The 114th Congress presents a new set of challenges and opportunities for health care organizations. Now is a crucial time for the ACC and its members to educate policymakers, old and new, about the impact their decisions have on cardiology. At a time when the future of medicine is being debated, clinicians are able to offer unique, patient-provider expertise that can truly influence health policy.

The ACC is focused on the following advocacy priorities:

• Creating a value-driven health care system
  Strengthen the U.S. health care system by improving the care experience, enhancing the health of populations, and reducing health care costs. Advocate for cardiovascular care interests in the development of alternative payment models.
  • MACRA Information Hub (NEW!)
  • Measuring and Paying for Value in Cardiovascular Care [PDF]
  • Alternative Payment Models: Accountable Care Organizations and Bundled Payments

• Ensuring patient access to care and cardiovascular practice stability
  Ensure patient access to a comprehensive array of services at the hospital or in the office, adequate resources for practices to support patient care, resources to train the cardiovascular workforce of the future, and reduced administrative burdens.
  • Principles for Site Neutral Payment


• Promoting the use of clinical data to improve care
  Encourage use of clinical data registries for quality improvement and research, recognition of clinical practice guidelines and appropriate use criteria, and improvements in health information technology.


• Fostering research and innovation in cardiovascular care
  Advocate for the adoption and tracking of new drugs and medical devices, funding for clinical research, improvements to the clinical research infrastructure, and access to new technology.


• Support efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease
  Advance policies that address risk factors for and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, decrease disparities in care and outcomes, and improve access to care for special need populations.

Successful pursuit of ACC’s advocacy agenda demands that we continually strengthen and enhance cardiology’s voice in health policy at all levels. Get involved through the ACC Political Action Committee or the College’s grassroots efforts.