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Recent headlines from around the country on our efforts to stop the cuts
Private Sector ACO 'Collaborative' Lays Health Reform Groundwork
May 25, 2010
A voluntary, private collaboration of 19 clinically integrated health plans are getting a head start on health reform by forming an accountable care organization with an aim to better coordinate care, cut costs and improve health outcomes for patients.
More Doctors Giving Up Private Practices
March 25, 2010 · The New York Times
A quiet revolution is transforming how medical care is delivered in this country, and it has very little to do with the sweeping health care legislation that President Obama just signed into law. But it could have a big impact on that law's chances for success.
Rush Limbaugh takes a call on the CMS cuts
March 5, 2010
Doctors, patients, staff members feel pain of 21 percent Medicare cut
March 1, 2010 · Palm Beach Post
Doctors who treat Medicare patients said they continued appointments as usual Monday, despite a 21 percent cut in their reimbursement that went into effect because of a Congressional stalemate. But if those Medicare cuts stick, all bets are off, doctors cautioned.
Reimbursement cuts hitting hard at local cardiology offices
February 15, 2010 · KENS 5 San Antonio
Several private cardiology practices in San Antonio are having to lay off employees. They say declining reimbursements from the government are making it harder and harder to recover the costs of doing business. Dr. Charles Rabinowitz is a cardiologist. He loves his job, loves taking care of patients, using the knowledge and skills he's honed from years in school and years in business to help save people's lives.
Medicare cuts rile local cardiologists
February 14, 2010 · South Bend Tribune
A carton of name-brand cigarettes costs about $55 these days. Thanks to existing and coming Medicare reimbursement cuts for cardiology services, the federal insurer of the elderly and disabled will soon reimburse Indiana physicians close to the same for a cardiac stress test performed in their offices. Local independent cardiologists say these cuts could drive them to go to work for hospitals or perhaps even out of business altogether.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/02/15/focus1.html
February 12, 2010 · Kansas City Business Journal
Hearts are aflutter among local cardiologists. The cause of the palpitations is a new Medicare payment schedule that cut reimbursements so dramatically that the American College of Cardiology is warning practices that they might see revenue decrease by as much as 25 percent. A four-year phase-in of the schedule began Jan. 1.
Help Us Keep Hearts Healthy This Valentine's Day
February 11, 2010 · Huffington Post
As Valentine's Day 2010 approaches, there is both good news and bad news for heart patients in New York. First, the good news. Over the last decade, the mortality rate for cardiovascular disease in the U.S. has dropped an unprecedented 30%. This tops the progress made in the fight against all other illnesses, including cancer. Cardiologists are successfully preventing heart attacks, and returning cardiac patients quickly to normal activities.
TEST POLICE: Insurers hire help to monitor doctors' testing
February 8, 2010 · WHO TV
In Washington, the debate continues over the government's role in health care. But doctors say there's already someone playing a role in your care, you probably don't know about. You won't ever meet them, but they could have the final say in your health care decisions.
Cardiologists Contest Medicare Cuts
January 13, 2010 · Kaiser Health News
A cardiologists' lobby filed suit against Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, claiming cuts to heart care services, especially diagnostic tests, are unjustified, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. A judge has already ruled that he can't intervene on the cardiologists' behalf, leaving the doctors to go through the government's complaint process "before considering a suit." The president of the American College of Cardiology "contends the pay cut will make doctors give up their private practices and work for hospitals," which could limit access to some services for patients, and end up costing more, since hospitals charge more for the same services.
Cardiologist on front lines of medical-fee battle
January 13, 2010 · Philadelphia Inquirer
As president of the American College of Cardiology, Bove is point man in a contentious campaign to protect pay for its 37,000 members as the government makes cuts that would shift money from heart specialists like himself to primary-care doctors.
Some local cardiologists fighting Medicare cuts
January 12, 2010 · Ventura County Star
Senior citizens with heart problems may have trouble getting the tests or cardiologists they need unless a federal judge blocks new Medicare cuts, according to Ventura County doctors embroiled in a national struggle over reimbursement.
