ASCRS News: Government Relations Update
Spring 2026
by Susanne Hewitt, MD
ASCRS Government Relations Committee Chair
Since going into effect at the beginning of the year, the 11% cut to cataract reimbursement is a harsh reality that ophthalmologists are now facing. But you don’t have to deal with this alone. ASCRS and the Government Relations team are still actively fighting against this change, and we need your help. Stop by and see us in the Tap Room in the Exhibit Hall during the ASCRS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., where ASCRS Government Relations staff and ASCRS Government Relations Committee members will be throughout the meeting. Learn more about the important efforts we’re making to protect ophthalmology and how you can get involved.
You can help our efforts by supporting eyePAC, the first ophthalmology-focused political action committee. Your contribution:
- Strengthens our advocacy efforts;
- Helps us build relationships with key congressional health committee members; and
- Enables us to support candidates who champion your priorities.
The more allies we have in Congress, the more pressure we can apply to agencies like CMS and the FDA—and the greater our chances of achieving meaningful reform. Your support of eyePAC directly fuels our fight to protect cataract surgery and preserve your ability to deliver high-quality care.
Donors to eyePAC are invited to join us at the eyePAC VIP Reception during the ASCRS Annual Meeting on Friday, April 10, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. in The Dignitary at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. Join fellow eyePAC donors and ASCRS leaders for food and drink as we say thank you for helping make eyePAC successful.
Sessions at the Annual Meeting
A focus on government issues will be a key component of the SightLine at ASCRS program on Thursday, April 9. ASCRS Government Relations staff and other experts in the field will discuss important topics in reimbursement, the FDA, and how to navigate relationships in these areas.
The annual Government Relations Symposium will take place from 3:30–5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, and will feature guest speaker Ron Brownstein. Mr. Brownstein is a CNN Senior Political Analyst, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist, and former Senior Editor for The Atlantic. He has been recognized repeatedly for the quality of his political reporting. Mr. Brownstein has experience providing analysis on politics, policy, the electorate, media, healthcare, and the range of issues informed by his strong sense of American political and national history. He has authored several books, as well as numerous articles across a variety of newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Vanity Fair, The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
Mr. Brownstein will provide insights into healthcare legislation and the politics of healthcare, key topics that are impacting ophthalmologists on a daily basis. His extensive experience covering healthcare over the last 30 years gives him a unique perspective to be able to address policy options, trends, and political pressures at play, on both the federal and state levels.
Coverage, cost of procedures, reimbursement, and continuing changes to legislative and regulatory practices remain a key concern in ophthalmology, not only for physicians, but also from the patient and insurance side, and Mr. Brownstein has the knowledge and ability to address how these have been impacted in the current administration and how they may progress in the future.
Additionally, several courses on the ASOA Annual Meeting program will cover topics relating to the MIPS program, billing, reimbursement changes, and more. “Impact of Reimbursement Changes: Where Do You Stand at the End of First Quarter,” “Mastering MIPS 2026: Strategies for Success in Ophthalmology Reporting,” “Mastering the MIPS Calendar: Structuring Your Year for Success,” and “Navigating Promoting Interoperability: When and How to Report for Maximum Impact” are just a few courses covering these areas. Check the ASOA program for more relevant topics.
