American College of Cardiology

McCain Announces Health Care Proposal
Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is promoting his proposal to reform the U.S. health care system in a week-long tour. His plan would provide tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. In addition, it would allow for the purchase of insurance coverage through any organization, reducing the reliance on employer-provided plans. Sen. McCain supports the idea of a medical home to coordinate care and provide quality outcomes. He also supports better utilization of health information technology, including electronic health records. His plan would not include an individual mandate. For more coverage of Sen. McCain's health proposal, visit Reuters here. For more information on ACC's health reform efforts, go to http://qualityfirst.acc.org.

Preview Period for CMS 30-Day Mortality Measures Now Open
The preview period to review the updated 30-day hospital mortality measures on CMS’ Hospital Compare Web site is now open and will run through May 13. Hospitals are strongly encouraged to review the data and become familiarized with the reports before they become public in July 2008. The new data represents hospital discharges from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, and includes reports on mortality for patients with AMI (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia with the ability to focus on the mortality measure rates, interval estimates and number of cases. Plans for this reporting cycle do not include readmission rates. Hospitals can “preview” their specific data through the QualityNet.org Web site. Providers with questions about accessing their reports or the data contained in them should contact their state’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). The ACC is willing and ready to help hospitals respond to the measures by leading efforts to improve patient care and ensure that measurement is fair and valid. For more information on ACC efforts, contact Tilithia McBride at tmcbride@acc.org.

Save the Date: Learn More About ACC’s Cardiovascular Recognition Program
The ACC Payer Advocacy Department on May 14 at 2:30 p.m. EST will hold a "Second Wednesday" call for members on the PAR4 Cardiovascular Practice Recognition Program (CVRP). The CVRP is a practice-level recognition program designed specifically to identify quality in cardiovascular practice. The ACC plans to offer the CVRP as a tool for cardiovascular practitioners and health care purchasers to understand and evaluate quality cardiovascular care. ACC Vice President of Science and Quality, Janet Wright, M.D., F.A.C.C., will present the guiding principles and key characteristics of the program.  Register for the call by clicking here.

From the Lewin Report: Getting to the Core
The ACC has decided we need to define what are the “core competencies” for the cardiologist — we want to develop a process to describe and continuously update what a competent cardiologist is expected to know and do. We believe this effort will help inform the ABIM about how to best design the most relevant recertification processes, as well as to serve as the foundation for important educational products and programs to assist members in staying current and preparing for recertification. These efforts could also promote (and take the stress out of) voluntary recertification for grandfathered members....

FDA News Updates
Actavis Totowa LLC on April 25 notified health care professionals of a Class I nationwide recall of all strengths of its prescription drug Digitek, used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The drug is distributed under different labels by Mylan Pharmaceuticals and UDL Laboratories, Inc. Actavis Totowa said that the product is being recalled because some tablets have been released that are double the appropriate thickness and might contain twice the approved level of active ingredient. The higher amount of active ingredient poses a risk of digitalis toxicity in renal failure patients. Several reports of illness and injury have resulted from the recalled tablets. More information on the recall can be found on the FDA Web site here.

Michigan Chapter Holds "Cardiology Day at the Capitol"
The Michigan Chapter of the ACC on April 23 held their first "Cardiology Day at the Capitol" in Lansing. More than 20 cardiovascular specialists joined representatives from the American Heart Association to meet at the state capitol to advocate for the passage of an important smoke-free bill and an increase in the Healthy Michigan Fund, an outreach and awareness program that aims to reduce the incidence of preventable death and disability. Attendees visited 30 senators and representatives, including Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Auburn Hills), a key player in the passage of the smoke-free bill, and Rep. Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), chair of the House Health Policy Committee. The event proved a great success, with the vast majority of elected officials staunchly supporting the Chapter's issues.