The Heart Facts

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The Heart Facts

• Nearly one in three adults have heart disease.
• Heart disease is 1 killer in America. Nearly
  2,400 Americans die each dayan average of one
  death every 37 seconds.
• If all forms of major heart disease were
  eliminated, life expectancy would increase by
  almost seven years. (Source National Center for
  Health Statistics)

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The Good News

• Advances in cardiology over the past decade have
  reduced heart-related deaths and illness by
  approximately 25.
• From 19802002, heart disease-related deaths
  decreased by approximately 50 in men and women
  over 65.

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Unfortunately, the current environment could set
back the significant gains made by the
cardiovascular community.
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Cardiologist Shortage

• The number of cardiologists is expected to
  decrease significantly over the next 15 years.
• The number of Americans with heart disease is
  expected to increase 60 over that same period.
• It takes up to 14 years of training to become a
  board-certified cardiologist.
• Of general cardiologists, 43 are currently over
  the age of 55 and expected to retire in the next
  20 years.

If Michelangelo were sculpting today
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Practice Costs and Inflation Continue to Grow
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The Straw That Breaks the Camels Back?

• Proposed Medicare cuts would restrict patient
  access to timely, life-saving care.
• No practice would be untouched by the drastic
  cuts. According to an ACC member poll, nearly 95
  of cardiovascular practices would be forced to
  lay off staff and/or cut back on patient
  services.

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Message to Congress

• Stop proposed Medicare cuts!
• Preserve my ability to see my cardiologist
• Protect my access to medical care.
• Prevent my doctor from having to reduce staff,
  services or close its doors.

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Medicare Cuts Underscore the Need for Real
Health Care Reform
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Health Reform Should

• Ensure access to affordable health care for all
  Americans
• Include delivery and payment system reforms that
  reward the right care at the right time
• Encourage partnership with patients
• Improve care coordination (ie. from hospital to
  home, or practice to practice)
• Reduce legal and defensive medicine costs for
  physicians and
• Focus on patient value transparent, high
  quality, cost-effective and continuous care.

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• We in America do not have government by the
  majority. We have government by the majority who
  participate.
• Thomas Jefferson, 1787

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Patient Resources

• ACC Health Reform Information qualityfirst.acc.or
  g
• CardioSmart Patient Portal
• www.cardiosmart.org.
• Patient Action Site www.guardingheartsalliance.or
  g/