ACC's Legislative Conference 2023 / Oct. 15 - 17, 2023

The three-day meeting took place in Washington, DC and offered cardiovascular clinicians spanning the entire care team a chance to hear from ACC leaders, staff and other experts on health policy issues affecting patients and the profession, while also providing an important opportunity to speak directly with members of Congress and their staff.

Conference Tips

• Follow @Cardiology on X (formerly Twitter) and the ACC Advocate newsletter for updates!
• Email Meg Novak (mnovak@acc.org) with questions.

In preparation for ACC's Legislative Conference, these resources were referenced:

• 2023 Legislative Conference Agenda
• 2023 Legislative Conference Talking Points
• How-To Lobby Webinar Video
• Recent HeartPAC Updates:
  • Best Practices for Meeting With Lawmakers
  • Overview of Key Congressional Committees
  • Fall Federal Advocacy Update
  • Keys to Building Relationships With Policymakers
  • Advocacy Messaging Strategies

Background Information For ACC Legislative Conference 2023 Talking Points

Increasing Patient Access to Care: This document outlines the background and history of ACC's work on Medicare reimbursement, key takeaways and our ask to Congress to seek reform that will improve access to cardiovascular care and optimize patient outcomes and health.

• Additional Resources:
  • Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) Bill Text
  • H.R. 2474 Press Release
  • ACC's Vision for Optimal CV Care
  • H.R. 2474 Letter of Support
  • Bera/Bucshon Medicare Payment Reform Letter

Improving Heart Health For All: This document outlines the background and history of ACC's work on health equity related issues, including expanded access to AEDs in elementary and secondary schools and addressing coverage issues and the need for increased education related to peripheral artery disease, which disproportionately affects people of color and those in underserved communities.

• Additional Resources:
  • Access to AEDs Act of 2023 (H.R. 2370 and S. 1024) Bill Text
  • H.R. 2370 Press Release and S. 1024 Press Release
  • Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act (H.R. 4261) Bill Text
  • H.R. 4261 Press Release
  • ARC Act Coalition Letter

Protecting Clinician Well-Being and Workforce: This document outlines the background and history of ACC's work on clinician workforce and well-being, including reducing administrative burden through prior authorization reform and utilizing existing workstreams to allow advanced practice providers the ability to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

• Additional Resources:
  • Getting Over Lengthy Delays in Care As Required by Doctors Act (H.R. 4968) Bill Text
  • H.R. 4968 Press Release
  • Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2023 (H.R. 2583) Bill Text
  • H.R. 2583 Press Release
  • Regulatory Relief Coalition Letter on Prior Authorization

Check out highlights from ACC's 2022 Legislative Conference here.

Check out highlights from ACC's 2021 Legislative Conference here.