The ACC’s 2015 Legislative Conference is in full swing in Washington, DC. The conference kicked off on Sunday night with a special ACC Political Action Committee-sponsored reception and dinner featuring remarks from Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist, political commentator and psychiatrist Charles Krauthammer, MD. In the midst of a unique congressional climate, Krauthammer shared an insider’s perspective into the state of politics in Washington and the 2016 presidential election.

Today, a full lineup of sessions armed more than 400 attendees with the information needed to effect change in their states and on Capitol Hill. While it’s important for attendees to understand the health policy landscape every year, it’s more important than ever in 2015. Recent developments, including repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) by enactment of the Medicare Access and CHIP Authorization Act of 2015, release of new Meaningful Use regulations and ICD-10 implementation, have significantly shifted how health care is delivered, resulting in novel challenges and opportunities.

During the opening session, ACC President Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, FACC, gave an overview of the state of cardiology, ACC’s advocacy agenda and upcoming issues. While SGR is off the table, site of service, the in-office ancillary services exception to the Stark Law, clinical data registry development, funding for graduate medical education and medical research, tobacco/e-cigarette regulation, telemedicine, medical liability reform and population health are issues on the horizon for cardiology. Regardless of what cardiology is faced with, “we’re going to put patients first,” said Williams. “We always have and we always will.”

American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) was also a hot topic during the conference. ACC President-Elect Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC, and ACC Vice President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, provided an overview of changes recommended by the two ACC-convened MOC taskforces. (See what ACC Past President Patrick O’Gara, MD, MACC, and C. Michael Gibson, MD, FACC, had to say about MOC during an interview at TCT 2015.)

Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, provided the hospital perspective on a value-based future and shared examples of how hospitals nationwide are addressing population health and implementing innovative solutions to reduce health inequity. Siegel stressed that changes won't happen overnight, but by working together, we can "move mountains.”

Attendees also received insight into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) plans for further development of alternative payment models. Achieving better care, smarter spending and healthier people requires changing the way providers are paid, care is delivered and information is distributed, said Matthew Press, MD, MSc, from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

To round out the day, Brad Fitch, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, presented an entertaining session on how to be an effective grassroots leader to prepare ACC members for their congressional visits. While meeting with lawmakers in-person is the most effective tactic, according to Fitch, it’s not enough to visit once a year. Like with any relationship, effort must be put in to reap a reward. You’re encouraged to invite your congressional leaders to your practices so they can see first-hand how their decisions impact cardiovascular professionals and patients.

Tomorrow morning, it’s off to Capitol Hill. Watch the action unfold by following @Cardiology and #ACCLegConf on Twitter.

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