Let our state legislators know how you feel about pending legislation that may affect the practice of cardiology and the state of health care in South Carolina. Use the convenient links at the bottom of this page. Check this site regularly for state and national legislative concerns that may require action by SC ACC members. Current State Issues SC Cigarette Tax ALERT! 5/11/10 Call or email your legislator TODAY today and urge them to override the Governor's veto! Click here to find your legislator.Tell them: "Please vote to override the Governor's veto of H.3584 that will increase by 50-cents the current cigarette tax." Action is expected in both the House and Senate on Friday. Contact legislators TODAY! Current National Issues FINAL CMS RULE Final Rule Includes Phased In Cuts for Cardiology The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday, October 30, 2009, released its 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which includes policy proposals that will significantly reduce payments for cardiovascular-related services. While CMS has attempted to mitigate the impacts of the cuts by spreading them out over a four-year period, the impact of the cuts is still enormous both for 2010 and beyond. Cuts of this magnitude—whether enacted this year or spread over four—cannot be absorbed and we will continue to fight the implementation of this data until a rigorous review is conducted. The ACC understands the very real impacts these cuts will have on your practices, your staff and your patients. The College is exploring all options and staff and leaders are working together to help you understand all of your options. Click here for a high-level summary of the policy proposals included in the rule. More information over the coming weeks will be provided in Cardiology magazine, ACC News and The ACC Advocate. Please also plan to join ACC CEO Jack Lewin and President Alfred Bove, M.D., F.A.C.C., for an all-member call on Nov. 12 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (EST) to discuss the 2010 rule. To RSVP for the call, click here. Please email grassroots@acc.org to communicate directly with ACC National with any thoughts or comments on these cuts. Printer friendly resources: CMS Cuts Talking Points (11/09) Final CMS Rule Analysis (11/09) Helpful Links SC House of Representatives SC Senate Find Your Legislator: Click here. ACC Advocacy website