American College of Cardiology

Rep. Stabenow Introduces Bill to Eliminate Medicare Payment Cuts
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has introduced the "Save Medicare Act of 2008" (S. 2785), to eliminate the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut scheduled for July 1. The legislation would replace the cut with a 0.5 percent update for the second half of 2008 and a 1.8 percent update for 2009. The Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) would remain funded at 1.5 percent for participating physicians in 2009. In addition, the legislation would extend certain rural provisions through 2009. Under the bill, the payment update for the remainder of 2008 and 2009 would be fully funded and would not increase the size or duration of future cuts. ACC members are urged to contact their Senators and ask them to cosponsor this bill. On the House side, ACC members are encouraged to contact their Representatives and ask them to sign on to a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) requesting congressional action to stop the slated payment cut. The letter also stresses the need for a positive payment update to allow time for Congress to enact long-term reforms and to create stability for patients and providers. To contact your lawmakers directly, call the ACC toll-free grassroots hotline at 1-800-210-7193. To sign the letter, Representatives should contact Lauren Finkelstein in the office of Rep. Mark Kirk at (202) 225-4835 or Dana Lichtenberg in the office of Rep. Bart Gordon at (202) 225-4231.

Meanwhile, Congress on Friday began a two-week recess, during which time the ACC will hold meetings with Senate Finance Committee members to continue discussions on the update. The committee is reportedly working on legislation that would extend a positive payment update for 18 months, as well as include policy to foster imaging quality and appropriateness, e-prescribing and comparative effectiveness. The House has indicated that it will wait for a Senate bill to begin discussion.

CMS Issues Final Decision Not to Limit Coverage of CTA
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decided NOT to move forward with its proposed National Coverage Decision (NCD) that would have limited Medicare coverage of Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA) to ONLY those instances where CTA is used as part of an ongoing clinical study meeting certain standards set by CMS. To read the complete ACC statement, go to: http://www.acc.org/advocacy/advoc_issues/ccta.htm.

ACC Hosts First "Second Wednesday" Payer Advocacy Call with UnitedHealthcare
ACC Payer Advocacy last week held the first of a series of "Second Wednesday" Webinars, intended to provide ACC members with the opportunity to learn, interact, ask questions, and receive answers to the most important payer issues affecting cardiovascular specialists and their practices. During the Webinar, Fred M. Krainin, M.D., F.A.C.C., co-chair of the ACC Advocacy Committee, welcomed UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Network Senior Vice President Kirk Stapleton and his senior executive team who work with cardiovascular issues. Stapleton discussed the latest diagnostic imaging laboratory policy accreditation policy; the joint ACC-UHC Nuclear Imaging Appropriateness Criteria Pilot; and provided updates on the UHC Physician Premium Designation program, among other topics. Over 110 cardiovascular practices joined the call and the College is receiving very positive feedback. The next Second Wednesday call is April 9.

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act Moving Forward
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released its proposed rule to implement the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. The rule includes a process that would protect health care practitioners who voluntarily report medical errors from fear of prosecution. It also proposes Patient Safety Organizations that would collect and analyze medical data confidentially. Comments on the proposed rule are due April 14; click here to comment.

Put Quality First at ACC.08
The ACC's Quality First campaign is interested in your thoughts about how best to reform the health care system. A short survey will be included in your registration bag onsite in Chicago. The first 500 individuals to return this survey to ACC Central booth #11076 will receive a free "Quality First" 1 GB USB drive.

In addition, several ACC.08 presentations will focus on quality-related topics. On Sunday, March 30, the ACC.08 Quality Spotlight will focus on "Practice Innovation: Driving Revenue, Quality and Value." Topics include future payment models, comparative effectiveness, challenges of translating science into practice and recommendations for reforming health care. The session will take place in McCormick Place, Room S403 from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Also Sunday, plan to attend the ACC.08 Scientific Showcase in McCormick Place, North Hall B1 from11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The quality-themed event features the Simon Dack Lecture by Donald M. Berwick, M.D., IHI CEO; presidential address by ACC President James T. Dove, M.D., F.A.C.C.; an ENHANCE trial presentation including a panel discussion; and more.

Finally, on Monday, March 31, start your morning with "Quality First" by attending the Louis F. Bishop Lecture, featuring former CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D. The lecture will take place at McCormick Place, Lakeside Building, E352 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. McClellan will address the question: “Will Quality Come First in Health Care System Reform?”