The Society of Gynecologic Oncology announced that it had approved bylaw changes at their annual meeting to restructure the organization, allowing it to more actively advocate policy issues at the government level.
"Traditionally our organization has been focused on the educational needs of our members, particularly in respect to conducting the annual meeting. But the needs of our membership have expanded," Ronald D. Alvarez, MD, newly elected SGO President said in a phone interview. "The 501(c)(6) gives us the freedom to be able to do more when it comes to addressing at the advocacy level how we think high-quality gynecology cancer care should be delivered."
The reorganization incorporates a new 501(c)(6) not-for-profit entity-which will assume the name the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and be responsible for the clinical practice, government relations, coding, and membership activities for the organization-to operate with the existing 501(c)(3), known as the Foundation for Gynecologic Oncology, which is responsible for the education, research, development, and fundraising missions of the entire organization.
The IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption designation (a "charitable organization") restricts an organization from using earnings for political purposes-including to influence legislation or participate in campaign activities. But, the new 501(c)(6) designation (a "business league") allows the group to engage in broader political initiatives and still retain tax exempt status so long as all purposes promote the group's common interest, and are not for raising profits, nor for an individual's benefit.
"We're in the midst of evolutionary changes in health care," Alvarez said. "Traditionally we've been focused on the c3 activities-making everyone very smart about cancer. But now with the c6, in my mind, we'll be able to provide our members and our country with the tools to be able to deliver high-quality gynecologic cancer care in a very cost-effective manner."
Advocating for more national government investment in gynecological cancer research tops the group's revised agenda, Alvarez said. Current investments are proportionately lower than in other cancers. The organization also wants to be able to be a strong voice for promoting high-quality gynecologic oncology care when it comes to health care reform, which Alvarez said the organization recognizes is an issue that is "front and center on the nation's agenda."
"If we don't define that role-what we think high-quality OBGYN cancer care is-somebody's going to do it for us," Alvarez said.
In the future, SGO wants to play a much more prominent role in practice management to serve its members and patients. Alvarez hopes they can provide recommendations for various treatment options and eventually start writing cancer care guidelines.
Several oncology organizations have similarly restructured recently, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gyncologists, he noted.