This is it, folks. The event you’ve been waiting for all year -- ACC.09, of course. The science is at an all-time groundbreaking level, attendance is high and the education simply can’t be beat. This year’s meeting will focus on quality, quality and more quality in cardiovascular practice.

We started this morning with the the ACC.09 Scientific Showcase, featuring the Simon Dack Lecture by Princeton University economics professor Uwe Reinhardt, a presidential address by ACC President Doug Weaver, M.D., F.A.C.C., and a JUPITER trial presentation. Reinhardt discussed the challenges facing the health care system and its stakeholders, while Dr. Weaver discussed the challenges facing the cardiology profession.

Starting a little after noon, noted health care economist Len Nichols will present the 48^th Annual Louis Bishop lecture on “What Health Care Reform Will Cost Us: And Why Doing Nothing Will Cost Us Even More.”  Nichols, who spoke at our 2009 Health System Reform Summit, will discuss the problems with the health care system and its payment structure. The health care system can’t afford “business as usual” and something must change. Following his presentation, president-elect Fred Bove, M.D., F.A.C.C., immediate past president, Jim Dove, M.D., M.A.C.C., and past president Tim Garson, M.D., M.A.C.C., and I will discuss the implications of and chances for health care reform.

Reform isn’t going to be easy, but we’ve got to do it. If we can just implement some of the ideas from Reinhardt and Nichols, we’ll be well on our way.

*** Image from Flickr (Stacy Young) ***

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