In a joint President's Message published Dec. 3 in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, ACC President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, and American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Jonathan R. Lindner, MD, FACC, FASE, discuss the benefits of greater cooperation between the different societies in cardiology to provide a unified message on quality patient care.

At ACC's 2018 Legislative Conference, both the ACC and ASE met with legislators over the course of several days and discussed current health care policy trends, along with issues that affect both the quality of care that they provide and cost of practice. Attendees also focused on representatives from their home states to build a list on the issues from a grassroots level.

As health care policy decisions are complex and the political landscape can be difficult to navigate, Lindner and Valentine explain the importance of cardiology societies setting aside minor differences and working together for a common voice on larger issues that affect all. "Valentine went to great lengths at the ACC Legislative Conference to advocate for greater cooperation between the different societies in cardiology," Lindner writes. "The most impactful statement he made was that that when legislators hear many different opinions from the 'house of cardiology,' then they hear none."

Both Valentine and Lindner note that they are lucky to have capable people within their societies who take great care in these issues. "One of ACC's major goals is for all of us to have a unified message on quality patient care and decrease clinician administrative burden, which is key to our ability to provide that quality care," Lindner concludes. "Although both Valentine and I are committed to these goals, it is important that you also advocate for our role in providing quality care."

Keywords: Echocardiography, Patient Care, Health Policy, Quality of Health Care

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