Recognizing the need to influence the debates that shape health care policy, NASS established the National Association of Spine Specialists— an IRS-designated 501(c) (6) trade organization—as its advocacy arm. The Association was founded in 1999 and continues to be administered by the North American Spine Society. The Association advocates in the legislative and regulatory arenas for public policies that protect members’ ability to practice medicine and give patients access to the specialists, technologies and treatments they require for quality spine care. All members of the North American Spine Society are members of the Association (unless they opt out), with a portion of member dues allocated to advocacy efforts. The Association relies on its members to advocate on behalf of the spine care field and patients.
The Association is governed by the NASS Executive Committee, with the NASS Advocacy Committee overseeing NASS' advocacy program.