From the Clinic to the Capitol: Legislative Advocacy and the Future of Otolaryngology

Monday, October 19, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Location: Petree Hall C

Moderator(s)

Tony D. Satroplus, MD

Otolaryngology Resident
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Panelist(s)

SP

Sam Pate, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology, United States
Stephen P. Cragle, MD

Partner
St. Cloud Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
Saint Cloud, MN, United States
SG

Scott R. Gibbs, MD

Assoc Professor, Div Chief
Marshall University ENT Specialists
Barboursville, WV, United States
Pauline P. Huynh, MD

Otolaryngology Resident
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
Oakland, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):

Stephen P. Cragle, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Scott R. Gibbs, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This panel-based session will challenge participants to become more proactively involved in the legislative process by understanding the (a) need for physician involvement, (b) foundational values of healthcare legislation, (c) differences between policy, legislation, regulations, and court interpretations, and (d) various avenues one can take to get involved. Using real-world examples relevant to otolaryngology, panelists will discuss the intended goals and unintended consequences of healthcare legislation and identify actionable pathways for physician engagement. Participants will leave with frameworks to evaluate policy proposals and strategies to advocate effectively for patients and the specialty.

Learning Objectives:

Articulate the motivations for otolaryngologists to remain involved in the legislative process and illustrate the avenues for getting involved in the legislative process
Apply a core framework to propose and analyze current legislation with an understanding of trade-offs and unintended consequences
Distinguish between healthcare policy, statutes, regulations, and judicial interpretation and explain how each influences otolaryngology practice and patient care.