Increasing Community Access to AEDs

Providing communities with readily accessible AEDs combined with appropriate training can mean the difference between life and death for individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. As schools are the epicenters of communities, it is crucial that they are equipped with the proper equipment and training to swiftly address emergency situations.

Co-sponsor and support the Access to AEDs Act (H.R. 2370/S. 1024), introduced by Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Bill Posey (R-FL) and Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which would establish a federal grant program for school funding to purchase and maintain AEDs and provide training opportunities for their proper usage.

Improving Student Heart Health

ACC's Mission is to improve heart health and transform cardiovascular care for all, which includes advocating for cardiomyopathy awareness and education initiatives to be developed and distributed to schools, teachers and parents. The College also has long supported increased AED access and training.

Co-sponsor the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research and AED Training in the Schools Act of 2024 (H.R. 6829), introduced by Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (R-NJ), which would establish education and awareness initiatives related to cardiomyopathy and support the placement of AEDs in schools in addition to CPR and AED training.

Short-Term Medicare Solutions

Stagnant and declining payment for Medicare services exacerbates financial uncertainty for practices and worsens disparities in care delivery. Congressional action is necessary before the end of 2024 to eliminate the 2.8% cut introduced by the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and mitigate increasing financial pressures on clinicians. This short-term fix is crucial to ensure practices can keep their doors open, retain their staff and provide patients across the U.S. with ample access to high-quality patient care.

Support the inclusion of language in any legislation that would eliminate the proposed 2.8% cut to physician payment in the 2025 Medicare PFS.

Maintaining Critical Telehealth Flexibilities

Congress temporarily expanded access to Medicare telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including reimbursement for audio-only services, waiving originating site restrictions, and offering cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services remotely. However, some of these flexibilities expire at the end of 2024 or have already lapsed. Establishing these flexibilities as permanent fixtures in the U.S. health care system can improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions. The ACC urges Congress to ensure telehealth remains a viable option for patients.

Co-sponsor and support the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act (H.R. 1406/S. 3021), introduced by Reps. John Joyce, MD, (R-PA) and Scott Peters (D-CA) and Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Additionally, support telehealth legislation maintaining broader telehealth flexibilities within Medicare to ensure patients can continue to access the care they need.

Streamlining Prior Authorization Practices

Prior authorization can lead to delays and abandonment in patient care and contribute to clinician burnout. The ACC has long advocated for the streamlining and modernization of prior authorization processes to reduce administrative burden among clinicians and delays in care for patients. The ACC applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for implementing a rule earlier this year that mandates the use of electronic prior authorization, increases transparency, tightens response timelines and creates a pathway for CMS to institute real-time decision-making for routinely approved services in the future. The College sees federal legislation as a necessary next step.

Co-sponsor and support the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 (H.R. 8702/S. 4532), introduced by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-IN) as well as Sens. Roger Marshall, MD, (R-KS), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), making the regulatory actions taken by CMS permanent.

Long-Term, Sustainable Medicare Payment Reform

Significant reductions in physician payment for Medicare services and a lack of inflationary update exacerbate financial uncertainty for medical practices and threaten patient access to care. The ACC urges Congress to work with the College and the broader medical community to create sustainable and long-term solutions to bring more stability to the system and ensure clinicians can focus on providing high-quality patient care.

Co-sponsor and support the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474), introduced by Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-IN) and Raul Ruiz, MD, (D-CA), which would update the PFS conversion factor to be equal to the estimated percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index. Additionally, the ACC asks lawmakers to co-sponsor and support the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371), introduced by Reps. Greg Murphy, MD, (R-NC) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) as well as the Physician Fee Stabilization Act (S. 4935), introduced by Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT). These bills seek to increase the budget neutrality threshold from $20 million to $53 million, allowing CMS to increase payments to certain specialties while minimizing reductions from others.