As with any year, the past 12 months brought their share of successes, as well as challenges to our Society. Fortunately, we didn’t tackle the issues impacting our specialty alone; instead, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) took the lead in creating partnerships across the health care ecosystem to collaborate and achieve real results. And, in areas where we haven’t yet made significant progress, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger future.
You’ll see much more detail on our 2023 accomplishments in this report, but here are a few key highlights.
Our most visible advocacy successes over the past year were in support of our profession and our patients. ASA’s state advocacy team, working arm in arm with our component societies, ran the table, beating back nursing scope-of-practice expansion legislation in 18 states, and defeating the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact in seven states. We also had a strong year in protecting medical titles at the state level with robust legislation in Oregon and Georgia, and a new truth-in-advertising law in North Dakota. Our Safe VA Care campaign aimed at protecting physician-led care in the nation’s largest health care system saw legislation introduced in both houses of Congress that would block the changes sought by the nursing administration, and we’ve worked with two of the most influential Veterans Service Organizations—the Vietnam Veterans of America and the American Legion—to ensure that their voice in support of the highest quality care for the nation’s Veterans is heard.
On the payment front, we supported the Texas Medical Association in its four lawsuits challenging the flawed rollout of the No Surprises Act. Our partnership with the American College of Radiology and the American College of Emergency Physicians provided a solid foundation for our joint amicus briefs, which were specifically cited in the court’s favorable rulings. And, while the long-term results of these four legal victories are still not fully known, it is certain that winning all four was far better than losing.
Although we worked tirelessly, any candid assessment of the past year needs to acknowledge the lack of substantial gains on Medicare payment. Given the history of the past 30 years, this is not wholly surprising. While we fought the proposed 10% fee schedule cut for 2023 down to about 4%, it’s hard to couch this as a significant victory for our members. However, the Administrative Council is exploring a full range of options that may be available to us to address unsustainable Medicare payments. And, reflecting the importance of collaboration within the health care ecosystem, we are also partnering with the Surgical Care Coalition and the American Medical Association to confront this problem.
The year was also a time of significant transition within ASA. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Pomerantz retired at the end of December and Brian Reilly, our chief operating officer for the past several years, took the reins as CEO on January 1, 2024. Mr. Pomerantz has been an extraordinary leader, making a lasting impact on ASA during his decade-long tenure at the helm.
In addition, we announced the appointment of James. P. Rathmell, MD, MBA, as Anesthesiology’s new editor-in-chief, effective as of the beginning of 2024, and I passed the presidential baton to Ronald L. Harter, MD, FASA, at the conclusion of our House of Delegates meeting in October.
One of the highlights of my term as president was hearing from our members. Whether your comments were supportive or instructive, I’m pleased by all that we accomplished together this year and the foundation we’ve laid for the future of the Society. As with any foundation, there is, of necessity, more work to be done, but ASA is in good hands with the incoming leadership of Dr. Harter, Mr. Reilly, and our outstanding Executive Committee, Administrative Council, Board of Directors, House of Delegates, and ASA staff.
It has been a privilege and an honor serving as your president.
