Advocacy and Public
Policy Updates from the February 2022 Board of Directors Meeting
Public Policy Update
Dr. George Hruza, ASLMS Public Policy Director, summarized the letters that ASLMS recently signed on to:
- Concerns with Interim Final Rule Requirements (IFR) Related to Surprise Billing: Part II implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA). The letters communicated supportive measures and efforts of working to improve the regulations of surprise billing. Read letter
- Letter to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs regarding the ongoing concerns with the VA Supremacy Project. Now, nurse practitioners have unrestricted license to practice without physician supervision in all fifty (50) states. Dr. Hruza communicated that this does not go along with ASLMS policy statement recommending physician supervision of laser procedures. Read letter
He then highlighted the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates Dermatology Section Council Informational Report from the November 12-16, 2021 virtual meeting. Discussions included diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. A live meeting is anticipated for June 2022. Read full report
Dr. Hruza also updated the Board regarding Medical Spa Safety Coalition activities.
- NH HB 1114: New Hampshire bill that would allow naturopaths and APRN’s to act as medical directors for medspas. The Coalition is going to hold off commenting until after the hearing on this.
- RI HB 66610: The Coalition is working with the Rhode Island Dermatology Society and the Department of Health to introduce recommended language. They are looking at possibly a two-step process in Rhode Island: a bill to carve out medical spas from being regulated at the same level as hospitals and then the Coalition-suggested bill will be introduced.
- MS SB 2711: This Mississippi legislation would have allowed acute care nurses to perform “aesthetic services, including, but not limited to, dermal fillers and toxins, laser procedures, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and sclerotherapy but must practice according to a board-approved protocol that has been mutually agreed upon by the nurse practitioner and the Mississippi licensed physician.” Dr. Hruza reported that, as of the Board meeting, this bill is no longer being considered, and the update was provided for information only.
AIMBE Update
Dr. Bahman Anvari, ASLMS representative for the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Council of Societies, provided a summary of recent AIMBE activities.
Dr. Anvari shared that the White House Office of Technology & Science has issued a presidential memorandum that stated all federally funded researchers are expected report to their funding agencies and/or institutions any external involvements that may present any conflict of interest.
Additionally, for international medical students that wish to do practical training after graduation, a new memorandum has been outlined to include twelve (12) new STEM fields extending their training by an additional two (2) years.