NOLC returns: AAOS members create momentum on Capitol Hill

From Sept. 14 to 17, orthopaedic surgeons and volunteer leaders from across the country convened in Washington for AAOS’ Combined National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC)/Fall Meeting. The program featured briefings from AAOS leaders, staff, and policy experts on medical liability, the regulatory landscape, and the state of orthopaedic research, followed by a coordinated day of advocacy on Capitol Hill.

More than 250 attendees participated in hundreds of meetings with congressional offices, including 66 member-level meetings with senators and representatives. Survey feedback showed that attendees overwhelmingly found the meetings to be positive and impactful, with 86% rating the event as high quality.

Meetings with congressional offices focused on a few key issues impacting musculoskeletal care:

• Medicare payment reform: Annual, ad-hoc patches to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule have fueled instability and consolidation. AAOS urged lawmakers to support long-term reform, including tying physician reimbursement updates to the Medicare Economic Index, a measure of inflation.
• Peer-Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP): The Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, including PRORP, accelerate innovations that benefit service members and civilians. Congress eliminated funding for PRORP from March to September 2025 and proposed to reinstate only 50% of the funding for fiscal year 2026. Attendees asked Congress to fully restore PRORP funding for fiscal year 2026.
• Physician-led hospitals: Physician-led hospitals enhance quality, innovation, and competition — critical to countering consolidation. AAOS urged cosponsorship of the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 2191/
  S. 1390) to responsibly lift restrictions on growth of physician-owned hospitals.
• Prior-authorization reform: Burdensome prior-authorization requirements too often delay medically necessary care. Advocates asked Congress to cosponsor the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S. 1816) to streamline and standardize prior authorization in Medicare Advantage.

Keeping the momentum going
In the days following NOLC, there was increased congressional support for key AAOS priorities, including 10 new cosponsors in the House and three new cosponsors in the Senate on the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. Additionally, one new cosponsor signed on to support the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act in the House.

NOLC is AAOS’ flagship advocacy event, but in-district engagement throughout the year remains essential. Members are encouraged to meet with lawmakers at town halls, office hours, site visits, and community events. The AAOS Office of Government Relations can help surgeons build deeper, ongoing relationships as Congressional Ambassadors. To express interest, visit bit.ly/CongressionalAmbassadors.

Share your prior-authorization story
Throughout NOLC, members recorded firsthand accounts of how prior-authorization delays and denials affect patient care — powerful stories that resonate with lawmakers and staff. Members can add their voices by submitting a short video or written account via the AAOS Advocacy Action Center at bit.ly/PriorAuthStories.

Thanks to the preparation and professionalism of AAOS members, lawmakers heard clearly how these policies affect patients, practices, and the broader health system. For many participants, NOLC marked another step in sustained, year-round advocacy to advance musculoskeletal health.