This week ACC leaders and I are hitting Capitol Hill to meet with key members of Congress and their staff on our three main priorities between now and the end of the year:

1. Fix the SGRrrrrrrrrrrrr
2. Implement medical liability reforms
3. Stop additional cuts to medical imaging

There is currently no guarantee or plan that Congress will fix the SGR before the 29 percent cut kicks in on Jan. 1 and with the Super (Duper) Committee seemingly at a stand-still we could see an additional 2 percent cut across the board.  The impact of such a scenario, coupled with any additional cuts in imaging, would go well beyond what happened two years ago with the practice-expense cuts for cardiovascular services.

It would be irresponsible of all of us to let cuts of this magnitude go through without a fight – thus the meetings on Capitol Hill this week. It would also be irresponsible of us not to take advantage of the Super (Duper) Committee discussions to find a middle ground proposal on medical liability reform that makes progress in terms of lowering premiums, reducing frequency of unnecessary filings, and limits the hemorrhaging of precious health care resources into the legal system.

While all of us vary greatly in our views on political policy and strategy, there is no question that we wield political power when we can come together around common causes. Health care is the biggest sector of the American economy and as providers on the ground level our voices matter. Now more than ever before, we need to let Congress know that fixing the SGR needs to be a priority. At the same time we need to be honest with them about the consequences (both to our practices and our patients) if they don’t act.  We also need to weigh in on new opportunities, such as basic liability reforms or ensuring appropriate use of imaging, that can rise above the partisan gridlock and start moving us toward a better, more economically stable, health care future.  

Now is the time to act! To quote Dr. Seuss: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” Come Jan. 1, 2012 I hope that our combined actions successfully averted devastating cuts to cardiovascular care. At the very least, if we’re not successful, it won’t be for lack of trying! Now hit those phones! 

For more information on the federal budget and the Super Committee timeline go to CardioSource.org/Budget. ACC members in the U.S. can also learn more about the ACC Political Action Committee at www.accpacweb.org (log-in required).