This post is from ACC Fellow in Training Justin Bachmann, MD, who attended the 2010 Legislative Conference earlier this week.

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Washington is something of an old friend.  I had the chance to get well-acquainted with the city during my Internal Medicine training at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Now a Cardiology fellow at UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and the Fellow in Training representative for the Texas Chapter of the ACC, I return to DC several times a year.  This was my first year at the ACC Legislative Conference, and I was exceedingly impressed.  The ACC staff has clearly put a lot of work into helping us advocate for our profession through the most effective channel – as constituents.

I arrived at the Fairmont Hotel on Sunday afternoon.  The ACC Political Action Committee was kind enough to host a happy hour for Fellows in Training on Sunday night.  I had a chance to catch up with several other fellows that I met on the interview trail back when I was a resident.  The highlight of dinner that night was the Capitol Steps performance.  The Capitol Steps are an improv group known for their scathing wit, and every elected official is fair game.  The Pelosi/Reid tag team skit was particularly hilarious.

The next morning we got down to business.  The Texas delegation had a good turnout.  I sat with Dr. David May, the Texas chapter President, Dr. Rick Snyder, the immediate past President and Dr. George Rodgers, a former chapter President.  One of my fellow colleagues from San Antonio, Dr. Oscar Bailon, was also present.  The day started with an update on the legislative arena by ACC CEO Dr. Jack Lewin and the ACC advocacy staff.  Dr. Lewin then spoke about the effects of the recent CMS rule on cardiology practices throughout the nation, including trends towards hospital integration and the increasing strain on private practices.  I’d be lying if I said the picture was anything but bleak.

Luckily, we learned that Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX), one of cardiology’s most ardent supporters, was planning on introducing legislation to require that reimbursement cuts be phased in gradually instead of being implemented immediately.  Together with his prior legislation designed to reverse the severe cuts to cardiology services, Rep. Gonzalez’s efforts represent our profession’s best chance at protecting ourselves from the recent CMS rule.  Dr. Brindis fittingly honored the Congressman with the President’s Award for Distinguished Public Service later that evening.  Rep. Gonzalez received a standing ovation, and deservedly so.

Our appointments on the Hill on Tuesday started off in Kenny Marchand’s (R-TX) office.  We to moved on to visit with the staff of Pete Sessions (R-TX), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), and Solomon Ortiz (D-TX).  It’s clear that everyone is concentrating on being reelected and issues such as the sustainable growth rate (SGR) won’t be tackled so close to election day.  However, most of the offices seemed receptive to signing on to Rep. Gonzalez’s new legislation.  

As I look back on the Legislative Conference on my way home to Dallas, I’m grateful that the ACC has a highly motivated advocacy staff that is working to protect our legislative interests.  I’m particularly grateful to Dr. May and Dr. Snyder, with whom I spent the day on Tuesday during my Hill visits.  Dr. May and Dr. Snyder have been incredibly supportive of fellows in Texas and are skilled advocates for the profession.  I appreciate their mentorship and guidance.  Hopefully by next year Rep. Gonzalez’s legislation will be signed into law.  Either way, I’ll certainly plan on visiting the Hill with my colleagues from Texas in 2011.

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