Rep. Larry Bucshon Recognized for Steadfast Commitment to Cardiothoracic Surgery

Legislator of the Year Award Honors Visionary Leadership And Outstanding Achievement

WASHINGTON, DC (June 14, 2016) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) was named “Legislator of the Year” by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons on Monday evening, in recognition for his extraordinary efforts promoting issues of importance to cardiothoracic surgeons.

“Rep. Bucshon has shown an unwavering commitment to defend cardiothoracic surgery in the face of significant regulatory challenges,” said Douglas J. Mathisen, MD, Chair of the STS Council on Health Policy and Relationships. “He is a champion for surgeons and patients alike. We are proud to acknowledge him with the inaugural award for his noteworthy work and dedication to cardiothoracic surgery.”

As one of only two cardiothoracic surgeons in Congress, Rep. Bucshon led the fight last year to ensure that language to prohibit the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from unbundling global surgical payments was included in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).  Without Rep. Bucshon’s intervention, the CMS policy to eliminate global surgical payments would have been detrimental to beneficiary care, hindered efforts to improve and coordinate health care, and increased administrative burdens.

“It’s very important to be engaged, not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local levels,” said Rep. Bucshon. “The voices of surgeons in practice do matter, and people are listening. Without that engagement, our voices would not be heard. Trying to advance the goal of our specialty to ensure our continued ability to provide high quality medical care to our patients would be hampered without these efforts.”

Rep. Bucshon, a third-term representative from Indiana’s 8th Congressional district, is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he serves on the Health Subcommittee. Among his top legislative priorities is enacting true patient-centered health care reforms that protect the doctor-patient relationship.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Bucshon specialized in cardiothoracic surgery and performed hundreds of heart surgeries. He and his wife Kathryn reside in Indiana with their four children.

The STS Legislator of the Year Award acknowledges a person who has made sustained and/or extraordinary efforts in promoting issues of importance to cardiothoracic surgeons through legislation, successful defense of funding, or other legislation related to cardiothoracic surgery that supports STS’s mission and membership.