Campaign for Patient Access
For many patients, a cardiology appointment is the next step after months of fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pressure, or reduced exercise tolerance. When…
A national public affairs campaign launched by the American College of Cardiology in December 2009 to oppose Medicare physician fee schedule cuts affecting cardiology patients and practices.
About the Campaign
The Campaign for Patient Access was launched by the American College of Cardiology in December 2009 as a national effort to reverse Medicare physician fee schedule cuts that threatened cardiovascular care. The site provided background on the issue, the ACC's legislative and legal response, resources for patients and practices, a newsroom tracking coverage across the country, and ways for supporters to share their stories and support the campaign.
From the Newsroom
April 30, 2010
Medicare Meltdown: Access to Health Care in "Critical Condition"
A press release warning that cardiology access was in critical condition due to Medicare payment cuts.
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December 29, 2009
Cardiology Takes Legal Action Against Medicare
The ACC filed suit against HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius over the 2010 Physician Fee Schedule.
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January 12, 2010
ACC Statement on Health Care Reform
The ACC used the State of the Union address to highlight the need to reverse the Medicare cuts.
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April 12, 2010
Medicare Patients and Physicians Join Petition Drive
Patients and physicians in Washington, DC joined a petition drive calling on Congress for Medicare reform.
Read moreGuides
When a patient needs a heart procedure, time can affect diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and peace of mind. Yet access to cardiology depends on more than the…
Preventive cardiology depends on finding risk before it becomes an emergency. Blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, cardiovascular…
People born with congenital heart disease often need medical care throughout their lives. Follow-up may include imaging, rhythm monitoring, catheter-based…
Rural patients often experience the consequences of Medicare payment policy long before a change appears in a clinic budget. When reimbursement for physician…
For an older adult with severe valve disease, blocked coronary arteries, or a dangerous aortic condition, timely care can determine whether a treatment remains…
The effect of cuts on access to pediatric cardiology services can extend far beyond a line on a physician’s payment statement. When reimbursement falls,…
The Campaign for Patient Access was created to explain how Medicare physician fee schedule cuts could affect cardiology practices and patient access to care.…
Medicare payment policy is becoming a decisive factor in whether patients can obtain timely cardiovascular care. An aging population, rising rates of heart…
Online gambling should remain an optional form of entertainment, never a source of pressure or financial strain. For Dutch-speaking players, knowing how to…
