With a new administration and new Congress, 2017 promises to be a busy year for healthcare reform. Whether you are elated or deflated by the 2016 election results, many legislative and regulatory issues central to orthopaedic practice and the orthopaedic profession as a whole are at stake. Mark your calendars and plan to take advantage of the following advocacy opportunities at the 2017 Annual Meeting.

AAOS Advocacy Booth
Be sure to stop by the Advocacy Booth sponsored by the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) to enhance your understanding of the regulatory and legislative issues affecting orthopaedic surgeons. At the booth, you can learn more about the AAOS Office of Government Relations' (OGR) work to support the orthopaedic specialty in the U.S. Congress and the statehouses. You can also have the opportunity to chat with knowledgeable OGR staff and physician advocacy leaders, renew your support in the AAOS Political Action Committee (Orthopaedic PAC), and take action on top legislative issues affecting your patients and practice.

The AAOS Advocacy Booth will be open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., March 15–16, and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., March 17. The booth will be located in Hall B2, Booth #1625, at the San Diego Convention Center.

AAOS Orthopaedic PAC donor lounge
Last year, orthopaedics celebrated many legislative successes, including House passage of the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, changes to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), the signing into law of the 21st Century Cures legislation, and $30 million in Department of Defense funding for orthopaedic research. Your support and active participation in our Orthopaedic PAC were instrumental in these successes. Let us show our appreciation! Visit the Orthopaedic PAC donor lounge to relax and take a break during the meeting, charge your iPad, enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks, and visit with other PAC members and AAOS staff.

The AAOS Orthopaedic PAC donor lounge will be open to all 2016 Orthopaedic PAC donors (membership ribbon required) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., March 15–16, and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., March 17. The booth is located in Hall B2, Booth #1625, at the San Diego Convention Center.

2016 Orthopaedic PAC Luncheon
AAOS Orthopaedic PAC members are invited to a special annual PAC luncheon on March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More information to follow. Seating will be limited.

Residents! Attend the Orthopaedic PAC Resident Networking Reception
Orthopaedic residents represent the future of the AAOS. Attend this reception on Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., to network with influential advocacy leaders and celebrate the next generation of advocates. Join the PAC Executive Committee, the Board of Councilors, the Board of Specialty Societies, and the Resident Assembly at the Bay City Brewery for drinks, food, and great company. This brewery, the best in San Diego, is owned by an orthopaedic surgeon. Transportation will be provided and all resident and PAC donors are invited to attend. A $25 resident/$100 donation is required for drink tickets.

For more information about the Orthopaedic PAC, visit www.aaos.org/pac or contact pac@aaos.org

Elizabeth Fassbender is the communications manager and Stacie Monroe is the political affairs manager in the AAOS office of government relations. They can be reached, respectively, at fassbender@aaos.org and monroe@aaos.org

More about the AAOS OGR
The AAOS Office of Government Relations (OGR) promotes and represents the viewpoint of the orthopaedic community before federal and state legislative, regulatory, and executive agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., but also including staff from AAOS headquarters in Rosemont, Ill., the OGR identifies, analyzes, and directs all health policy activities and initiatives of the AAOS.

Follow the OGR on Twitter
The OGR's Twitter account (https://twitter.com/AAOSAdvocacy) regularly tweets on issues of importance to the orthopaedic community.

AAOS encourages grassroots advocates to become followers of the @AAOSAdvocacy account and to "retweet" messages.

Learn more
To learn more about the AAOS' advocacy efforts, visit www.aaos.org/Advocacy/GetInvolved