American College of Cardiology

April 18, 2005

IMAGING

CPCI Continues Congressional Outreach, Radiologists Respond
The Coalition for Patient-Centered Imaging (CPCI) ramped up their congressional outreach last week by visiting every congressional office to present information on the value of in-office imaging services. This educational effort built upon an April 5 imaging briefing for media and congressional staff that highlighted a newly released study showing the growth in imaging services is on par with the overall rise in Medicare expenditures.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) responded to the CPCI’s activities by passing a resolution at their annual meeting stating that ACR policies should serve as the foundation for reimbursement for imaging services. The ACR also strengthened their political power by raising more than $100,000 for RADPAC.

As part of the CPCI, the ACC will continue its outreach to legislators, regulators and payers about the importance of imaging services performed by qualified providers, regardless of specialty. ACC members must help if this effort is to be successful. Log on to the members-only Legislative Action Center to learn more about this issue and visit www.epacweb.com/acc to support the ACC PAC in its political activities.

ACC Chapters Celebrate State Legislative Victories
The ACC is battling imaging threats at both the federal and state levels of government. Thanks to the efforts of numerous state chapters, the ACC has defeated several bills that would unduly limit which providers and which facilities can perform imaging tests. In California, ACC members’ lobbying efforts convinced a state legislator to withdraw his restrictive imaging bill. ACC members in Indiana have also been successful in defeating several imaging bills that have surfaced during the 2005 legislative session. In Texas, ACC Governor George Rodgers, M.D., F.A.C.C., testified before the state Senate last month in opposition of an imaging disclosure and study bill. Efforts are also underway in Minnesota and Rhode Island to battle against threatening legislation. To view a state-by-state map of states facing onerous imaging bills, click here.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Will Your Practice Be HIPAA Compliant on April 20?
On Wednesday, organizations covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) must be in compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule, which governs the collection, storage and transmission of personal health information. A summary of the Security Rule is posted on the ACC’s HIPAA Resource Center and a complete copy of the final rule can be found online. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also offers a briefing paper on the Security Rule.

Congress Considers Nominee to Head FDA
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is finalizing deliberations on the nomination of Lester Crawford to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The confirmation process stalled last week as questions arose around FDA actions on emergency contraception pills known as Plan B. Crawford is currently the Acting Chairman of the FDA, and his confirmation is expected to proceed this week.