This post was authored by Eugene Sherman, MD, FACC, chair of the Advocacy Steering Committee and Political Action Committee.

“The time has come for all of us, young and old, to get involved in this reshaping of our health care system.” - James T. Dove, MD, MACC, ACC President, 2007-2008

In a few days, ACC members will come together to advocate for and discuss the key issues facing cardiology. As David May said in a previous blog post, “the meeting will arm the entire cardiac care team with the information and tools necessary to effect change on both the state and national level.”

Although the conference is sure to be a success with nearly 400 members making an impact by meeting directly with their congressional leaders, I can’t help but remind myself that there are some of us who are less comfortable taking such action.

I’ll tell you this: no one in the ACC can tell YOU how or why YOU should advocate for your patients, for your profession, for cardiovascular research dollars, or for the survival of your practice. However, it is reasonable to ask that you become engaged.  If you choose to read the ACC Advocate and talk about these issues with your colleagues, this is a great first step.  If you write a letter to a member of Congress to raise awareness of our cardiovascular issues, this may be a bigger step for you.  If you find your way to the ACC's annual Legislative Conference, then you have just joined hundreds of your colleagues who have also made the effort.  If you write a check to the ACCPAC, then you have made the voice of cardiology stronger.

Sitting on the sidelines is not a choice.  Your ACC leaders and the members of your Advocacy Steering Committee ask that you become engaged in a manner that fits you best.  The future of cardiovascular care is dependent on the engagement of our members.

The ACC is a member driven organization where every member counts and every voice is heard!

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