President's Message
Christopher J. Cooper, MD, FACC |
Dear Colleague,
This has been a very busy year for the Ohio Chapter of the ACC. We have been involved with several state legislative issues including cath lab regulations (pending), Medicaid payment reform for PCI, and revised legislation for AEDs (see below). While some progress has been made, much of this work is likely to spill over into next year.
As President of the Ohio Chapter, I am so very appreciative of the work of our chapter executive, Gwen Goldfarb, our Ohio Board, and our members who have driven many of these issues forward. The Ohio Chapter is a wonderful resource for our practicing cardiologists that works diligently to improve the practice of cardiovascular care in our state.
Next year will see substantive changes to the Chapter. In March 2015, Laxmi Mehta, MD, a non-invasive clinical cardiologist at The Ohio State University, will take over as Chapter President. She should bring fresh ideas and vigor to the chapter. We also look forward to our next Spring Summit and Wigger's Lecture on April 29, 2015 in Cleveland and a vigorous state meeting in Columbus on October 31, 2015. Please plan to attend!
Feel free to contact me at christopher.cooper@utoledo.edu.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Cooper MD, FACC
President, Ohio Chapter of the ACC
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| Ohio-ACC Annual Meeting a Success | 
The Ohio-ACC 24th Annual Meeting held on Saturday, October 11, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton was a success! Special thanks to meeting co-chairs, Sanjay Gandhi, MD and Laxmi Mehta, MD. See photos here.
Dr. Valentin Fuster delivered the 3rd Annual Dr. Richard P. Lewis Memorial Lecture entitled Cardiovascular Disease to Health: The Journey of the High-Risk Plaque. In addition, ACC past president William Zoghbi, MD, MACC presented. Robert Barcelona, PharmD, BCPS, Matthew Eisen, MD and Lindsey Federle, PharmD, BCPS shared a practical how-to on treating patients with new anticoagulants. Dr. Christopher Cooper covered the controversial topic of the JNC-8 Hypertension Guidelines. Of course, the research from our Ohio fellows in training was highlighted at the poster session and oral competition. The afternoon interactive cardiovascular review session provided 10 MOC points.
Please mark your calendar for our 25th Anniversary Meeting on Saturday, October 31, 2015!
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Ohio-ACC Works for Passage of HB 247
Bob Williams, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, AACC
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 I have had the opportunity to be involved with Ohio House Bill 247 that will revise Ohio law as it applies to the automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Since the introduction of this bill, I have had the opportunity to testify to congressional subcommittees on three different occasions. Most recently I was asked by Representative Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) and Senator Bill Coley (R-District 4) to testify on the bill to the Senate Civil Justice Committee.
The Ohio ACC Advocacy Team has been great to work with through this process. I was able to work with Dr. Christopher Cooper and Dr. Robert Hobbs on the testimony in order that our voice was unified and loud. Dr. Hobbs reached out to his team at the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio who also provided written support of the bill. Along with providing support of the bill, we were strongly opposing an amendment being proposed by the Prosecuting Attorney's Association that could potentially add liability to the AED owner.
HB 247 passed the Senate Civil Justice committee and then it passed the Senate 30-1 on December 11. The bill will now be sent back to the House the week of December 15 for concurrence.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Ohio ACC who have been generous with their time and talents in working with me to make AEDs more accessible to all Ohioans.
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| Make a Difference for Our Profession and Our Patients
Christopher J. Cooper, MD, FACC, Governor
Laxmi S. Mehta, MD, FACC, Governor-Elect
Daniel Cantillon, MD, FACC, Advocacy Co-Chair
David B. Stultz, MD, FACC, Advocacy Co-Chair
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As Governor, Governor-Elect and Advocacy Chairs of the Ohio chapter of the American College of Cardiology, we are writing to encourage you to join us in the fight to protect the future of cardiovascular care by joining the ACC Political Action Committee (ACCPAC).
The ACCPAC is the megaphone through which members like us are able to advocate on behalf of the communities we serve to ensure that regardless of the site or style of your practice, the ACC is a driving force in the ongoing healthcare debate.
Many of us would prefer to simply practice medicine and leave the politics out of it but the battle over issues such as medical training, research funding, and the practice and delivery of medicine is urgent and ongoing. As cardiovascular caregivers our first responsibility is to the health and welfare of our patients but we must recognize that this fight exists both in our offices and in the halls of Congress. Now more than ever the ACC must stand up and make our voices heard to protect our patients and the future of our profession.
We are asking you to join your voice with other cardiovascular professionals and make a commitment to get engaged TODAY! Only 4% of Ohio members contribute to the PAC, and we need your help to make our voices heard!
Joining ACCPAC is quick and easy. Click here or go to www.accpacweb.org to put your contribution to work immediately. Simply login with your CardioSource access credentials and click Join the PAC.
Congress holds the future of cardiology in its hands. It is up to us to shape it. Join us today and make YOUR voice heard!
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| Tell Congress This is Our Best Chance for SGR Repeal | 
With the 113th Congress drawing to a close, we are faced with our last chance in this Congress to pass a bill to finally repeal the flawed formula for Medicare payments - the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). The current situation presents an unprecedented opportunity for repeal and momentum toward much-needed Medicare stability and reform will be stalled if this opportunity is missed. You and your colleagues have been integral in pushing the process this far. Join us again in demanding that Congress take this critical opportunity.
Send a letter to your lawmakers urging them to tell their leadership to take the "SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014" (H.R. 4015/ S. 2000) to the floor for a vote before the end of the lame duck session. Learn more.
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Your Guide to 2015 Cardiovascular Coding
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You can breathe a sigh of relief! Changes to existing CPT codes for cardiology were kept to a minimum for 2015. Next year will see CPT codes for newer technology and procedures. Key categories with updated language and new codes in 2015 include subcutaneous implantable defibrillators, transcatheter mitral valve repair, implantable cardiac device evaluations, advanced care planning and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Get a detailed summary of next year's coding changes on CardioSource.org.
Your ACC has several resources to help you efficiently and accurately report cardiovascular services and procedures next year. The 2015 CPT Reference Guide for Cardiovascular Coding, co-published by the ACC and the AMA, is designed to help cardiovascular professionals select the appropriate codes for diagnostic and therapeutic radiological and cardiovascular procedures.
The CPT Guide also provides a complete overview of the heart structures, vessels and conduction system, including cardiovascular basics and common ailments. Stay ahead of coding changes. Order your copy today. You can also review a recent webinar on CPT changes for cardiology in 2015.
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| Quick Hits | |
Learn about the Ohio Office of Health Transformation episode-based Medicaid payments for PCI.
Find out more.
Take a look at the ACC FITsontheGo!
Interested in volunteering for the Ohio-ACC?
Download ACC Connect for your iPhone, iPad or Android devices. ACC Connect allows members to search the member directory, connect with peers and colleagues, update their profile and get the latest ACC news.
Are you prepared for ICD-10? and Get the AnticoagEvaluator for iPad.
Are you treating patients with congenital heart disease?
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| Save the Date | | |
OH-ACC Legislative Day
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Columbus, OH
ACC Legislative Conference
October 18-20, 2015
Washington, DC
OH-ACC 25th Annual Meeting &
Richard Lewis Memorial Lecture
Saturday, October 31, 2015
The Columbus Hilton at Easton
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Connect with
Ohio-ACC |
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