Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1013186
16 Executive Briefing Sponsored by: N ew laws and regulations continuously shape the healthcare industry and impact the way medical providers conduct business. Physicians and healthcare executives can help drive these changes by getting involved in the legislative process, but many fail to do so because they lack the time needed to research the issues and contact local, state, and federal lawmakers. Physicians and healthcare executives are key decision-makers in a more than $3 trillion industry that touches the lives of nearly everyone at some point and influences life-or-death decisions. Yet all too often, legislators and policymakers devise solutions to some of the biggest issues in healthcare without input from these key stakeholders. It isn't a novel idea for healthcare providers to have a say on issues affecting how care is provided or reimbursed. Not only are they uniquely qualified to educate lawmakers about healthcare issues, but they are also best suited to advocate for patients and the medical field. In fact, Americans identify physicians as the professionals most likely to make the right decisions for the nation's healthcare system. Since many legislators and policymakers don't seek the input of physicians and healthcare executives, it is vital for healthcare industry leaders and professionals to take steps to ensure their voices are heard. Without input from healthcare professionals and physician stakeholders, state and federal mandates have the potential to negatively affect many aspects of healthcare business, including provider reimbursement and the quality of patient care, according to Mark Isenberg, executive vice president of healthcare advocacy at Zotec Partners, the country's largest privately held provider of revenue cycle management services. "It is very important for anyone who relies on the business of healthcare to track both state and federal laws and regulations because they have a tremendous ability to impact how you conduct business," he said. The importance of healthcare leader and physician involvement in the legislative and regulatory process in the U.S. cannot be overstated. By sharing their expertise and invaluable insight with legislators and policymakers, physicians and healthcare executives can influence legislation and regulations in a way that benefits both patients and healthcare providers. How physicians and healthcare executives can put advocacy into practice Most physicians and healthcare leaders interested in helping shape healthcare legislation and regulations do so through membership in medical societies or professional associations. These groups work hard to represent physicians and healthcare executives, but they do not have the bandwidth to provide input on every law, regulation, or rule implemented or altered at the state and federal level that influence the medical field. Physicians and healthcare administrators rely on professional groups and associations to represent their legislative interests, but their demanding schedules leave little time to research the latest proposals and share their input directly with state and federal lawmakers. "Physicians and healthcare executives are very busy, and they often don't have the time or ability to email, call, or research social media handles for their local congressman or state senator," said Mr. Isenberg. "We wanted to figure out a way to streamline those communication outlets and arm them with the right information and tools to mobilize them better than before." To help physician and healthcare stakeholders more effectively influence laws and policies in healthcare, the Zotec Political Action Committee (ZPAC) recently launched an intuitive website aimed at educating physicians and healthcare executives about state and federal legislative and regulatory issues currently affecting the business of healthcare. ZPAC works closely with Zotec's staff, physician clients, industry partners, and industry associations to notify physicians and healthcare administrators when there is a need to take action on a specific piece of legislation. Although there are major issues that need to be tracked at the federal level, such as continued efforts to alter the ACA, Mr. Isenberg said changes are more abundant at the state level. "There are a lot of federal laws that need to be watched and monitored, but it's gridlocked there," Mr. Isenberg said. "A lot of these issues are being addressed at the state level. States have the ability to make changes much more swiftly." To ensure physicians and healthcare executives are never bogged down, ZPAC only notifies them of legislative and policy changes Put your advocacy where your tech is — How a new online platform is amplifying the political voice of physicians and healthcare leaders