Public Affairs & Advocacy
The Public Affairs & Advocacy Committee is authorized by Article VII of the AGA Bylaws.
Mission
To further the strategic plan by advocating AGA research, clinical and reimbursement/payment policies; to advocating to Congress and federal agencies regarding gastroenterologists’ place in health-care delivery; and to mobilize members, patients, consumers, allied organizations and the media to influence legislation/regulation.
Committee Structure
The Public Affairs & Advocacy Committee has 12 members plus the chair. Members are to be divided evenly among three task groups (see chart, below). In addition, AGA’s past president and AMA delegate will serve as non-voting, ex-officio members.
Appointment terms and other criteria for committee membership are found in the bylaws, Article VII. Terms of the chair and all committee members shall be three years, with one-third expiring annually. A chair-elect (who shall not count against the maximum membership) shall be appointed one year before the end of the term of the chair.
The committee is divided into three task groups who report to the committee chair.
Task Groups
- Research & Training Policies: Task group leader and three members from the research community.
- Clinical Practice Policies: Task group leader and three members knowledgeable about clinical issues as well as Medicare and health plan payment policies.
- Grassroots & Advocacy: Task group leader and three members who have experience/interest working with members/allied organizations and the media to influence legislation/regulation.
Committee Chair Qualifications
- Familiarity with biomedical research funding and clinical practice payment issues.
- Recent experience as a member of the Public Affairs & Advocacy Committee.
Committee Functions
The specific charge to the committee is to be concerned with: (1) advocating AGA research and clinical practice policies; (2) lobbying Congress and federal agencies regarding gastroenterologists’ place in the health-care delivery and payment systems; and (3) mobilizing AGA members, patients, consumers, allied organizations and the media to influence legislation and regulations.
- Implements relevant strategic directions from the strategic plan assigned to the committee; reviews the strategic plan to determine new and better ways to achieve association goals
- Provides input on strategic trends and opportunities and suggests adjustments to the strategic plan for the chair to communicate to the AGA Leadership Cabinet.
- Regularly reviews public-health issues and AGA policies to determine those suitable for federal legislative or regulatory initiatives; periodically surveys members to determine problems or opportunities suitable for federal legislative or regulatory initiatives.
Organizational Statement
- Regularly reviews the strategic plan to identify federal legislative or regulatory initiatives
- Translates AGA policies, problems, opportunities and strategic directions into specific legislative or regulatory vehicles
- Develops and implements lobbying, grassroots and related programs to secure action on legislative or regulatory vehicles
- Proposes annual budgets necessary to achieve legislative and regulatory goals and operates within the approved budget
- Implements public policy efforts as prioritized by the AGA Governing Board
- Communicates on an ongoing basis with members to motivate them to action and to inform them of AGA activities
- Develops and maintains a program to motivate and support members who wish to contact or engage legislators and regulators in support of the AGA legislative program
- PAC-TBD
Task Groups
- Develop and execute public policies that directly and indirectly influence and affect gastroenterology with emphasis on federal and state legislation and regulation.
- Establish a grassroots network designed to involve AGA members and other interested parties relative to AGA issues.
- Communicate with AGA members to demonstrate AGA’s leadership on public policy issues.
- Increase name recognition for AGA among key influential audiences.
Responsibilities
Committee Chair:
- Provides leadership and oversight of committee activities.
- Oversees activities of AGA representatives to other organizations.
- Convenes and directs meetings and conference calls of the committee.
- Serves as liaison to AGA Governing Board.
- Works with AGA staff to prepare meeting agendas, minutes and reports.
- Works with AGA staff to ensure that committee projects and activities are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Evaluates the performance of committee members.
- PAC-TBD.
Task Group Leaders:
- Take a leadership role in all programs and policies within the jurisdiction of their task groups.
Members
| Maria T. Abreu, MD |
| Jaya R. Agrawal, MD |
| Kimberly L. Beavers, MD, MPH |
| Raquel E. Davila, MD, AGAF |
| Raquel E. Davila, MD, AGAF |
| Rene Davila, MD, AGAF |
| Courtney W. Houchen, MD |
| Braden Kuo, MD |
| Braden Kuo, MD |
| David T. Rubin, MD, AGAF |
| Prateek Sharma, MD |
| Michael D. Weinman, MD |
| Michael D. Weinman, MD |
