A Look at the American College of Surgeons' Advocacy Efforts

Dr. Rajiv Datta has spent more than 15 years, including nine years as chairman of the Department of Surgery, at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Valley Stream, New York. When he is not managing the hospital’s surgical activities, Dr. Rajiv Datta interacts with professional organizations such as the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

The ACS serves its membership in a number of ways, including through widespread advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels. The organization only engages in initiatives that directly benefit practicing surgeons and enhance the patient experience. ACS advocacy activities are primarily handled by the Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, located in Washington, DC, and through direct communications with relevant government offices. Certain advocacy efforts are overarching and essentially unending, such as the surgical society’s interest in American health care reform. 

Other campaigns such as global codes and data collection advocacy are more focused. The ACS recently came out in support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to require more information regarding postoperative visits during periods of global surgical service. CMS has already put this new measure into effect in nine states. To learn more about complying with the policy, or other areas of ACS advocacy, please visit www.facs.org.