Success in Advocacy: The Georgia ASMBS Story

Advocacy is slow and arduous, and while it is not scientific nor is it taught to young physicians in training, it presents an important tool for physicians to positively impact millions of patients beyond the hospitals, operating rooms, and clinics where we practice. In 2013, the Georgia Department of Community Health announced the removal of bariatric surgery coverage from the state health benefit plan (SHBP). The response from the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS) was to organize, rebuild the state chapter, and advocate to reinstate bariatric coverage for state of Georgia employees. After nearly a decade, bariatric coverage was reinstated in the 2022 SHBP. Through partnerships formed through our initial advocacy journey, the Georgia Chapter of ASMBS has grown in membership and has expanded its core pillars to include advocacy, research, and quality improvement to provide better care for the state of Georgia. It has led to the creation of statewide collaborative initiatives across multiple hospital systems. Here we reflect on our state chapter's journey and offer lessons learned to provide insight to hopefully provide a framework and inspire other physician organizations in their advocacy journey.