| | Ladies and gentlemen: This is my first effort at posting like this, so I hope to get it right. Now,more than ever, we need to get the message out that these proposed cuts will unfairly single out cardiology. This will DEFINITELY result in a decreased access to cardiology care in this state through many mechanisms: retirement, closure of practices, sales of practices to hospitals or multispecialty groups, and people leaving the state "for greener pastures". I urge you to not only contact CMS on your own as a physician or CCA, but also ask your patients to make their concerns known to their elected representatives. There are sample letters posted elsewhere on this site you can download. For example, what we are doing here in my office, is to print the letters, complete with addressed envelopes, to both of our senators and all three members of Congress. If our patients agree with the content and wish to sign it while here, we pick up the postage. If not, they can take it home, rewrite a letter, or do nothing. But, most importantly, I believe it is important that they realize they are the ones most hurt by these changes.
I ask that all of you share your ideas for getting our patients involved in this matter and encourage them to exercise their rights as citizens to get their voices and concerns heard.
Please post your ideas and suggestions so we may all share. |
