American College of Cardiology

CBO Issues Potentially Damaging Report on Tort Reform
The Congressional Budget Office reports that restrictions on malpractice awards will do little to hold down health care spending. In a report issued January 8, the CBO asserts that even if medical liability premiums are lowered as a result of restrictions on tort liability, the direct impact on health care spending will be minimal because malpractice costs account for less than 2 percent of all that spending. CBO also contends that savings from reducing the practice of defensive medicine will also produce little health care savings. CBO does not, however, refute evidence by other studies that show that medical liability premiums are lower in states with tort reform. In fact, CBO has estimated that medical liability reform legislation similar to that passed in the House (H.R.5) would lower premiums nationwide by an average 25 to 30 percent. CBO admits that the economic efficiencies (maximum possible net benefits to society) that would be achieved under the medical liability reforms currently being considered by Congress would depend on the current state of the liability system.

National Academy of Sciences Calling for Universal Health Insurance
The United States must guarantee health insurance for every citizen by 2010 and only major reform at the federal level will make it happen, says the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in a report issued January 14. While the IOM avoids endorsing specific proposals or estimating costs, it provides five principles to guide the planning process. Health and Human Services Sec. Tommy Thompson said universal coverage by 2010 is "not realistic," indicating that the president would have more to say about the uninsured in his State of the Union address. Among Democratic presidential candidates, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Al Sharpton support a single-payer system for everyone. Others propose more limited reforms, with Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri supporting a requirement for employers to provide health insurance coverage to workers.

Health Care and the 2004 Elections at ACC '04
Will health care be a defining issue in the 2004 elections? Unquestionably, 2004 election results will shape the health care debate in the next Congress. Come hear what leading Democratic and Republican political pollsters Celinda Lake and Ed Goeas have to say about the presidential election and the hot congressional races across the country during a first-of-a-kind session at the ACC Scientific Conference in New Orleans. Hosted by the ACC Advocacy Division, Health Care in the 2004 Elections will be held on March 9 from 7-8:15 a.m., in Room 342 of the Morial Convention Center. The ACC hopes cardiovascular specialists will use this session as an opportunity to learn more about the races that will directly impact them. Free coffee and beignets from Café Du Monde will be served.

Democrats Threaten to Filibuster FY 2004 Appropriations Bill
A package of appropriations bills for FY 2004 stills needs to be voted on in the new 2004 legislative session. The bill, blocked in the Senate in early December, will return to the floor on January 20. According to Congressional Quarterly, Democratic leaders are still expected to mount a filibuster inspired by one change in the omnibus spending package, which would allocate $328 billion in discretionary appropriations. House Republicans have threatened not to return to the negotiating table if the filibuster succeeds and instead might fund discretionary programs at FY 2003 levels by adopting a year-long continuing resolution.