Doc groups wanting payment system fixed before reform
January 11, 2010 · Modern Healthcare
Meanwhile, the American College of Cardiology and several other professional medical associations have filed a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in an attempt to permanently block the Medicare reimbursement rate reduction for cardiology services that was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., charges that Sebelius used a flawed Physician Practice Information Survey, which gathers information about practice expenses, to help determine the rate reduction.
National Law Journal, Cardiologists file last-ditch suit to stop cuts in Medicare reimbursement
January 4, 2010 · The National Law Journal
The clock is ticking for heart specialists who have sued the federal government over pending Medicare cuts. The cuts, which will reduce reimbursements to private cardiologists by almost 40%, are scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 15. In a last-ditch effort, the American College of Cardiology is seeking to enjoin implementation of the cuts in a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in the Southern District of Florida. In its Dec. 28 complaint, the ACC, along with several co-plaintiffs, alleges that the proposed cuts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are based on faulty information and will limit patient access to critical tests.
Radio Success in Delaware
January, 2010
Click here to hear the Audio News release that reached over 29,300 listeners in Delaware!
Radio Success in New York
January, 2010
Click here to hear the Audio News release that reached over 1,612,360 listeners in New York!
Radio Success in New Jersey
January, 2010
Click here to hear the Audio News release that reached over 233,300 listeners in New Jersey!
Dr. Fasules on Newsradio 570's Healthcare Roundtable
December 31, 2009
Four members of the health care industry discuss some of the fallout from the proposed health care bill.
ACC Sues HHS Secretary Over Payment Cuts
December 31, 2009 · Dotmed.com
The American College of Cardiology filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Monday to halt upcoming Medicare payment cuts to doctors they say will drive cardiologists out of private practice. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, hopes to block the 2010 Medicare Physician Schedule from going into effect on January 15, 2010. ACC believes the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) schedule change, which cuts Medicare reimbursements to cardiologists by almost 40 percent, is based on faulty data and will limit patient access to critical diagnostic tests.
Medicare cuts cripple access to cardio care
December 31, 2009 · Passiac Valley Today
Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, Medicare patients throughout New Jersey will find it more difficult to receive potentially life-saving heart tests and treatments. The cause: a cut in the federal reimbursement system that compensates private cardiovascular clinics for serving Medicare patients. "Heart disease is the nation's number one killer, but instead of dedicating new resources to fight this terrible disease we are on the verge of severing patient access to care," said Dr. Louis Evan Teichholz, chief of cardiology at Hackensack Medical Center and New Jersey governor of the American College of Cardiology. "Private cardiovascular clinics are an essential part of the health care delivery system. Yet, these cuts will make it exceptionally difficult for them to continue treating Medicare patients."
Cardiologists sue HHS Secretary over PFS payment rates
December 31, 2009 · CCH Research News
On December 28, 2009, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) filed a complaint against HHS Secretary Sebelius alleging that Sebelius, in her capacity as HHS Secretary, unlawfully adopted the payment rates for cardiology services in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final rule by using the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS), despite the presence of clear defects in the PPIS data, and therefore violated the Medicare statute and the Administrative Procedures Act.
Cardiologists, Other Groups Sue HHS Over Reduced Reimbursement Rates for 2010
December 31, 2009 · BNA's Health Care Daily
The American College of Cardiology Dec. 28 filed a civil lawsuit in federal court in Miami alleging Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius unlawfully adopted reduced payment rates for cardiology services in the 2010 Medicare physician fee schedule ( American College of Cardiology Inc. v. Sebelius, S.D. Fla., No. 09-CV-62034-Dimitrouleas-Snow, filed 12/28/09). The reduced payments threaten patient access to care while "precipitously" increasing medical care costs, the ACC said in a written statement.Cuts for cardiologists could be reduced by as much as 42 percent for 2010, Amy Murphy, a spokeswoman for ACC, told BNA.
Cardiologists sue federal government over proposed Medicare payment cuts
December 30, 2009 · Naples Daily News
The new year won't be a happy one for cardiologists because of Medicare payment cuts scheduled to take effect Friday for preventive and diagnostic services to patients. If the American College of Cardiology isn't successful in getting an injunction against the federal government to put the cuts on hold, private-practice cardiologists say they have no choice but to drastically scale back tests on patients, reduce the number of Medicare patients they treat and lay off employees.
