Advocacy at Home: August Recess 2025 Sign-Up Form
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Ready to Start Advocating at Home?

Advocacy during the August recess presents a powerful opportunity to engage with legislators and their staff to advance the Academy’s key priorities. These include reforming the flawed Medicare physician payment system, protecting surgical eye care standards of care for veterans, increasing access to pediatric eye care, securing prior authorization reform, and promoting other critical advocacy initiatives.

 

What is the August Recess?

August Recess is a pivotal time when members of Congress return to their home districts to meet with constituents and hear about the issues impacting their communities. These meetings help shape legislative priorities for the fall.

The Academy encourages all members to schedule in-person or virtual meetings with their members of Congress during the August work period to discuss timely advocacy issues. The Academy can assist you in scheduling a meeting or inviting your member of Congress to visit your practice, clinic, or ambulatory surgery center (ASC). These interactions offer a valuable opportunity to advocate for ophthalmology’s top policy priorities and build or strengthen relationships with your elected officials.

How to Get Involved 

  • Sign up to advocate locally using this form.
  • While the Academy cannot guarantee a meeting, we are happy to help coordinate one with your member of Congress, whether at their district office, or at your clinic, practice, or ambulatory surgery center.
  • A few days before your visit, you'll receive issue briefs and talking points to help guide your conversation.
  • Need help with scheduling? Contact grassroots specialist MT Fogarty at 202-587-5826 or mtfogarty@aao.org.  
     
Participant Information
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1.

Have you participated in advocacy at home before?

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2.

Do you have a relationship already established with a member of Congress? If so, please share their name, state, and district.

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3.

Do you require assistance from Academy staff to book your meeting?

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4.

Where are you interested in holding the meeting? 

5.

If you selected "other" in question 4, please specify.

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6.

What additional advocacy activities are you interested in?

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If you selected "other" in question 6, please specify.

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For scheduling purposes, please share a few dates and times in August when you are available for meetings.

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