Over 80 ACC members went to Capitol Hill last week to talk to their lawmakers about the devastating effects that the CMS cuts will have on their patients’ access to care. Here’s what a few had to say. 

From Jacqueline Hollywood, MD, FACC:

Wow! What a marathon, I have blisters from all the running we did on the Hill this week.  It truly is a marathon and not a sprint, because we still have a long way to go.  It was amazing to see cardiologists from all over the country come together to protect patients and the future of the practice of cardiology.

We met with members from both the House and the Senate. Some were aware of the threats to cardiovascular care and some were not. Most were not aware of the devastating impacts of these cuts.  Decreased access, significantly increased costs and layoffs are not a prescription for health care reform. One representative we met with commented, “This was the first he was hearing of these cuts and how come doctors and patients were not calling him?”  I know many of us feel that no one is listening and that we have no control.  I can tell you this week on the Hill they were listening but we need our voice to be louder.

Call, e-mail your senators and ask your congressmen to co-sponsor the bill from Rep. Gonzalez to halt the cuts.  Make patients aware of the very real threat to their cardiac care and have them contact Congress as well. We need to make our voices heard, the time is NOW.

From former ACC President Douglas Weaver, MD, MACC: 

Staffers were not just polite, they were genuinely interested in our message. Members of Congress are so engaged with health reform, that they weren't aware of the Final Rule. I found a willingness from both sides of the aisle to help. Now it's whether or not we can get something done.

From Florida Chapter President Alberto Montalvo, MD, FACC:

Today the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology had between thirty-five and forty cardiologists visiting our Congressional delegation to specifically discuss the 2010 CMS Physician Fee Schedule and the Gonzalez legislation that would temporarily fix the unsustainable cuts.  All members reports back that we were well received and that our lawmakers understood the problems that the CMS rule would create for patients and practices.   Our delegation was unanimously supportive of our effort and stated their support of this legislation. Overall our elected officials were impressed with the gravity of the problem especially when were confronted with so many cardiologists who had left their practice to come to Washington on this issue.  Of particular interest: 

• Congressman Vern Buchanan raised concern that so many Sarasota-Bradenton cardiologists were in Congress. He hoped there were still some behind to take care of emergencies.
• Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz expressed her support and discussed at length many health care concerns. The interaction with the large delegation was lively and resulted in better understanding of the issues.
• Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, John Mica and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were also very supportive.

The Florida delegation was energized by the visits because they were very productive. We left with measured optimism that we mad made an impact and hopeful in the success of pending legislation.

From Board of Trustee member Kim Allan Williams, MD, FACC: 

The visits to Capitol Hill were enlightening, yet difficult.  I am frequently surprised at the varied levels interest and understanding of Medicare payment structure in the congressional health staff, particularly as it relates to the differences between the HOPPS and the Medicare Fee for Service reimbursement, and the differences between the Medicare Final Rule issue and the overall health system reform legislation currently being debated on the Hill.  However, we regarded these issues as teachable moments and listened carefully to the few staff members who were already up to speed. 

Each office was sensitive to the message of preserving cardiology access.  I described the possible closing of cardiology practices and shift to hospitals to each of them as "an inconvenience for the wealthy, a problem for the majority, and a disaster for the underserved."

As you can see from their comments, it was both a positive experience and one that highlights the need for additional efforts to educate members of Congress about what will happen to your practice Jan. 1. Take action now with ACC’s online grassroots system or call the toll-free grassroots hotline (800-210-7193) to be connected to your lawmakers by phone.

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