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Home » OMS Professionals » Government Affairs » Day on the Hill

Day on the Hill

2008 AAOMS Day on the Hill Highlights OMS Advocacy Efforts

Nearly 75 oral and maxillofacial surgeons from 25 states and the District of Columbia met with more than 125 Congressional leaders and their staff during the 2008 AAOMS Day on the Hill program in Washington, DC, April 15-16. This year's event was dedicated in memory to the late John F. Freihaut, DDS of Georgia, who had been a long-time participant in Day on the Hill and was slated to take over this year as Chairman of OMSPAC, the association's political action committee. As a special addition to the program, AAOMS welcomed U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.-11), a long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Freihaut's who provided a moving tribute.

Prior to the dedication, AAOMS President Lee D. Pollan, DMD, MS, presented the AAOMS 2008 Legislator of the Year award to U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.-4). The Congresswoman championed, and continues to advocate for, the "Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery Act" (CARES Act - H.R. 1655/S. 1588) to protect and promote access for children suffering with childhood deformities and craniofacial abnormalities. Concluding the evening's program, was well-known political pundit Charlie Cook, who provided a candid update on the hot button issues driving this year's highly contested race for the White House — a value added inside look behind the scenes for Day on the Hill participants.

The following day began early with a breakfast session featuring U.S. Representative Lois Capps (D-Calif.-23), senior member of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health and chair of many congressional healthcare caucuses. Joining Rep. Capps was the staff of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-8) who, along with Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Va.-7), recently introduced AAOMS-initiated legislation, H.R. 5590, the "Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act" to provide a legislative fix allowing OMSs the ability to refer Medicare patients for physical therapy.

In addition to educating Congress about the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, participants advocated for a number of OMS issues, including support of: the CARES Act; the Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act; and a resolution (H. Res. 1062) designating April 2008 as National Facial Protection Month. And finally, AAOMS asked for the promotion of increased access to care, specifically by requesting support of the Essential Oral Health Act of 2007 (H.R. 2472), as it goes the furthest to accomplish and encourage provider participation.

The 2009 Day on the Hill event will take place Wednesday, April 29 at the Madison Hotel in Washington, DC! Mark your calendars and plan to advocate with AAOMS in DC next year.