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The Health Policy Subcommittee studies and evaluates the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s health policy needs—both legislative and regulatory. It develops formal advocacy positions on key issues; provides subject matter expertise to assist in the development of comment letters, educational content, and other guidance for policymakers; and reviews relevant policy proposals and provides expert feedback. The subcommittee reports to the Advocacy Committee. 

Chair: Jonathan Santoro, MD

Vice Chair: Christine Doss Esper, MD, FANA, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Staff Liaison: Madeline Turbes, MPH, Health Policy Manager

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• Apply to this committee

Job description

Committee responsibilities

• Solicit member feedback and make annual recommendations to the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Board of Directors on federal and state advocacy priorities
• Provide rapid feedback on emergent health policy issues
• Provide content expertise to inform the development of all formal advocacy positions taken by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, including comment letters and position statements

Individual responsibilities

• Attend one in-person meeting each year and two to three virtual meetings or calls
  • Participate in one policy event a year (e.g., Hill or administrative meeting, Neurology on the Hill, or other local events)
  • Schedule permitting, attend advocacy events during the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s Annual Meeting
• Be familiar with major health policy issues, particularly those specific to neurology
• Assist in identifying legislative issues of importance to neurology
• If requested, participate in the drafting of advocacy issue position statements for approval by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Board of Directors
• Create and maintain relationships with target policymakers and/or stakeholder groups
• Participate in discussions and votes on the subcommittee listserv
• Help educate Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ members about Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ policy positions
• Facilitate regular committee, subcommittee, section, and member feedback on Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s current and future policy priorities

Selection/appointment

Committee members are appointed by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ President Elect and may serve up to three two-year terms. The chair and vice chair may serve up to an additional three two-year terms. One seat on the subcommittee will serve as a SAGSA representative and will follow the term limits of the representative entity.

Meeting schedule

Meets in the first quarter in person, and subsequent quarters virtually (Friday-Saturday).

Estimated time commitment

10 hours per month in addition to one virtual meeting per quarter and one in-person meeting in January.

Committee composition

The subcommittee is made up of 16 voting members, including:

• Chair and vice chair
• Members with strong expertise in health policy and demonstrated neurology practice expertise
• One SAGSA Representative