Feb. 28, 2005

IMAGING

Rhode Island Reviews Imaging Bills
The Rhode Island state legislature recently introduced three bills related to imaging ownership and referral. Two of these bills would limit cardiovascular specialists’ ability to perform diagnostic imaging tests by placing stricter regulations on accreditation standards and imaging referrals, while one bill would expand the definition of an imaging accrediting organization. The Rhode Island Chapter of the ACC issued an alert to its members urging them to contact their state representatives. Click here to learn more.

Imaging Referral Bill Introduced in Utah
A bill introduced last week by the Utah legislature would limit imaging referral practices in rural settings, which are defined as communities with less than 60,000 residents. The new legislation would prohibit licensed medical practitioners from making a referral to a clinical laboratory, ambulatory or surgical facility, treatment or rehabilitation service or radiology facility in which they have a financial interest. The bill acts as a grandfather clause, allowing practitioners to maintain current referral relationships while imposing new restrictions on investments made after Jan. 1, 2005. The ACC is closely monitoring this bill and will notify members of any changes in bill status.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

CMS Posts Info on ICD Registry
To help providers comply with Medicare regulations governing implantable cardioverter defibrillator data collection, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a briefing paper on a new data collection tool. CMS regulations require every Medicare patient receiving an ICD as primary prevention for sudden cardiac death to be enrolled in a data collection system.

Maryland Chapter Testifies on Smoke-Free Laws
In written testimony to the Maryland Senate Finance Committee, ACC-Maryland Governor Edward Kasper, M.D., F.A.C.C., urged senators to pass The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2005, which would ban smoking tobacco products in indoor areas open to the public and in the workplace. Pointing to several studies showing that similar legislation passed by other states led to a significant reduction in secondhand smoke exposure, Dr. Kasper emphasized the cardiovascular benefits of a smoke-free environment. The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate and identical legislation has been introduced in the House.

Health Care Costs Continue to Climb
CMS released a report last week showing that the rate of healthcare growth is slowly declining, but projected healthcare expenditures will rise to $3.6 trillion by 2014. With an average rate of growth of 7 percent, health care spending will make up 18.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product by 2014, up from 15.3 percent in 2003. The CMS report looked specifically at the Medicare drug benefit scheduled to go into effect next year, but attributed the acceleration in growth primarily to higher spending on physicians under Medicare Parts A and B. In an accompanying press release, CMS points to several cost-saving proposals, such as pay-for-performance models and limited payments for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, as effective measures of managing healthcare spending.

Federal Budget Cuts $1 Billion from Public Health Programs
The Coalition for Health Funding, of which the ACC is a member, has issued a call to action for the medical community by asking individuals to contact their Senators about restoring $1 billion in public health funding to the federal budget. President Bush’s FY 2006 budget request eliminates, cuts or freezes several programs dedicated to addressing chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.

Class Action Bill Becomes Law
President Bush demonstrated his commitment to reforming the current litigation system by signing legislation that shifts many class action suits from state to federal court. The new law requires class action claims totaling more than $5 million to be heard in federal court. The bill passed by an overwhelming margin in the Senate and the House, with Democrats who generally do not favor litigation reform joining Republican legislators in supporting this bill. Despite this victory, Bush is looking for more comprehensive legal reform, including a legislative solution to the current medical liability crisis.

ADVOCACY AT ACC '05

ACC ’05 Showcases the Many Sides of Advocacy
From Political Action Committee dinners to exciting educational sessions, here are some events you don’t want to miss at the ACC’s 54th Annual Scientific Session:

Implementing Best Practices of Cardiology (co-sponsored with MGMA)
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Room 230D, Orange County Convention Center
* MGMA consultants will be on-hand at Booth # 2376 to provide free mini-consultations

EXTRA! Media Predicts Outcome of 2005 Health Care Agenda
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Room 232A, Orange County Convention Center

PAC Chair's Leadership Circle Dinner (Ticketed event)
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Restaurant, Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios, 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando
Honored guest: Rep. Tom Price, M.D., R-Ga.
Special guest: Larry King

The CPR of New Cardiac Services: Codes, Productivity and Reimbursement
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Room 330, Orange County Convention Center

And don’t forget to stop by ACC Central to learn how Advocacy is working for you on important issues like imaging, reimbursement and medical liability reform.