May & June 2008 PATIENT POSTER Click here to download the FCACC patient poster. CONTACT CONGRESS Contact Sens. Nelson and Martinez and your representative to the U.S. House to educate them about the pending Medicare reimbursement cut and the effect it will have on you, your patients and your practice. Step 1 Send Postcards Detach, sign and send in the postcards in the summer issue of Florida Chapter News. You will need to fill out he address portion of the card to be sent to your representative (see list of members of the U.S. House of Representatives on page 11 of the issue). Step 2 Send a Personal Letter Write a personal letter about the impact of the reimbursement cuts—see page 12 for a sample letter and suggestions to make the greatest impact. Step 3 Call the ACC Hotline Call the ACC Grassroots Hotline at 800-210-7193 to tell the office switchboard that a fix for the reimbursement cut is needed. If you personally know congressional staff members or elected officials, use the direct numbers listed on page 11. Step 4 Personally Visit Your Representative The House will recess for Memorial Day from May 26 to May 30. Call your representative’s office (see page 11 for phone numbers) and schedule a personal visit while your elected official is in the district office to explain your concerns. Visits to the district office (as opposed to the Washington, D.C., office) usually are not as limited in time. Step 5 Write an Open Letter to Your Patients Mobilizing the 1,300 FACCs in the Sunshine state is impressive, but cardiology, as a profession, has the opportunity to make an even greater impact through patients. Take a moment to write a letter to patients urging them to contact their lawmakers about the reimbursement cut. In this letter, explain the rising cost of practice expenses and other factors that could hinder your ability to deliver care and recruit other cardiologists to the state. Place the letter in your waiting room or hand it personally to patients during the day.