Advocate with ASPS in Your State
Heightened advocacy messaging at a grassroots level and on-the-ground leadership generally result in better outcomes. As a result, ASPS strives to collaborate with local, state and regional plastic surgery societies through the ASPS State Partnership Program whenever advocacy initiatives occur. These efforts become even more effective with additional resources – which is why ASPS provides individual grants of up to $10,000 to the societies to advocate on legislation and/or regulations that affect plastic surgeons and their patients.
In FY2020, the grant program saw four states receive funding:
- The Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons to combat the expansion of independent practice and the imposition of unfair regulations on office-based surgeries
- The New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons to continue efforts to improve out-of-network billing regulation implementation and to advance legislation related to increased access to breast reconstruction
- The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons to create and develop an awareness campaign to support truth in advertising legislation
- The Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons to remedy decisions by the state medical board regarding truth in advertising and assist with shaping state regulations surrounding medical spas
ASPS has already received multiple grant inquiries for FY2021, and funds will be available through June 2021. Applications must come from local, state and regional society leaders, so please urge yours to apply. Grant applications and awardee determinations are made on a rolling basis; interested societies are encouraged to apply immediately to ensure the best chance at securing funding.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Gabrielle Koenig, Senior Government Affairs Associate, at gkoenig@plasticsurgery.org or (317) 847-6115.