Published 6/26/2025
Each year, Orthopaedic Advocacy Week serves as a reminder that advocacy is strongest when collective. Join AAOS on Aug. 11, 2025, to commemorate the fifth year of Orthopaedic Advocacy Week with a week of education and collaboration on the policy issues impacting musculoskeletal care. This 3-day virtual event elevates the voices of orthopaedic surgeons from across the United States to inspire systemwide change in musculoskeletal care. Whether new to advocacy or a returning attendee, members can learn how to be their own best advocates with the support of AAOS’ Office of Government Relations.
Over the past 5 years, Orthopaedic Advocacy Week has created a space for orthopaedic surgeons to amplify one another’s voices, highlight shared challenges, and push for solutions that benefit both patients and physicians. Although members can participate in simple, virtual advocacy activities through the AAOS Advocacy Action Center year-round, this event gives members the chance to be surrounded by hope, action, and community, all while collaborating with passionate individuals who care about the same issues they do.
Together, members can drive meaningful impact. Thanks to continued engagement from AAOS members in 2024, the Office of Government Relations successfully built momentum for Medicare payment reform, engaged with congressional champions to introduce the Access to Claims Data Act, and halted the implementation of detrimental Modifier 25 policy changes from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The healthcare policy decisions made today will shape tomorrow. This year’s event builds on many of these priority issues, ensuring that calls for change are not just heard, but acted upon. Orthopaedic Advocacy Week 2025 participants can expect to take action on:
- Prior authorization: The current prior-authorization system imposes excessive administrative burdens on medical practices through complex requirements and electronic health record maintenance, reducing physicians’ time with patients and increasing operational costs. It also regularly delays or completely prevents patients from receiving necessary care and negatively interferes with the all-important physician-patient relationship.
- Payment policy changes: Orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists face rising costs, declining reimbursement, and increasing health-system consolidation, which threaten both practices and patients’ access to care.
- Physician-led hospitals: Physician-led hospitals are an important component of and competitive force within the American healthcare system, helping to ensure that patients receive the highest-quality care at the lowest cost. However, the rising costs of running a medical practice have opened the door for large hospital systems to devour smaller facilities and independent physician practices.
- Regulatory reform: Though less visible than negotiations and headlines from Capitol Hill, the policy decisions which impact the day-to-day practice of orthopaedic surgery often come in the form of rulemaking by agencies such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more.
Do not miss this opportunity to make a difference. No matter where members are in their career journeys, their perspectives matter. Orthopaedic Advocacy Week is a chance to learn, connect, and join a supportive network of colleagues who care about the same issues.
Those interested in participating can sign up by visiting the Advocacy Action Center (aaos.quorum.us). For the latest AAOS advocacy news and updates, follow @AAOSAdvocacy on X.