Contact: Stephanie Abraham, sabraham@acc.org, 202-275-6296

WASHINGTON, DC (July 19, 2012) — American College of Cardiology President William Zoghbi, MD, FACC, made the following statement after the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations Hearing on Health Care Realignment and Regulation:

“Private medical practices are vital in providing care to patients and at the same time are small businesses that need reliable payment systems to pay for office space, supplies, equipment and for salaries for the people they employ,” said American College of Cardiology President William Zoghbi, MD, FACC. “Small- and medium-sized practices are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in the current environment. Unpredictable and continued reduction in Medicare reimbursement, coupled with burdensome regulatory requirements have a direct negative impact on small physician practices.”

“The badly broken Sustainable Growth Rate formula is a major source of instability for all physicians, especially private practices. Congress can remove this one element of uncertainty by finding a permanent solution to the SGR, which currently threatens a nearly 30 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements in 2013,” Dr. Zoghbi said.

“We believe a sustainable Medicare payment system should provide opportunities for physicians to care for patients in private practice as well as in an employed model. The ideal payment system should be sustainable and reward patient-centered care, quality and outcome, demonstrated through appropriate use.”

 

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About the American College of Cardiology
The mission of the American College of Cardiology is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health. The College is a 40,000-member nonprofit medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers, and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists 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 http://www.cardiosource.org/ACC .

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