HPAC Establishes Structure for Prioritized Issues

JULY 2020

HPAC Establishes Structure for Prioritized Issues

At its meeting on June 4, 2020, the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC) confirmed the priorities identified in their initial meeting and established five work groups to focus on actions to meet established goals. The discussion included defining success for the five areas and noting which regulatory and legislative bodies would be involved. They also highlighted potential collaborative partners in each area such as sister societies and patient advocacy groups that might be involved in common causes. The existence of, or need for, data to support efforts was considered. This agenda is slated to be reviewed for adoption by the Board of Regents later this summer.

The groups are as follows:

1. Home Ventilation/Competitive Bidding. Led by Peter Gay, MD, MS, FCCP, with committee members Nicholas Hill, MD, FCCP; David Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP; and Lisa Wolfe, MD, FCCP.
2. Oxygen—Prescribing/Education. Led by Robert DeMarco, MD, FCCP, with committee members Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP, and Roozehra Khan, DO, FCCP.
3. Oxygen—Access. Led by Neil Freedman, MD, FCCP, with committee members Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP; Roozehra Khan, DO, FCCP; and James Lamberti, MD, FCCP.
4. Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Led by James Lamberti, MD, FCCP, with committee members Michael Nelson, MD, FCCP, and Kathleen Sarmiento, MD.
5. Tobacco/Vaping. Led by Laura Crotty Alexander, MD, with committee member Roozehra Khan, DO, FCCP.

Background and planned activities of the five groups will be featured in this and future issues of Washington Watchline. Involvement of CHEST members and allied supporters will be key to the combined success of the committee. HPAC encourages all CHEST members to familiarize themselves with the issues and attendant legislation that resonate most closely with the needs of their patients and individual practice settings to ensure a strong voice is ready to respond to regulatory and legislative considerations as they arise. HPAC members stand ready to share knowledge and expertise to enable an informed, coordinated, and active presence in this arena.

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