By John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC, vice president-elect and former chair of the Board of Governors

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ACC’s Advocacy Steering Committee met early this morning to discuss our priorities for the next year. While new issues will likely arise, the following issues are ones where the College can proactively lead change or support cardiovascular professionals as they continue to provide quality care.

ACC Priority Issue #1: Reform Physician Payment.

This isn’t a new priority by any means, but with our health care system in flux under reform, this is our chance to enact the changes we’ve been pushing for over the past couple of years. This includes: repealing the sustainable growth rate; promoting alternatives to radiology benefit managers; providing guidance and testing for innovative new payment models that reward quality, cost-effective care; and mitigating the effects of Medicare/Medicaid rules on cardiovascular professionals.

ACC Priority Issue #2: Reform the Health Care Delivery System.

The health care delivery system is undergoing a much-needed overhaul. It’s us to up to make sure that whatever happens, the outcome allows for cardiovascular professionals to continue to provide high-quality care. This means we need to work with Congress, policymakers and other stakeholders to define what constitutes an accountable care organization, independent practice association and the patient-centered medical home. In addition, when it comes to the health reform law, we’ll need to improve the provisions that negatively impact cardiology and work with chapters on the state-specific health reform issues.

ACC Priority Issue #3: Tort Reform.

Definitely an ongoing issue, although one that is receiving more discussion this Congress compared to past. We’ll continue to support a bill from Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D., an OB-GYN from Georgia, which would implement medical liability reform that ensure that injured patients are compensated quickly and fairly; improve provider-patient communications; and foster an environment for affordable and accessible medical liability insurance. Separately from this bill, we’ll work with Congress and state lawmakers to incorporate other reforms, such as health courts, certificates of merit and adherence to practice guidelines.

ACC Priority Issue #4: Health Information Technology.

There’s a lot going on federally with health information technology and we need to make sure ACC members are ready. For example, to avoid a penalty in 2012, physicians need to start e-prescribing between now and June. In addition, up to $44,000 per physician is available to providers who can demonstrate meaningful use of an electronic health record. We have to provide the resources to make sure ACC members are able to participate in these programs and capitalize on the financial incentives.

ACC Priority Issue #5: Regulatory Changes.

Regulatory changes are underfoot, and we need to get in now to shape the policies so that they don’t compromise high-quality patient care. Some issues that we’ll need to stay involved in: the transition to ICD-10 codes for medical diagnosis and inpatient procedure coding; new imaging lab accreditation requirements for Jan. 1, 2012; coding changes based on bundling trends; and the FDA focus on radiation safety and medical and device safety.

We’ve got our work cut out for us. What are your thoughts on these priorities? Are there any you would add?