How Can Anesthesiologists Influence Policymaking? Reflections from a Year at the Council of Economic Advisers

From September 2019 to August 2020, the author served as a senior economist on Council of Economic Advisers, government agency charged with providing economic analysis and advice President United States officials. Working yielded many useful lessons how anesthesiologists can influence healthcare policy. First, because has wide latitude over areas health policy that directly impact patient care anesthesiologists’ working environment, should focus their efforts influencing policymakers within executive branch in addition lawmakers. Second, are busy typically do not have technical background, so must learn communicate them succinctly at an appropriate level. Finally, often need quickly, meet these needs even if underlying is rougher less precise what would normally be needed for peer review.