS Membership Council Chair  Guests:  Paul Tornetta III, MD, PhD, FAAOS, AAOS President   Annunziato (Ned) Amendola, MD, FAAOS, AAOS First Vice President   Joel Mayerson, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, AAOS Board of Councilors Chair

This episode covers an array of topics related to increasing consolidation within the healthcare system, from banning non-competes to tightening cybersecurity. OrthoForum CEO Karen Simonton offers her perspective and wealth of knowledge, having worked with orthopaedic groups over the last decade, on how this changing landscape is impacting private practices and their ability to provide care.   Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council Guest: Karen Simonton, CEO, OrthoForum

Comedian and ophthalmologist Dr. Will Flanary, better known as Dr. Glaucomflecken by his 4 million followers on social media, recently sat down for an exclusive interview during the AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting. He shared his story of going from patient to accidental healthcare advocate and explained how he uses medical satire to entertain and bring attention to key public policy issues.    Guest: Will Flanary, MD, AKA Dr. Glaucomflecken, comedian and opthamologist  Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council 

Recorded on Monday, February 12 at the AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting, this episode sits down with the current and former chairs of the AAOS Orthopaedic PAC to celebrate its 25th anniversary. They discuss its new logo and tagline, key milestones and advocacy victories over the years, the importance of political engagement for physicians, as well as on-site opportunities at the meeting for AAOS members to learn more. Guests: Wayne Johnson MD, FAAOS, FACS, Chair, AAOS Orthopaedic PAC; Stuart Weinstein, MD, FAAOS, Past-Chair, AAOS Orthopaedic PAC  Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council

In this episode, returning guest and health policy researcher Brian Miller, MD, talks about the opportunity physicians have to improve care for patients outside of their regular practice. From engaging in advocacy efforts to lending their unique perspective in policy discussions, doctors can be instrumental in finding creative solutions to today’s challenges like artificial intelligence, vertically integrated systems and stark law reform.    Guest: Brian Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, Nonresident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute  Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council 

In this episode, we talk about the future of orthopaedics and the policy challenges facing our newest surgeons. Resident leader Kevin Weisz, MD, who recently attended the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., shares his perspective on issues such as prior authorization, safety in the workplace, as well as reimbursement.  Guest: Kevin Weisz, MD, Member, Health Policy Committee and PAC Executive Council Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council

Now more than ever, physicians are experiencing instability and uncertainty in their payment reimbursement. This episode addresses the gap between physician reimbursements and the rising costs of running a medical practice continues to widen in addition to other important legislative issues.     Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) has been a champion for finding a long-term solution to put physicians back on level playing field with the rising costs of medicine. As a lead sponsor of Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) she’s helping to avoid a yearly race to get Congress to intervene and protect patients’ access to Medicare.    Guests: Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02)  Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council 

As the shift towards value-based healthcare reform gains momentum, there will be major strategic and organizational changes to how care delivery is redesigned, measured, and reimbursed. This episode delves into the realm of value-based care, exploring fundamental concepts related to alternative payment models in clinical orthopaedics, and how Patient Reported Outcome Measures impact individual patient care, as well as their role in new population health measures with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.   Guests: Eric Makhni, MD, MBA, FAAOS with the Henry Ford Health  and Prakash Jayakumar, MD, PHD with the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School  Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council