Cardiology advocates continue to fight cuts legislatively
Legislation introduced by Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, to hold cardiology practice expense values at the 2009 rates, while allowing other specialty practices to operate at 2010 physician practice information survey values, has garnered 82 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The legislation (HR 4371), which was initially introduced in the House on Dec. 16, 2009, had 55 bipartisan co-sponsors when it was introduced. The bill focuses specifically on the imaging cuts, including myocardial perfusion imaging, cardiac CT and cardiac MR, along with their CPT codes.
The legislation and the list of co-sponsors are available online. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) said it will continue seeking new co-sponsors.
In the Senate, the ACC said it continues to seek help in addressing the cuts. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Jan. 6, asking that Congress consider the impact of the fee schedule cuts on private practice cardiology and work to address the cuts.
The legislation (HR 4371), which was initially introduced in the House on Dec. 16, 2009, had 55 bipartisan co-sponsors when it was introduced. The bill focuses specifically on the imaging cuts, including myocardial perfusion imaging, cardiac CT and cardiac MR, along with their CPT codes.
The legislation and the list of co-sponsors are available online. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) said it will continue seeking new co-sponsors.
In the Senate, the ACC said it continues to seek help in addressing the cuts. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Jan. 6, asking that Congress consider the impact of the fee schedule cuts on private practice cardiology and work to address the cuts.