2012
Society Comments on Sunshine Proposed Rule — (02/17/2012) On February 17, the Heart Rhythm Society submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Sunshine proposed rule. The Society’s comments focus on the creation of a standardized appeal process, an opt-out option and the exemption from reporting payment through a third party when it is an accredited CE provider. Learn more »
2011
CMS Releases Sunshine Act Proposed Rule — (12/14/2011) On Wednesday, December 14, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed regulations for the “Physician Payment Sunshine Act.” Learn more »
CMS Administrator to Leave After a Year of Service — (3/9/2011) Donald Berwick, MD, is expected to step down as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this year, opening up the position to a new nominee in 2012. While Dr. Berwick was renominated to his post by U.S. President Barack Obama in January, unified opposition from Senate Republicans has led the administration to open up the position to a new candidate who might receive bipartisan support. Learn more »
2010
House of Representatives Passes Continuing Resolution to Sustain Funding for Health Care Agencies and Initiatives (12/15/2010) — The U.S. House of Representatives approved on December 8 a continuing resolution that consolidated the major spending bills that Congress had yet to pass into one single bill. The 1.09 trillion dollar bill sustained 2010 funding levels for federal agencies into FY2011, with most funds falling short of President Obama's budget request. Funding for the National Institute of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services were sustained, but not expanded, under the House's omnibus spending bill, while the Food and Drug Administration was one of the few agencies to get a funding increase in line with the agency's growth needs. Learn more »
Deficit Reduction Commission Proposes Changes to Medicare (11/17/2010) — President Obama created the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform earlier this year to propose recommendations that will improve America's fiscal viability. On November 10, the co-chairs of the Commission released a comprehensive plan to reduce the national deficit by cutting discretionary spending, reforming the tax system to generate tax revenues amounting to 21 percent of gross domestic product and making changes to Social Security and Medicare. Learn more »
The Society Attends AMA House of Delegates Meeting (11/10/2010) — The American Medical Association (AMA) held its 2010 House of Delegates Interim Meeting in San Diego, CA this week. Kathleen Blake, MD, FHRS, and Jodie Hurwitz, MD, FHRS, represented the Society in the House of Delegates. The Society's representatives also participated in the Cardiovascular Council, the Specialty Society Section and Dr. Blake was the chairperson of a Committee that addresses critical health policy issues. Topics discussed included policies on modifying the health care reform law, devising a permanent fix to Medicare payment restructuring under the Sustainable Growth Rate, and addressing the implications of new health care delivery models such as Accountable Care Organizations and private contracting. Learn more »
NCQA Releases ACO Standards for Public Comment (11/03/2010) —The recently passed health care reform law requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a shared saving program by 2012 using what are called Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), which accept responsibility for the cost and quality of care delivered to a specific population of patients cared for by the groups' clinicians. On October 19, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released their draft criteria on ACOs. Reviewers are asked to submit their comments in writing by November 19 via the public comment website. Please take this opportunity to help shape this important program! Learn more »
CMS Seeks Input on the Establishment of ACOs (10/13/10) — The recently-passed health care reform legislation mandated that a voluntary Medicare shared savings program be established by 2012, using what are called Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). In preparation for the creation of regulations for ACOs in 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been seeking input from a variety of stakeholders. On October 5, CMS and the Federal Trade Commission held the Workshop Regarding Accountable Care Organizations, and Implications Regarding Antitrust, Physician Self-Referral, Anti-Kickback and Civil Monetary Penalty Laws. Learn more »
PCORI Board of Governors Appointed (09/29/2010) — The new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, will identify priorities for comparative effectiveness research and provide funding for research that compares different types of therapies or treatments for the same condition. Nineteen members of the PCORI Board of Governors were appointed on September 23.Learn more »
U.S. President Appoints CMS Administrator (07/07/2010) — On July 7, 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Donald M. Berwick, MD, the founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, to be the head of the CMS. In response to Republican opposition in the Senate, President Obama used his presidential authority to appoint Dr. Berwick during the Independence Day recess. Dr. Berwick, a pediatrician, is known as a leading advocate for the concept that the reduction of errors and costs can lead to improved health care quality. Learn more »
Society Accepted into AMA House of Delegates (06/14/2010) — On Monday (June 14), the Society became a member of the American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates. Membership in the House will strengthen the Society's ability to represent electrophysiologists in our advocacy efforts. We thank all of the physician members who participated in the recruitment campaign last year to help us achieve this important accomplishment. Learn more »
2009
Critical Action Requested by Society Leadership: Help the Society Gain a Seat in the AMA House of Delegates (08/16/2010) — To strengthen the Society's ability to represent your interests during this time of dramatic health care reform, we need to gain a seat in the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. In a letter sent on Monday to physician members in the United States, senior leadership of the Society, including many past presidents, wrote "We know that many of you believe that AMA does not always represent your interests. You are not alone. But it is critical that the Society is in all policymaking arenas to influence the future of EP practice. The AMA House of Delegates opens important doors for us — especially to those entities who are in control of identifying Medicare procedures that will be reimbursed and performance measures that will be the basis for Medicare reimbursement in the future." Learn how you can help the Society gain a seat at the AMA House of Delegates »
