Chapter Advocacy

US Capitol

The Ohio Chapter of the American College of Surgeons is the primary voice for surgeons in the state of Ohio and its members realize that democracy is not a spectator sport. In our nation, public health professionals play a significant role in decision-making processes and policy formation. As members of the public health community, Ohio Chapter members' involvement in the policy-formation process is essential. The Ohio Chapter, in coordination with its members, works with key policymakers to shape policy that addresses today's ongoing public health concerns, like:

  • Ensuring access to quality health care for all Ohioans.
  • Reducing health care providers' administrative burdens.
  • Advancing continued medical liability reforms.
  • Improving financing of health care for private and government payers.
  • Demanding direct payment of physicians by insurance companies regardless of the physician's "network affiliation."

Below are some simple things that Ohio Chapter members can do to have a positive effect on Ohio's public policy formation.

S-PAC

The Ohio Chapter believes that our political action committee (S-PAC) helps us promote our views as to how we can improve the healthcare environment in Ohio. Building those ever-important relationships with legislators allows us to help shape legislative battles. With our own political action committee, the Chapter can focus on issues that impact surgeons and make a difference for our profession.

Achieving our legislative goals is not possible without S-PAC, and that's why we need your support! There are two ways to donate:

  1. Complete the printable S-PAC Contribution Form and return it with your personal check or personal credit card payment today.
  2. Complete the S-PAC Online Contribution Form with your personal credit card information.

We thank you in advance for your support of the Ohio chapter of the American College of Surgeons Political Action Committee.

2012 S-PAC Contributors

Gold Level - $1000
William Sternfeld, MD, FACS 

Silver Level – $500
Alice Dachowski, MD, FACS
Michael Stark, MD, FACS 
Cari Ogg, MD, FACS
Gary Williams, MD, FACS 
Bronze Level – $250
Joseph Sferra, MD, FACS
Steven Steinberg, MD, FACS 

General Level – $125
Bruce Averbook, MD, FACS
Linda Barney, MD, FACS 
Michael Bielfeld, MD, FACS 
Valeriy Moysaenko, MD, FACS 

The Ohio Chapter vigorously advocates on important public health issues year round. Your participation will help because legislators listen to what their constituents have to say — constituents, after all, are a legislator's first priority.Advocacy Resource Center

The following resources will provide you with all of the information and materials you need to contact your policymakers and be successful in your advocacy efforts.

Lobbying Handbook
How a Bill Becomes Law - Flowchart
Tips for Meeting With Your Elected Officials

Tips For Communicating With Your Legislators
Ten Things Legislative Staff Hate to Hear
Tips for Writing Your Policymaker
Advocacy "Do's and Don'ts"

Please remember you are not alone in your advocacy efforts. The Chapter Executive Office can assist you every step of the way! Let us know how we can help you.

Take Action

Follow these simple steps to locate your policymaker.

  1. Type your zip code into the "Write Your Legislators" box to the right (make sure you do this for both your home and where you practice because the elected leaders may differ) and click "Go".
  2. You will be transferred to the Surgery State Legislative Action Center. This page shows a partial list of elected officials who represent you. To obtain additional elected officials, you must enter your address. (Remember, home and practice addresses may produce different legislators. You are encouraged to check both addresses.) Click on “Go”. 
  3. After pressing “Go”, a list of your state senators and state representatives, along with your congressional representative are listed. Other links to government agencies and local governments are also listed at the bottom of this page. 
  4. If you click on one of your elected officials, you are taken to a page that offers a short biography, a contact page, and listing of committees they serve on. 
  5. Make your voice heard on surgical issues that you feel are important.

Locating and familiarizing yourself with your representatives is the first step in changing the medical-political landscape. Start today!

Annual Legislative DinnerOhio Legislative Day logo

The Ohio Chapter, ACS and the Ohio Committee on Trauma (OCOT) are pleased to invite you to participate in this year’s Legislative Dinner. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2016
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Lindey’s, 169 E. Beck Street, Columbus
 

CLICK HERE to register.

The Legislative Dinner is free for Ohio Chapter and OCOT members. 
You must register by Thursday, April 11th to attend. 

Our Legislative Dinner brings together Ohio surgeons and elected officials to help form productive relationships that will enhance the legislature’s ability to enact sound policies.  

It begins with a reception at 5:30pm and follows with dinner at 6:00pm. This dinner provides you an opportunity to meet with state legislators for informal, yet candid discussions on issues important to the surgical profession. 

Advocacy Contacts

Capitol Consulting Group, Ohio Chapter's lobbying team, continues to work diligently to ensure that the voices of Ohio's surgeons are heard in policy debates taking place in Columbus. If you have any questions or concerns about issues before the Ohio General Assembly, contact Dan Jones, or Belinda Jones at Capitol Consulting Group by calling (614) 224-3855.

The Executive Office is always ready to assist you as well and can be contacted at toll-free at (877) 677-3227, or email Jennifer Starkey at jennifer@executive-office.org.

American College of Surgeons National Advocacy Initiatives

See what advocacy efforts are being followed at the federal level by visiting the American College of Surgeons Advocacy and Health Policy Portal.