Health Care Policy: Let’s Work Together to Make a Difference! July 29, 2010

Recent changes in U.S. health care policy and reimbursement will greatly affect how we deliver care to patients with arrhythmia disorders.  The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) maintains a strong voice in Washington, D.C., with advocacy efforts focusing on issues of critical importance to heart rhythm specialists.  Our goal is to help promote a stronger health care system that provides patients with the care they need, when they need it. We recognize that the needs of health care specialists may differ from those of general practitioners when it comes to caring for patients with complex heart rhythm disorders, and that the care of these patients requires a “team approach.” 

Recently, several physician members of the Health Policy Committee, Quality Improvement Subcommittee and Reimbursement and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee visited Washington, D.C., to join other medical specialists who are also members of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine to advocate for the special needs of physicians who care for patients with heart rhythm disorders.

The HRS volunteers spent two days in Washington advocating for the care of heart rhythm patients. Our one-on-one meetings with Senators and Representatives addressed quality of care issues, including the implementation or repeal of several provisions of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” as well as support for legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Specialty physicians urged Congress to act immediately to replace the flawed Medicare physician payment system known as the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Other topics of discussion included the need to repeal or significantly change the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and the reassessment of geographic variation to focus on quality of treatment rather than cost reduction alone.

The Society has provided online tools to educate members about key issues regarding health care reform and to help individuals contact legislators or submit comments to federal agencies. Please take a moment to review the information and get involved.

You can make a difference!