ACC Files Complaint Against HHS Secretary For Adopting Unlawful Cardiology Payment Rates
December 30, 2009 · Becker's Hospital Review
The American College of Cardiology has filed a complaint against the Department of Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius in United States District Court alleging that Sec. Sebelius, in her capacity as the HHS Secretary, unlawfully adopted the payment rates for cardiology services in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by using an invalid Physician Practice Information Survey in a manner that threatens access to care for patients and precipitously increases medical care costs
Cardiologists Sue Federal Government
December 30, 2009 · The Ledger
The American College of Cardiology filed a lawsuit Dec. 29 against the federal official in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services in an effort to block the upcoming payment cuts.
Groups sue over impending reimbursement cut
December 29, 2009 · Modern Healthcare
The American College of Cardiology and several other professional medical associations have filed a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in an attempt to block a Medicare reimbursement rate reduction scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., charges that Sebelius used a flawed Physician Practice Information Survey, which gathers information about practice expenses, to help determine the rate reduction. Those flaws include using information from a sample of only 55 cardiologists, which the plaintiffs allege is too small and unrepresentative of the 37,000 cardiologists now practicing throughout the country.
Cardiologists sue government to enjoin new Medicare rule
December 29, 2009 · Examiner
In what many observers suspect is a harbinger of legal challenges to come, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) today sued the federal Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to block implementation of a new reimbursement rule that, the doctors say, will make critical diagnostic and other cardiology services unavailable to the patients who need them most
ACC Sues HHS over Medicare Rate Cuts
December 29, 2009 · MedPage Today
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has filed suit against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius charging that the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was adopted unlawfully.
ACC Sues Sebelius Over Medicare Fee Cuts
December 29, 2009 · Diagnostic and Invasive Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) today said it filed a complaint against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in United States District Court.
Cardiologists sue Sebelius over Medicare fee cuts
December 29, 2009 · USA Today
Heart specialists on Monday filed suit against Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in an effort to stave off steep Medicare fee cuts for routine office-based procedures such as nuclear stress tests and echocardiograms.
Denver Doctor: Cardiologists Bear Brunt Of Medicare Cost Cuts
December 28, 2009 · Denver 7NEWS
Two of Denver's largest cardiovascular care facilities are sounding the alarm about the effects of impending cuts in Medicare reimbursement. Although Congress has placed a hold on a planned across the board cut of 21 percent for all doctors, the American College of Cardiology said it appears that additional cuts for cardiology services will take effect Jan. 1.
Rate cuts strike at heart of health care; Medicare reimbursement losses put local cardiology services on critical list
December 26, 2009 · Catskill Daily Mail
With the fight over health care reaching a fever pitch in Washington and the big insurance companies getting pretty much everything they want from the Senate, Medicare reimbursement rates for important cardiology tests are being drastically cut. The American College of Cardiology, a 37,000 member non-profit medical society, feels much of this drop is due to recent rapid advances in medicine and medical technology which, in turn, results in improvements to the quality of care. Beginning Jan. 1 the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid, the federal agency that runs Medicare, will cut Medicare payments to cardiologists by as much as 27 percent for cardiology private practices and according to the ACC this could severely curtail the gains made over the last decade. About 90 private practice cardiologists from Schenectady to Hudson fear that these cuts to Medicare reimbursements will affect patients' access to care, especially in the use of diagnostic tests such as nuclear stress tests and echocardiograms, which the ACC says are vital in helping to diagnose the onset of heart disease.
Radio Success in Tennessee
December 22, 2009
Click here to hear the Audio News release that reached over 513,200 listeners in Tennessee!
Radio Success in Florida
December 22, 2009
Click here to hear the Audio News release that reached over 571,957 listeners in Florida!
Radio Success in Alabama
December 16, 2009
Listen to the audio news release that was aired reaching over 450 thousand listeners!
Radio Success in Illinois
December 16, 2009
Listen to the audio news release that was aired reaching over 650 thousand listeners!
Radio Success in Colorado
December 10, 2009
Listen to the audio news release that was aired on over 30 radio stations and reached over 375 thousand listeners!
