ACC’s Goal:

2. ACC’s Goal: To proactively pursue a new standard for health care reform that is centered on patient value and access to quality care.

3. Key Quality First Principles • A focus on patient value – the highest quality of care at the most effective cost • Payment incentives for quality care • Coordination across sources and sites of care • Health care provider professionalism and partnership with patients • Increased transparency • Measurable health outcomes to provide accountability • Access to quality care

4. We have our work cut out for us!

5. Preliminary Congressional Omnibus Survey Results • Congress is less supportive of having medical societies be responsible for setting standards for quality measures and reporting  • 33% support using an existing federal agency • 23% support public and private payers • 23% Support a new public/private national entity • Only 10% support professional societies taking on this role.  • GOPs are more likely to favor payers and professional societies while Democrats favor federal intervention. • Opportunity to increase awareness of ACC on Capitol Hill among both parties

6. In other ways we are on the right track!

7. Preliminary Congressional Omnibus Survey Results •  Congress generally favors physician reimbursement for reporting quality measures with 21% favoring the 4-5% reimbursement range • Congressional leaders feel that better coordinated care delivery, payment reform, and focus on value are most important to health care reform. 

8. ACC Public Opinion Survey Results • The need for reform is critical. • 52% of Americans say the costs of health care are too high. • 77% unhappy with the way the health care system is being regulated. • Quality and cost are key. • When it comes to health care reform, people in general want a new standard that focuses on quality and cost effective care. Half say high costs is the greatest shortcomings of our health care system. • Doctors, advocacy groups must be involved in reform • 86% of Americans would trust doctors and medical or patient advocacy groups to set standards for measuring and reporting quality. This is compared to 8% for health insurers.

9. ACC Public Opinion Survey Results • It’s about the quality, not the volume. • Americans believe that quality of care is the fairest way to compensate doctors. • People in general want the ACC to advocate a new standard that focuses on quality and cost-efficientcare. • 64% percent agree that quality of care is most important; compared to 21% suggesting “performance-based” pay; 6% “patient outcome;” 6% “merit;” and 2% “volume” (the current system of payment). • ACC Quality First objectives are on target. • The public widely supports ACC’s overall mission. • 83% of Americans agree that the College's objectives are extremely or very important. “Helping to set a new standard for health care reform" is what the public feels the ACC’s top priority should be.

10. Quality First Efforts to Date …

11. Media Efforts • Radio media tour in late May (Reached 7M listeners) • Op-eds and LTEs being placed in local papers linking payment issues and health reform • Newsweek Advertorial • ACC Corner in Cardiovascular Business Magazine • Meeting w/New York Times reporter and editor • Press Conference to release public opinion poll data held Sept. 16

12. Advertising/Promotion • Activities: • Internal Ads in Cardiology, JACC and ACC News • Print and online ads in “Roll Call,” “The Hill,” “National Journal,” and Politico.com. Ads timed to coincide with 2008 Legislative Conference • Planning large-scale ad campaign for 2009

13. Speaking Engagements • Recent Activities: • National: • Kaiser “Viewpoints” interview as part of the Health Aware Campaign • AAMSE Annual Meeting; • Brazilian Society of Cardiologists Annual Congress; • National Congress on Health Reform • European Society of Cardiology • Assoc. of Black Cardiologists Meeting @ AHA • Collocated National Congress on the Un and Underinsured and National Congress on Health Reform

14. Speaking Engagements • Chapters: - The ACC’s health care reform message has been received at nearly every Chapter meeting this year. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to spread the word! * Don’t forget to sign up to be a Quality First Ambassador. Email qualityfirst@acc.org to sign up today!

15. Advocacy Efforts • 2008 Legislative Conference • Development of Payment Reform Pilot Legislation • Appropriateness Criteria Pilot included in new Medicare law • Proposal submitted to testify at ongoing health care reform hearings on Capitol Hill • Working with partner organizations on reform efforts • Hill briefing with key congressional staff on Sept. 23 • Continue efforts to work with lawmakers on health care reform and related issues (ie: transparency; HIT; payment reform)

16. Quality First: Looking Ahead • Year Two: BOT funding for 2009 will ensure physicians continue to be engaged and at the table when it comes to national health care reform. • Plans are underway to continue with member education, but also raise the visibility of the ACC externally with patients and health care leaders.

17. Key 2009 Milestones • Health System Reform Summit II (February 1-2, 2009; Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C.). Registration opens Oct. 22. • Consistent external advertising throughout the year geared towards policymakers and health care leaders • ACC Health Care Reform Plan addressing health care proposals of new presidential administration • Increased visibility at AHA, ACC.09 and other ACC or health care-related events • Health Care Reform presentations at a minimum of 15 Chapter meetings and at least 10 outside venues • Continue to use ACC Communication vehicles to reach members

18. Member Resources • IC3 Program: • Designed for physician practices so they can measure and report performance; implement guidelines; enhance patient medication adherence; support continuity-of-care; enhance doctor-patient communications • Recently approved by CMS as a registry alternative for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). • Enrollment kit online at www.ncdr.com. • Quality First Chapter Toolkit w/sample op-ed, LTE and more (Posted on Chapter Affairs Extranet) • Quality First Web Site: http://qualityfirst.acc.org • Lewin Report Blog: http://lewinreport.acc.org

19. Member Resources • ACC PAC • Combining voices to impact the political process • Combining resources to send a power message to Congress • Combining power to promote quality and protect patients • ACC PAC Goals: • Contribute to congressional campaigns that support the ACC’s legislative agenda • Gain BETTER access to key lawmakers, especially committee chairs and leadership • Build grassroots and fundraising potential to bring about election results favorable to the ACC’s advocacy goals

20. Member Resources • ACC PAC Candidate Contributions in 2007/2008 Election Cycle: • Contributions made to over 235 candidates, leadership PACs and party committees thus far • Total of $818,079 disbursed • 55% given to Democrats • 45% given to Republicans • Our influence is growing, but we must do more

21. Member Resources • WHY Contribute to the ACC PAC: • 100% of your personal contributions are used to support the election of pro-physician candidates to Congress • With only 7% of members currently contributing, other specialty groups with better-funded PACs have an advantages at the decision-making table. • Elections are November 4!! • WHO Can Contribute to the ACC PAC: • US Members only • Only personal funds, not corporate, can be used for political giving

22. Member Resources • Pennsylvania PAC Facts: • In 2007, 164 Pennsylvania members contributed $35,645 • In 2008 (to date), 94 members have contributed $27,446 • More Information: • Visit the ACC’s New PAC Web Site: http://www.accpacweb.org • Contact Nick Morse at nmorse@acc.org or 202-375-6373

23. American College of Cardiologyhttp://qualityfirst.acc.org