By Melvin Rosenblatt, MD, FACPh
All humanity designates some time during the year when they take stock in where they have been, what they have accomplished and where they are going. For most this is January 1st, the beginning of the new year. This day is typically marked by imbibing large quantities of sprits, blowing horns and throwing confetti. For the ACP these days of introspection come after the annual congress. In place of spirits, large quantities of caffeinated beverages are consumed as we spend long hours revamping, retooling and improving our organization. The documents created by this process are as numerous as confetti and now it is time to get on the horn and thank all the volunteers who, through various committees, helped make the previous year’s accomplishments possible.
So much was accomplished last year that a detailed description of each of the individual items is not possible in the allotted space. Each accomplishment has helped to further the mission of the organization which is education, advocacy, public awareness and advancing research in venous disease. These activities do make a difference. As an example in June of this year one of our members made the ACP aware of a plan by the Oregon Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) to eliminate coverage for all varicose vein treatment. Thus patients with severe symptoms such as spontaneous hemorrhage would not have access to coverage. The ACP responded with a letter educating policy makers about the importance of treating symptomatic venous disease. In a collaborative effort the AVF also submitted letters of a similar nature. Despite all the invested effort, the volunteers involved in crafting these letters were somewhat skeptical that these actions would have any positive effect. Yet at the end of September, as a result of these actions, the PEBB elected to maintain coverage for symptomatic varicose vein disease.
This result was only a small victory against a single misguided coverage policy. There are so many more of these illogical coverage policies that have been created by misinformed policy makers. Effecting change will take an enormous effort. Yet, as seen in Oregon, change is possible. Where does this effort come from? It comes from volunteers who spend what little free time they have working with various ACP committees to monitor coverage policies, create clinical appropriateness guidelines, design educational programs, conceptualize and create public awareness campaigns and much much more. We need your help. Volunteer for one of the many ACP committees so you too can bring about positive change for your colleagues and the patients we serve. Find out more about ACP committees on our web site at http://www.phlebology.org/aboutus/committees.html and fill out the volunteer application form.