Cardiology Groups Implore President Obama: Stop Medicare Rule That Will Restrict Access to Heart Care

Ads focus on regulations scheduled for Nov. 1

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance (CAA) today announced a national advertising campaign imploring President Obama to halt Medicare regulations that will restrict patients' access to cardiac care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs the Medicare program, is scheduled to release the final 2010 Physician Fee Schedule by November 1. If the regulations are implemented as proposed, cardiologists will see cuts of 27-40 percent or more beginning January 1 for common cardiac tests used to diagnose and treat heart disease. The cuts to cardiology are in addition to the 21.5 percent reduction all physicians face in 2010 due to the flawed Sustainable Growth rate formula, and will force practices nationwide to lay off staff, close offices and otherwise reduce access to lifesaving treatments.

In an open letter running in the nation's flagship newspapers October 29, the ACC and CAA call upon the President to intercede with CMS to prevent the cuts to cardiology. The ads will run in The Washington Post, USA Today, The New York Times, and the President's hometown newspaper, The Chicago Tribune.

To view the ad, please click here.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 37,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians 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 www.acc.org.

About the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance

The CAA represents more than 5,000 private practice cardiologists across the nation and provides leadership and education on issues that affect the quality of patient care and access to cardiovascular services.

SOURCE American College of Cardiology