Dr. Sohail Hasan Hosts First OPHTHPAC Speaker Series Event Of 2025
Dr. Sohail J. Hasan MD, PhD Hosts OPHTHPAC Speaker Series with Rep. Suzan DelBene
Monday, January 27, 2025 – Dr. Sohail Hasan, MD, PhD, Chair of OPHTHPAC and a senior physician at Illinois Retina Associates, hosted the first OPHTHPAC Speaker Series event of the year, featuring Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01). The virtual event brought together ophthalmologists from across the country, OPHTHPAC American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) staff, and AAO leadership to discuss critical healthcare and policy issues directly with a key congressional leader.
Rep. DelBene, now serving her seventh term in Congress, sits on the influential Ways and Means Committee and serves as Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). With a background in healthcare, immunology research, and technology, she has been a strong advocate for policies that reduce administrative burdens, protect Medicare reimbursements, and improve patient access to care.
During the discussion, Rep. DelBene shared her insights on several pressing topics:
- Medicare Payment Cuts: She addressed the impact of recent Medicare cuts on physician practices and patient access, emphasizing the need for long-term stability in Medicare reimbursement.
- Prior Authorization Reform: As a lead sponsor of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, she discussed efforts to streamline prior authorization processes and hold insurers accountable for care delays.
- Step Therapy Protections: Rep. DelBene reaffirmed her support for the Safe Step Act, which aims to increase transparency and provide patients with critical protections.
- Advocacy and Legislative Priorities: She emphasized the importance of physician engagement in advocacy, bipartisan collaboration, and the role of OPHTHPAC in shaping healthcare policy.
The event, moderated by Dr. Hasan, was open to all Academy members, reinforcing OPHTHPAC’s commitment to ensuring ophthalmology has a strong voice in Washington.
Illinois Retina Associates (IRA) and Retina Consultants of America (RCA) remain steadfast in their commitment to advocacy, ensuring that ophthalmologists can continue to provide the highest quality care to their patients. By actively engaging with policymakers, IRA and RCA help shape the future of retina care, advance our profession, and protect access to sight-saving treatments.
Dr. Hasan closed the evening by thanking Rep. DelBene for her continued leadership and dedication to advancing healthcare policies that benefit both physicians and patients.
Event Screenshot: Stay tuned for more OPHTHPAC Speaker Series events in 2025!