Guest commentary: Medicare cuts in health-care bill will cost seniors
December 9, 2009 · Naples Daily News
On Dec. 3 the U.S. Senate voted to keep significant Medicare cuts in the health-care overhaul bill despite polls showing seniors are concerned about their benefits. Senators voted 50 to 42 to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. that would have stripped more than $400 billion in Medicare cuts from the health-care bill. The measure would have sent the health-care bill back to the Finance Committee for redo.
Medicare: Cuts will hurt heart disease fight
December 9, 2009 · Florida Times-Union
On Jan. 1, Medicare patients in Florida will confront a new reality in cardiovascular care. The Obama administration has released the final 2010 Medicare fee schedule, severely cutting reimbursement for Medicare cardiovascular services by as much as 40 percent to 60 percent.
Medicare cuts threaten heart care
December 6, 2009 · Bradenton Herald
On Jan. 1, 2010, Medicare patients in the state of Florida will confront a new reality – increased difficulty in access to cardiovascular care. The Obama administration released the final 2010 Physician Fee Schedule on Nov. 1, severely cutting cardiovascular services – some by as much as 50 percent.
Cardiology centers, Delta Dental feverish over reform
December 2, 2009 · Denver Business Journal
Count area cardiology centers and Delta Dental of Colorado among the legions who are jittery about Washington's health care efforts. Two of Denver's larger cardiovascular care practices say they could be forced to cut back on patient services – including closing clinics and reducing staff – due to Medicare reimbursement cuts scheduled to go into effect January 2010.
Heart specialists concerned about 2010 Medicare payment cuts
November 26, 2009 · Wilmington Star News
Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its updated plan for how it would pay physicians for their services to those patients in Medicare, the government insurance program for the elderly and disabled. In the fee schedule, cardiologists saw steep reductions in the payments for imaging and diagnostic services as well as the dropping of consultation fees. This comes on top of a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements facing all physicians because of a growth rate formula. The House recently passed a bill to address that issue. The new payment rules, to be phased in over the next four years, would reduce payments for cardiovascular-related services by an average of 27 percent for private practices, according to the American College of Cardiology.
AHA: Cardiologists Face Major Payment Cut But Still Back Reform
November 15, 2009 · MedPage Today
In this exclusive MedPage Today InFocus video report, the vice president of the American College of Cardiology sounds an alarm about the potentially devastating effects of planned Medicare payment cuts to its cardiologists, but but he says payment concerns are unlikely to weaken the ACC's longstanding support for healthcare reform.
CMS cuts could make hospitalists out of cardiologists
November 5, 2009 · Cardiovascular Business
Since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its 2010 physician fee final rule last week with cuts to cardiology practices averaging 27 percent, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has expressed adamant opposition, and its CEO, Jack Lewin, MD, said that this will cause the shuttering of practices.
CMS set to cut Medicare physician fees for cardiovascular imaging
November 3, 2009 · TheHeart.org
Against a chorus of opposition from cardiovascular imaging specialists, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is planning to make significant cuts to physician payments for several cardiovascular imaging services. Dr Jack Lewin, CEO of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), agrees that that impact of the cuts could be devastating for private practices. "This is truly a black day for cardiology. There has never been an assault of this magnitude on cardiology, ever." Lewin fears "private-practice cardiology will cease to exist as viable, and cardiologists will shift to hospitals or integrated systems."
Proposed Cutbacks to Medicare May Threaten Rural Cardiac Centers
November 2, 2009 · Cardiology Today
Cardiologists very much support improved pay for primary care physicians, but not at the expense of reduced echo and nuclear services. The American College of Cardiology, together with specialty imaging societies including ASE, ASNC and SCCT, have long supported aggressive approaches to ensuring that imaging is used appropriately and overutilization is reduced selectively, but not by reducing access to appropriate care using a blunt instrument of reducing payment for services to an untenable level.
Doctors battle Medicare formula
November 1, 2009 · The Arizona Republic
The American College of Cardiology, for example, warned that the Medicare cuts along with previous cuts are a "grave threat to cardiology practices and the patients they serve."
