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ACC State Advocacy Workgroup:

A Resource for Rising Chapters

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• Not my job

• Someone else will take care of it

• I don’t have the time

• Nothing I do will make a difference

Perceptions of Advocacy

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• Advocacy is a partnership

• Policymakers need to hear from you.

• ACC staff and lobbyists can’t speak from experience; we aren’t directly

affected.

• Physician leadership is critical

The Reality Is…

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The “Coat of Credibility”

November 2009 Gallup poll asked participants to rank more than 40 professions by their perceived honesty.

“Medical doctors” and “police officers” were the only two professions to INCREASE over previous year’s poll number.

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State Advocacy Issues

• Medical Malpractice

• Imaging

• Certificate of Need requirements

• Hospital-Practice Integration issues

• Mid Level Providers scope

• Insurance/Payor rules and regulations

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State Advocacy White Hat Issues

• Smoking

• Trans Fats

• Childhood Obesity

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Not All Chapters Are Created Equal

All successful chapters have (at least) one thing

in common…

An advocacy infrastructure that is ready to take action.

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Keys to A Successful Advocacy Infrastructure

• Alliance with state medical association

• Alliance with AHA and other state groups

• Strong advocacy committee

• Identification of your grasstops and key contacts

• Established relationships with legislators

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State/National PartnershipACC Advocacy staff partners with chapters to coordinate

state government relations efforts. ACC Advocacy assists our chapters in a number of ways, including:

Grassroots mobilization Legislative tracking and analysis Lobbying and legislative strategy Planning and executing lobby days Preparing and presenting legislative testimony Building relationships with policymakers: Cardiologist for a Day; policy panels; promoting ACC quality programs; “Heart Healthy” days Strategic coalition development: medical societies; physician specialty groups; American Heart Association; industry; state government relations groups 

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State Advocacy Forecast

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Legislation Already in PlayNew York AB9367: “Requiring that all persons applying…to be a teacher

shall…have completed adequate training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of automated external defibrillators.”

Missouri HB1493: “No health carrier or health benefit plan…shall deny reimbursement for providingor interpreting diagnostic imaging services based solely on the specialty or professional board certification of a physician.”

Washington HB2430: Concerns recognizing cardiovascular technology as a health care profession.

Florida SB958: “Requiring the State Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council to develop the Agency for Health Care Administration’s strategic plan relating to electronic health records.”

New York AB8792: “To amend the social services law, in relation to authorizing a pilot program for enhanced prior approval of high cost diagnostic radiology services.”

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New Legislative Extranet Page

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Capwiz Advocacy Pages for EVERY State

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2009 Lobby Days

Dr. Gary Kauffman and Arizona Senate President Bob Burns

Dr. Richard Kovacs and Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels

Dr. William Graettinger and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons

Alabama ACC members with Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.

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Upcoming Advocacy Events• Utah Legislative Day: February 15-16

• Indiana Legislative Day: February 17-18

• Maryland Heart Healthy Day: February 23

• Idaho Legislative Day: February 25

• ACC Annual Scientific Session: March 14-16

• National Lieutenant Governors Association Meeting & Healthcare Forum: March 17-18

• Illinois Legislative Day: April 21

• Ohio Legislative Day: April 26-27

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National Lt. Governors Association

ACC has assisted implementing and monitoring the Lt. Governors Challenge, an online heart health program. In 2010, the program will be rolled out in ALL 50 STATES.

In addition, NLGA will hold a health policy summit at Heart House on March 18. More than 30 Lieutenant Governors are expected to

attend. The ACC will present sessions on tort reform and HIT.

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National Conference of State Legislatures

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Chapters

• Self-evaluation of your Advocacy Program

• Advocacy Check list

• State Advocacy Committee Chapter review

• Advocacy Committee mentoring

• Action steps to improve your program

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Chapter State Advocacy

• Strong Advocacy means a stronger and more effective Chapter

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We’re Here to Help