ASCA Board Member Hosts Tour for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden at Bend Surgery Center
Last week, Bend Surgery Center had the privilege of hosting Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) for an exclusive tour, led by Todd Currier, Treasurer of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) Board. Senator Wyden, who serves as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, holds a pivotal role in advancing legislation that directly impacts ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). His visit provided an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on critical issues affecting healthcare in Oregon and beyond.
Key Topics of Discussion
During the tour, several important healthcare topics were explored:
- Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023
A major focus was the need to eliminate the copay cap penalty provision in the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023. Senator Wyden’s involvement and support are instrumental in advancing this legislation, which aims to improve access to outpatient surgical care without penalizing patients with higher out-of-pocket costs. - Rising Costs and Declining Reimbursements
The rising cost of care across Oregon has placed financial pressure on healthcare providers, including ASCs. Meanwhile, reimbursement rates continue to decline, making it increasingly difficult for providers to maintain high-quality care while remaining financially sustainable. - Cybersecurity Challenges in Healthcare
Senator Wyden and Todd Currier also discussed the alarming rise in cybersecurity threats and ransomware attacks targeting healthcare providers. With sensitive patient data at risk, protecting the infrastructure of ASCs and other healthcare facilities has become more important than ever.
Senator Wyden’s Impact on ASC Legislation
As a longtime advocate of healthcare policy reform, Senator Wyden has sponsored and supported legislation to improve access to ambulatory surgery centers. His continued involvement with the ASC community is critical in ensuring that these facilities can provide affordable, high-quality care to patients across Oregon and the nation.
Bend Surgery Center is grateful for the opportunity to showcase our facility and engage in thoughtful dialogue with Senator Wyden. His leadership and support will help shape policies that improve access to care, reduce financial burdens on patients, and protect the healthcare community from emerging threats.
We thank Senator Wyden for his time and look forward to future collaborations with him and other policymakers to strengthen the ASC community and the healthcare system as a whole.