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Amy Murphy amurphy@acc.org,
(202) 375-6476
December
9, 2009
ACC Launches National Public Affairs Campaign to Preserve
Patient Access
Legislation Aimed at Reversing CMS Cuts to be
Introduced This Week
Washington, DC – Because cardiology
as we know it is in danger due to reckless cuts proposed by
Medicare’s 2010 physician fee schedule, the American
College of Cardiology (ACC) today announced congressional
sponsorship of new legislation while launching a nationwide
grassroots campaign.
The legislation, to be introduced by Rep. Charlie Gonzalez
(D-TX), will hold cardiology at 2009 practice expenses at
the current rates, while allowing other specialty practices
to operate at 2010 physician practice information survey (PPIS)
values.
Meanwhile, the ACC last week launched the Campaign for Patient
Access, a national public affairs campaign designed to tell
the story of how these cuts will limit the access of patients
all across the country to doctors who treat the nation’s
number one killer - heart disease.
“We've heard from several members of Congress this
week about in-depth conversations they've had with cardiologists
in their states about the impacts of the cuts on local communities
and patient services,” said ACC CEO Jack Lewin. “We’re
going to continue to do everything we can in the legislative,
legal and regulatory arenas to stop these cuts.”
“Meanwhile, local cardiologists are speaking out about
how their specific patients are going to be affected by these
draconian measures.”
The PPIS was reported earlier this year to the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) with faulty survey data
from the American Medical Association (AMA). These results,
based on responses from only 55 out of 1,500 physicians surveyed
became law, and as a result, cardiologists across the country
face cuts in their reimbursement rates of up to 40 percent.
The cuts are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2010.
For more information on the CMS cuts and to find out what
local cardiologists are saying, you may view the campaign’s
Web site at www.campaignforpatientaccess.org.
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About the ACC:
The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal
cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is
a 37,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the
credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon
physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College
is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards
and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular
research. The ACC provides professional education and operates
national registries for the measurement and improvement of
quality care. More information about the association is available
online at www.acc.org .
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