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The “Heart” Facts• Nearly one in three adults have heart
disease.• Heart disease is #1 killer in America.
Nearly 2,400 Americans die each day—an average of one death every 37 seconds.
• If all forms of major heart disease were eliminated, life expectancy would increase by almost seven years. (Source: National Center for Health Statistics)
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The Good News
• Advances in cardiology over the past decade have reduced heart-related deaths and illness by approximately 25%.
• From 1980–2002, heart disease-related deaths decreased by approximately 50% in men and women over 65.
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Unfortunately, the current environment could set back the significant gains made
by the cardiovascular community.
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Cardiologist Shortage• The number of cardiologists is
expected to decrease significantly over the next 15 years.
• The number of Americans with heart disease is expected to increase 60% over that same period.
• It takes up to 14 years of training to become a board-certified cardiologist.
• Of general cardiologists, 43% are currently over the age of 55 and expected to retire in the next 20 years.
If Michelangelo were sculpting today…
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Practice Costs and Inflation Continue to Grow
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The Straw That Breaks the Camel’s Back?
• Proposed Medicare cuts would restrict patient access to timely, life-saving care.
• No practice would be untouched by the drastic cuts. According to an ACC member poll, nearly 95% of cardiovascular practices would be forced to lay off staff and/or cut back on patient services.
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Message to Congress
• Stop proposed Medicare cuts!
• Preserve my ability to see my cardiologist
• Protect my access to medical care.
• Prevent my doctor from having to reduce staff, services or close its doors.
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Medicare Cuts Underscore the Need for Real Health Care Reform
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Health Reform Should:• Ensure access to affordable health care for all
Americans;• Include delivery and payment system reforms that
reward the right care at the right time;• Encourage partnership with patients; • Improve care coordination (ie. from hospital to
home, or practice to practice)• Reduce legal and defensive medicine costs for
physicians; and• Focus on patient value – transparent, high quality,
cost-effective and continuous care.
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“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”
Thomas Jefferson, 1787
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Patient Resources
• ACC Health Reform Information: qualityfirst.acc.org
• CardioSmart Patient Portal:www.cardiosmart.org.
• Patient Action Site: www.guardingheartsalliance.org/