Published 6/22/2026
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Councilors (BOC) recently marked its 50th anniversary. Representing the grassroots of the orthopaedic profession, the BOC’s 90-plus members are elected by state and regional orthopaedic societies, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. military, Canada, and four regional societies. The BOC also serves as an advisory body to the AAOS Board of Directors.
The BOC oversees several committees, including the Advocacy Resources, Communications, Nominating, and Economic Issues committees. It also oversees the State Orthopaedic Societies Committee and the State Legislative and Regulatory Issues Committee (SLRI).
SLRI charges and committee structure
The SLRI Committee is charged with supporting state orthopaedic societies as they navigate complex legislative and regulatory challenges. Its responsibilities include:
- administering and monitoring the effectiveness of the State Health Policy Action Fund;
- providing financial assistance to state societies addressing legislative and regulatory issues;
- providing state orthopaedic societies with ideas for strengthening their health policy capabilities; and
- developing coordinated strategies for AAOS and state orthopaedic societies to effectively address state health policy issues.
BOC members are assigned to a committee at the start of their second year as councilors. The SLRI chairman is selected at the start of their fifth year as a councilor and serves a two-year term.
State societies may apply for SLRI grants to support their legislative efforts at the state level. These grants are considered and open for application twice a year, first at the AAOS Annual Meeting and then at the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference. State societies are expected to partially fund their initiatives alongside SLRI support.
Key advocacy priorities supported by SLRI
SLRI grants have supported state societies seeking to address several pressing policy issues, including:
Scope of practice: One of the most common requests for SLRI support, scope of practice legislation often involves efforts by nonorthopaedic providers to expand surgical authority. For example, in some states, podiatrists have advocated to treat conditions beyond the foot and ankle, including tibial fractures and even knee replacement procedures. AAOS and state orthopaedic societies have consistently worked to ensure that orthopaedic surgery remains the practice of appropriately trained orthopaedic surgeons.
Certificate of need (CON): Several states still require certificates of need to expand hospital facilities or establish ambulatory surgery centers. SLRI has a long history of supporting state societies pursuing legislation to rescind CON requirements.
Physician ownership of ancillary services: SLRI has also supported efforts to allow physicians to expand in-office ancillary services, improving care coordination and practice efficiency.
Tort reform: Many tort issues are addressed at the state level. California’s longstanding tort reform laws, for example, have recently come under renewed challenge from trial attorneys. SLRI provided financial support to the California Orthopaedic Society to help increase awareness and counter efforts to weaken these protections.
Why SLRI support matters
Advocating effectively on these issues requires sustained resources, policy expertise, and coordination at the state level. Through financial support, strategic guidance, and collaboration, the SLRI Committee plays a central role in helping state orthopaedic societies advance legislative priorities that protect patients and the practice of orthopaedic surgery.