Proposed cutbacks to Medicare may threaten rural cardiac centers
November 1, 2009 · Cardiology Today
The American College of Cardiology, together with specialty imaging societies including ASE, ASNC and SCCT, have long supported aggressive approaches to ensuring that imaging is used appropriately and overutilization is reduced selectively, but not by reducing access to appropriate care using a blunt instrument of reducing payment for services to an untenable level.
Medicare Eases Next Year's Cuts for Heart, Cancer Specialists
October 31, 2009 · Bloomberg
The phase-in means "a slow death" for heart doctors, said Jack Lewin, chief executive officer of the Washington-based American College of Cardiology, in a telephone interview yesterday. "Most cardiologists will still see the handwriting on the wall" and elect to leave the practice. Specialists will appeal to Congress, said Lewin, who had pledged the "tooth and nail" effort. Lawmakers have 60 days to let the cuts take effect Jan. 1 or order changes.
Docs Slam Medicare Payment Rule
October 30, 2009 · Congressional Quarterly HEALTHBEAT
"While CMS has attempted to mitigate the impacts of these cuts by spreading them out over a four-year period, the bottom line is these cuts will cripple the nation's ability to treat cardiovascular disease," said Jack Lewin, an ACC official. "People will needlessly suffer and patients will die as a result of what CMS did today."
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The War on Specialists
October 6, 2009 · Wall Street Journal
The chunks Team Obama took out of cardiology RVUs are especially drastic. The basic tools of heart specialists–echocardiograms (stress tests) and catheterizations–are slashed by 42% and 24%, respectively. Jack Lewin, who heads the American College of Cardiology, said in an interview that the crackdown will cause "a horrible disruption" that will force many community and independent practices to close their doors, lay off staff or make senior patients wait days or weeks for tests and services.
Q&A with Jack Lewin
September 15, 2009 · The Hill
Groups representing consumers, physicians, drug companies, insurers and many other stakeholders are closely monitoring the debate to overhaul the nation's healthcare system. The Hill recently interviewed a major player in the evolving debate, Jack Lewin, CEO of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
The Corporate "Alliance" For Health Care Reform: V - Organized Medicine
September 9, 2009 · Huffington Post
In July 2009, the Administration proposed a plan to cut Medicare payments to cardiologists and oncologists by more than 10 percent each while increasing reimbursement to family physicians by 8 percent and nurses by 7 percent. This prompted leaders of the American College of Cardiology to warn that "The cuts could have the unintended consequences of rationing care, especially in rural regions with a large number of Medicare patients. In other areas, specialists may decide to pull out of Medicare, or ask patients to make up the difference with higher out-of-pocket payments."
Cardiologists Crying Foul Over Obama Medicare Cuts
August 28, 2009 · Bloomberg
"Our 37,000 members are fighting tooth and nail on these other issues rather than fighting thoughtfully for expanding access," said Jack Lewin, 63, chief executive officer of the Washington-based American College of Cardiology.
Cardiologists fuming over proposed cuts to Medicare
August 23, 2009 · Daily Commercial
"These proposed cuts are based on the incorporation of a few esoteric pieces of data into a complex formula," stated Dr. Alfred Bove, president of the college, in a press release. "The focus on this formula completely ignores the very important issues of access that are certain to be created by these huge slashes in payment." Cardiologists wouldn't be the only physicians affected by the proposed cuts, if they are approved.
A Basis Is Seen for Some Health Plan Fears Among the Elderly
August 20, 2009 · New York Times
"Cuts of this magnitude could cripple cardiology practices and threaten access to services for millions of patients," said Dr. John C. Lewin, chief executive of the American College of Cardiology.
CMS Announces New Payment Rules that Benefit Primary Care Docs
July 2, 2009 · MedPage Today
Cardiologists, meanwhile, expect an 11% cut in reimbursements, according to the American College of Cardiology (ACC). "The American College of Cardiology is shocked that CMS has proposed to cut payments to cardiology services by 11 percent in a single year," Alfred Bove, MD, president of the ACC, said in a release.
Medicare Plans to Cut Specialists' Payments
July 2, 2009 · Wall Street Journal
Payments to cardiologists would be trimmed by 11% overall, but certain procedures they perform would see steeper reductions. Alfred Bove, president of the American College of Cardiology, figured that cardiologists would receive 42% less for an echocardiogram and 24% less for a cardiac catheterization.
