ASNC on Capitol Hill: ‘We Are Here in the Name of Patient Access to Care,’ Says ASNC President

ASNC President Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, FASNC, delivered the opening presentation, An Introduction to ASNC and the Power of Nuclear Cardiology, at last week’s congressional briefing.

On May 5, ASNC hosted its annual congressional briefing, where Society leaders outlined “the power of nuclear cardiology” for diagnosing cardiovascular conditions ranging from ischemic heart disease and microvascular dysfunction through cardiac amyloidosis and infection.

“We are here in the name of patient access to care,” announced ASNC President Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, FASNC, as he opened the briefing. He explained that ASNC members were on Capitol Hill to advocate for policy solutions that will remove roadblocks to care and ensure patients receive the care they need in a timely manner.

ASNC Board of Directors Member Ibrahim M. Saheed, MD, FASNC, described the U.S. healthcare as “a system under pressure,” detailing the impact of budget-neutrality requirements, which prevent inflationary adjustments to physician pay even as the costs of running a practice continue to climb. Ira N. Goldman, of PharmaLogic, also presented, explaining supply disruptions and other challenges that have resulted from reliance on foreign reactors for radiopharmaceuticals.

Faculty at ASNC’s congressional briefing, From Symptoms to Solutions: Removing Obstacles to Cardiac Nuclear Imaging. From left: Bruno B. Lima, MD, PhD, FASNC, Friederike Keating, MD, FASNC, Ira N. Goldman, Ibrahim M. Saeed, MD, FASNC, and Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, FASNC

ASNC’s Health Policy Committee Chair Friederike Keating, MD, FASNC, walked attendees through policy considerations that would uphold patients’ access to timely cardiac nuclear imaging, detailing how Congress can help with legislation that may be acted on this year. She urged congressional staff to turn to ASNC for help deciphering the impact of legislative proposals on patients. The briefing concluded with a Q&A period moderated by Bruno B. Lima, MD, PhD, FASNC.

More Work to Do: Congress Must Hear from You!

ASNC’s 19 advocates met with 66 congressional offices, consistently reporting that legislative staff were welcoming, eager to learn about nuclear cardiology, and genuinely interested in doing their best for patients.

Now is an ideal time for you to contact Congress with your concerns about physician payment stability and adequacy, the “efficiency adjustment,” prior authorization, and the appropriate use criteria mandate.

The easiest way to send a message to your elected representatives is through ASNC’s Action Center. Use the template letters to send a personalized message today.

Contact Congress