March 26-27th meet to also discuss changes to Medicare.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) will host their annual Legislative Day and Reception on Capitol Hill later this month, from March 26th-27th.
The goal of the symposium, their first since hosting a similar one last September, will be to discuss changes to Medicare (specifically, as it relates to the SGR – Sustainable Growth Rate), voice their opinions on the pending immigration reform legislation, discuss ways to combat the prevalent issue of obesity in America, strengthening ties between the US and India in light of recent setbacks, and the state of the medical field as a result of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which has been in effect since October of 2013.
“AAPI is once again in the forefront in bringing many burning health care issues facing the community at large and bringing this to the Capitol and to the US Congress,” says Sampat Shivangi, Co-chair of AAPI Legislative Affairs Committee, in a press release announcing the legislative summit.
Shivangi’s said that the last symposium was well-received by lawmakers on Capitol Hill. At the time, the two biggest items on the agenda were immigration reform and Obamacare, both of which are still on the forefront of the entire medical community. AAPI has also been lobbying with Capitol Hill to rally support for Dr. Vivek Murthy, who is currently on the verge of potentially becoming the first Indian American Surgeon General in US history.
The event will commence on March 26th with a reception, while the actual panel discussions will take place the following day.
“The symposium will have a panel discussion on Immigration Reform and ways for AAPI members to be part of the process in the implementation of the health care reform in this country,” said Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, president-elect of AAPI, who will take over from current president Jayesh Shah later this year.
Lawmakers who have confirmed their participation at the upcoming Capitol Hill event, which will be held at the Rayburn House Office Building just off of Capitol South Metro, include: U.S. Congressmen Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman – House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ranking member – Health Subcommittee, House Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Co-chairman – Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans; Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Co-chairman – Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans; and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking member, Immigration Subcommittee and House Judiciary Committee.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com