More than 50 members supported the AASM PAC at SLEEP 2013

The AASM thanks all of the members who supported the AASM PAC by attending the AASM PAC Breakfast at SLEEP 2013! More than 50 members pledged to support the AASM’s efforts to represent the interests of sleep medicine on a federal level.

Joining AASM President Dr. Safwan Badr in speaking at the breakfast was Representative Andy Harris, MD (R), Congressman from Maryland’s 1st District, a recent appointment to the prestigious House Committee on Appropriations and member of the subcommittee that oversees expenditures for Health and Human Services. As a physician, Rep. Harris participates in the GOP Doctors caucus, which is composed of medical providers in Congress who work to develop patient centered, patient driven healthcare reforms focused on quality, access, affordability, portability, and choice.

Rep. Harris spoke about how the Affordable Care Act’s new health care requirements will affect the medical field. He emphasized that sleep physicians must advocate for their profession, and that a strong political action committee is the only way to push for real action in Washington D.C.

Contributions to the bi-partisan AASM PAC enable the AASM to work with key legislators who can represent the interests of sleep medicine on legislative and regulatory issues. Currently, the AASM PAC is advocating to enable sleep medicine physicians to provide durable medical equipment to Medicare patients with sleep apnea, make sleep screenings a part of the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit for beneficiaries entering the Medicare program and promote the value of federal funding for sleep research. Contribute to these sleep medicine advocacy efforts by donating to the AASM PAC!