American College of Cardiology

October 1, 2003

Dear Colleague:

The impact of skyrocketing medical liability costs has been real and far reaching, with 19 states currently considered to be in a crisis with respect to rapidly rising liability insurance costs and eroding patient access to care as a result. Although a number of states have enacted liability reform laws, it is clear that there is a need to act on the federal level.

Trial lawyers and the associations that represent them are conducting their own campaigns opposing liability reform and will continue to do so. In spite of these efforts, polls show there is strong public sentiment for many of the reforms that physicians are advocating, including limits on when and where suits can be brought, caps on noneconomic damages, and other proven reforms.

Included in your dues statement is a request for a $45 contribution to help fund a public campaign on medical liability reform. This contribution will support an aggressive public awareness campaign being launched this year by a coalition of physician specialty medical societies, of which the ACC is a member. The ACC Board of Trustees voted in July to commit $250,000 to fund the College’s initial commitment to the campaign. We are asking for member support to increase that contribution. Already, five other specialties have committed more than one million dollars each to this effort.

The campaign to which you are being asked to contribute will build public support for our effort as practicing physicians who are concerned about patient access to care. It will educate the public about the deleterious impact this crisis is having on the nation’s health care system and enlist their support to put pressure on federal legislators to take the necessary actions to bring the situation under control. The timing is important as significant progress has been made with the current Congress and politicians may be more responsive to widespread public concerns with the upcoming 2004 elections.

I realize that not all states have been affected by this problem. But in one way or another, we are all being affected. As a result, I’m asking all ACC members, regardless of where they practice, to make this small but important contribution to this unique effort in which the College is engaged. The liability crisis is serious and only getting worse. It is imperative that we join our physician colleagues to fight this nationwide problem. I urge you to support the ACC’s efforts in this campaign and to help to implement changes that will have a lasting affect on patient care.

You can keep up to date on the campaign and this issue via the Medical Liability Reform Resource Center on the ACC Web site.

You have my sincere appreciation for the great work you do every day and for supporting the ACC’s efforts on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Carl J. Pepine, MD, MACC
President, American College of Cardiology