STATE | State Advocacy Grant Program Accepts FY2018 Applications
ASPS's State Advocacy Grant Program, which launched in FY2016, is an integral part of recognizing the important role that regional, state, and local plastic surgery society partners play in shaping policy that improves patients' access to care and protects the profession of plastic surgery. Through the program, ASPS provides individual grants of up to $10,000 to these partners as they work to pass, or defeat, legislation or regulations that impact plastic surgeons and their patients.
In FY2017, three state societies received grant funding:
- The California Society of Plastic Surgeons to bolster efforts to defend the definition of "board certification"
- The Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons to support their work in closing loopholes in the state's office-based surgery rule
- The Louisiana Society of Plastic Surgeons to fight changes to truth in advertising and board certification laws
The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons also received an extension of grant funding from FY2016.
In FY2018, the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (NJSPS) has been awarded $10,000 to continue its work to shape out-of-network legislation that is advancing in the state legislature. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that NJSPS has actively advocated on behalf of patients and providers on this important issue. During that time NJSPS and others in specialty medicine have worked to stave off problematic legislation. ASPS and NJSPS will continue to work together to ensure that a provider's ability to bill for out-of-network services is retained while advocating for greater transparency requirements in insurance plans and disclosure of estimated fees.
To date, several other state societies have inquired about funding. As grant applications and awardee determinations are made on a rolling basis, ASPS advocacy staff recommends any interested societies apply immediately to ensure the best chance at securing funding. If you have any questions about the ASPS State Advocacy Grant Program, please contact Patrick Hermes, Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, at phermes@plasticsurgery.org or (847) 228-3331.