ACS general surgeons participate in payment reform activities

As reported in the Bulletin at various times over the past several years, the American College of Surgeons has frequently been called upon by federal agencies and commissions to provide clinical information and advice on issues that are associated with implementation of the Medicare physician payment system reforms mandated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (OBRA '89). In doing so, the College has often relied on the expertise of Fellows who are deeply committed both to the practice of general surgery and to the College. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the College's participation in activities related to implementation of the Medicare reforms, as viewed by some of the general surgeons who shared in those efforts.