Dr. Wendy Goldstein of Schneck Foot & Ankle Represents Indiana Podiatrists in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Wendy Goldstein of Schneck Foot & Ankle recently represented Indiana podiatrists at the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) House of Delegates and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., serving as a delegate through the Indiana Podiatric Medical Association and advocating on behalf of patients and the podiatric profession nationwide.

As part of the conference, Dr. Goldstein participated in APMA’s national policy and governance meetings, where physician leaders from across the country vote on bylaw updates and legislative priorities that guide the future of the profession. This year’s gathering was especially meaningful for Indiana, as the newly installed President of the American Podiatric Medical Association is from Indiana and previously served as Dr. Goldstein’s residency director.

“It was both an honor and incredibly exciting to see an Indiana physician—and a former mentor—step into a national leadership role for our profession,” said Dr. Goldstein. “It reflects the strength of podiatric medicine in our state and the importance of physician voices in shaping healthcare policy.”

The conference also featured remarks from the presidents of the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), underscoring the collaborative role podiatric medicine plays within the broader healthcare community.

In addition to policy leadership meetings, Dr. Goldstein participated in APMA’s Legislative Conference, traveling to Capitol Hill to meet directly with members of Congress and their staff. These meetings focused on advocating for legislation that protects patient access to care and supports physicians’ ability to deliver timely, effective treatment.

This year, key legislative priorities discussed with lawmakers included:

• H.R. 7905 / S. 4070 – The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act, which aims to modernize Medicare documentation requirements for diabetic footwear and reduce administrative delays that can negatively impact patient outcomes.

• H.R. 3514 / S. 1816 – The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025, designed to streamline prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans and reduce delays in care for seniors.

• H.R. 7520 – The Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act, which seeks to delay a proposed “efficiency” reimbursement cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

• Ongoing efforts to establish a permanent annual inflationary update to Medicare physician payment, ensuring fair, predictable reimbursement that sustains patient access to care.

During her time on Capitol Hill, Dr. Goldstein met with U.S. Senator Todd Young, a leading co‑sponsor of the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act, to discuss the real‑world impact of these policies on patients and providers in Indiana.

“Advocacy allows us to bring the patient perspective directly to lawmakers,” Dr. Goldstein said. “The policies being discussed have a real impact on access, outcomes, and the ability of physicians to care for their communities.”

Dr. Goldstein’s participation reflects Schneck Foot & Ankle’s commitment to leadership beyond the clinic, supporting both clinical excellence and physician advocacy at the state and national levels. By engaging in national policy discussions and legislative advocacy, Schneck physicians help ensure that patient care remains accessible, high‑quality, and physician‑led.