Illinois Retina Associates Physician Leads National Advocacy Effort
On March 17, 2025, Dr. Sohail Hasan, MD, PhD Chair of the Retina Consultants of America (RCA) Advocacy Committee and Chair of OPHTHPAC, hosted the first RCA Advocacy Committee Meeting of the year. This virtual meeting brought together RCA physicians, RCA staff, and key advocacy staff from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) Washington, D.C. office to discuss critical issues affecting ophthalmologists and patient access to care.
The discussion focused on several important topics, including:
✅ Medicare Physician Payment Reform – Addressing ongoing challenges with physician reimbursement to ensure access to high-quality eye care.
✅ Prior Authorization Reform – Reducing unnecessary delays that can prevent patients from receiving timely treatment.
✅ Veterans Affairs Scope of Practice – Advocating for policies that ensure only trained ophthalmologists perform complex eye surgeries within VA medical centers.
✅ Congressional Advocacy Day – Coordinating efforts to engage lawmakers on key issues impacting patients and physicians.
Advocacy plays a vital role in shaping the future of ophthalmology, ensuring that both patients and physicians have a voice in healthcare policy. Dr. Hasan and the Illinois Retina Associates team remain dedicated to advancing these efforts at the national level.
A screenshot from the meeting is included below:
