STATE | ASPS Supports Plastic Surgery Societies Through New Program

While the federal government is often bogged down, state legislatures are passing bills every day that impact the practice of medicine. Often times, the laws created by state legislatures have a more direct impact on our members and their patients. Whether it's truth in advertising, scope of practice or medical liability reform legislation, these issues have real potential to move at the state level. As a result, ASPS is dedicating itself to growing its role as an active partner to help local, state and regional plastic surgery societies advocate on key state issues.

ASPS recognizes the important role local plastic surgery societies play in shaping the practice environment in their states. These societies are integral in educating physicians through CME, providing them with necessary information on state licensure and advocating on their behalf in the state legislature. In an effort to better support our plastic surgery affiliates in advocacy, ASPS has launched a new State Partnership Program, which will foster stronger relationships and help to exchange information and resources between ASPS and our local partners.

On January 20, 48 representatives from 27 local, state and regional societies joined together to learn about the three core components of this new initiative. First, ASPS is adding opportunities for financial support through the new ASPS State Advocacy Grant Program, in which societies can apply for up to $10,000 in financial assistance to combat or defend local health policy issues. Additionally, ASPS will serve as an advocacy partner by notifying local societies about key state issues introduced by their respective state legislatures, working with those societies on coordinated responses, and leveraging an ASPS web-based grassroots advocacy platform to help local, state and regional societies connect members with their state legislators. Finally, plastic surgery affiliates nationwide will be able to connect through regular conference calls hosted by ASPS, during which staff and society leadership will discuss trending state policy issues and offer supportive advice on how to advocate for these issues.

For more information on the State Partnership Program, email jfrasco@plasticsurgery.org.