In this episode of the AAOS Bone Beat Advocacy Podcast, Wayne Johnson, MD, FAAOS (left), chair of the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, spoke with Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, FAAOS, about recent advocacy wins and how AAOS members can become healthcare advocates.
Published 9/10/2025
The latest episode of the AAOS Bone Beat Advocacy Podcast, “A Legacy of Advocacy: How OrthoPAC Is Shaping Healthcare Policy,” highlights the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC) and its chair, Wayne Johnson, MD, FAAOS. In the episode, AAOS Now Editorial Board member Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, FAAOS, sat down with Dr. Johnson to discuss the OrthoPAC’s accomplishments and current goals, as well as Dr. Johnson’s passion for advocacy, mentorship, and a certain NFL team.
A bit about OrthoPAC
For those not familiar with OrthoPAC, Dr. Johnson explained that it was established 25 years ago specifically to advocate on behalf of orthopaedic surgeons, AAOS itself, and the orthopaedic specialty societies. It remains the only political action committee in Washington, D.C., dedicated solely to representing orthopaedic surgeons at the federal level. Dr. Johnson also detailed the committee structure and how members are appointed.
Dr. Johnson discussed OrthoPAC’s key policy wins over the years: most notably, overturning the sustainable growth rate formula in 2015 and helping to pass legislation to mitigate the burden of surprise billing on patients. He then laid out OrthoPAC’s top priorities for 2025: Medicare reform, prior authorization reform, support for physician-led hospitals to lift barriers to expansion, and support for value-based care models.
According to Dr. Johnson, OrthoPAC is “proudly nonpartisan. I often say, ‘We’re not red, we’re not blue, we work for you.’” He stressed the importance of forging relationships with members of Congress from both parties in order to sustain OrthoPAC’s advocacy efforts from administration to administration.
Advice for advocates-to-be
Rivaling Dr. Johnson’s passion for advocacy is his passion for mentorship. His career and advocacy journeys were shaped by numerous surgeons — including Dr. Schaefer, whose training at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center overlapped with his. “My mentors’ belief in me opened doors, and I try every day to offer that same sponsorship to others,” Dr. Johnson said.
Dr. Schaefer asked what advice Dr. Johnson would give to residents interested in advocacy. Dr. Johnson said they should start by visiting the Advocacy Action Center (aaos.quorum.us), following AAOS on social media, and engaging with their state orthopaedic societies (which is how his own involvement in advocacy began). Other suggestions: Join the AAOS Resident Assembly, which has its own advocacy arm; volunteer for AAOS councils and committees; and participate in the AAOS Leadership Institute®.
“If you show up with passion and energy, ready to support the organization’s mission, you’ll find a place where you can make a difference,” Dr. Johnson said. “That’s what I’ve done. I go where my Academy needs me.”
Unrelated to advocacy, but just as important
The longtime friends, both die-hard Buffalo Bills fans, concluded the episode by sharing their predictions for the upcoming NFL season. (Hint: They think the Bills will contend.) If you are looking for either of them on a given Sunday this fall, they just might be watching a Bills game together.
OrthoPAC is affiliated with and connected to the 501(c)(6) Association. OrthoPAC is not connected to or affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.
This episode is available on the Bone Beat Orthopaedic Podcast Channel on the AAOS website, as well as Apple Podcasts, the Health Podcast Network, and Spotify.