AACVPR Invests in New Service to Provide Members with

Up-to-the-Minute Action Alerts

 

AACVPR has a new look to the Legislative Issues web page. A tool called Capwiz•XC will now provide AACVPR members with the most up-to-the minute legislative data and a simple online tool that allows you to have an active role in the political process. It couldn’t be easier for you to send a personalized message. By entering your zip code, the direct contact information for your legislators appears on your screen. Simply fill out your contact information and your personalized message will be sent to your representatives/senators and you can be sure that the message was delivered. Some of the other features of this new tool are:

Where is S.329 and HR 552?

As of Friday, December 14, 2007, The Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007 was included in a larger Medicare bill. The disappointing news is that this bill, which includes some aspect of a physician fee fix among other Medicare issues, has stalled between the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, and Congress and the White House.

Over the past three weeks, Washington, D.C. representatives of the professional and patient organizations, AACVPR, ATS, ACCP, NAMDRC, AARC, ACCP, NHOPA, and ALA, have worked together to intensify the push for S.329 to be included in an evolving Medicare package as legislators attempt to wrap up this congressional year. Last week, AACVPR members living in districts of key congressional committee members were asked to immediately call their representative with the request to let Ways & Means Committee leaders, Charles Rangel and Pete Stark, know that this provision is important to them and their constituents. Thanks to all the AACVPR members who so willingly and promptly responded to this request.

You might ask, “What else can AACVPR, my program, and my patients do to help?” At this point, negotiations are continuing behind closed doors. We have made our strongest case for inclusion and can do no more in the short term except wait and hope. While it is encouraging that S.329/HR 552 is currently part of a package, whether something happens this week or is deferred until Congress resumes after the holiday break is difficult to predict. Any new information will be posted to the new Legislative issues page of the AACVPR Web site.

If necessary, this will continue to be a primary focus of AACVPR in 2008. The AACVPR Board of Directors extends a sincere thank-you to so many who have worked tirelessly and now deserve to enjoy the success of your dedicated efforts on behalf of your patients.