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In This Issue:  Message from the President - New Strategy Chapter Annual Conference - Save the Date Call for Cases and Abstracts Travel Grants to ACC Legislative Conference ACC Advocate = Issue Update 5-4-3-2-1-Go!
Michigan’s Women in Cardiology Take Action
Chapter Adopts New Strategy “One of my early observations as a governor is that communication with legislators is a process not an event. Repeated contacts, not one sole visit seem to garner the most impact. It seems to be that it is not a single meeting but the sixth or seventh or tenth meeting when the light-bulb goes on and they finally realize who you are and who you represent. This is an alien concept to most of our colleagues who are geared to an almost immediate solution to whatever complex cardiac problem that is presented to us. We need to plant the seeds to Congress that we are there to help them, not be disappointed in a perceived lack of activity, and try and develop a personal relationship with the medical experts in their offices.” Thomas A. Haffey, DO, FACC In this statement recently sent to the Board of Governors listserv, my colleague from Colorado succinctly (albeit unknowingly) presents the rationale behind the Michigan Chapter’s new grassroots strategy. Recognizing that our members are weary of last minute alerts that plead for repeated calls and emails to legislators, we are taking a new tack that we hope will result in valuable, ongoing conversations with key legislators. We have identified 13 state and 7 federal legislators as the key legislators. We now launch a two pronged plan. First, we’ll coordinate breakfast/coffee break meetings where each of the state legislators can meet with one or two ACC members from his/her district. These meetings will be at a mutually convenient restaurant or office. State legislators make decisions on prevention issues, funding of prevention programs, Medicaid, business and physician taxes. They value connections with experts on whom they can call when issues arise. Second, we’ll coordinate meetings between the Congresspeople and ACC members from their districts. These meetings could be at the legislator’s office or EVEN BETTER at a cardiology practice or hospital. Federal legislators make decisions that affect the reimbursement of physicians so it is crucial that they see, first hand, what it takes to make a practice work and provide quality care for patients. Any member of the cardiac care team is encouraged to participate in these meetings. To increase the comfort level of all involved, we’ll do all possible to have our legislative counsel attend the meetings. It has been a struggle for me to be comfortable with this advocacy work, but I have learned how important it is to make personal, meaningful contact with legislators. If you are willing to meet with a state or federal legislator (or both!) please contact Alice Betz at 517-663-6622/alice@accmi.org. Chapter Offers Travel Grants to ACC Legislative Conference The Chapter is offering three $1000 travel grants for the ACC Legislative Conference – September 12-14, 2010 in Washington DC. Grants will be awarded to one Cardiac Care Associate, one Fellow-in-Training, and one Affiliate (those who have completed their fellowship and are eligible for boards) to help cover travel, lodging and registration for the conference. The Legislative Conference is an eye-opening experience that provides a thorough issue briefing, a primer on effective communications with policymakers, and the opportunity to visit with representatives in Congress. ACC Board of Governors Chair Richard Kovacs, MD, says, “…just as tar balls on the beach are affecting the lives of millions of “small people,” the Senate/House shenanigans jeopardize the access to care for millions of “small voters” and threaten the practice of our specialty. He encourages all ACC members to attend the Legislative Conference. To apply for one of the Chapter's travel grants click here. The deadline for applications is July 12. For more information about the Legislative Conference click here. Note: ACC also offers travel awards to FITs and CCAs. For more information on those opportunities contact: FITs: Kelly Ventura -- kventura@acc.org / 800-253-4636, ext. 6613 CCAs: Kelli Bohannon -- kbohanno@acc.org / 800-253-4626, ext. 6635 5-4-3-2-1-Go! The Healthy Kids Healthy Michigan (HKHM) Steering Committee, of which the Chapter is a member, voted to embrace and support a new messaging campaign to encourage a healthy lifestyle for Michigan families: 5-4-3-2-1-Go! The slogan is designed as a healthy lifestyle reminder and is based on medical and scientific evidence regarding diet and physical activity for children: 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day* 4 servings of water per day 3 servings of low-fat dairy per day 2 or less hours of screen time per day 1 or more hours of physical activity per day HKHM is a coalition that advocates for healthy weight in children. Committees are working on such issues as complete streets/safe routes to school, access to fresh food at food retailers in underserved areas, physical and health education requirements, Medicaid coverage of childhood obesity, body mass index (BMI) surveillance, and healthy guidelines for childcare providers. If you are interested in working on any of these issues, contact Alice Betz at 517-663-6622/alice@accmi.org. If your hospital, practice or organization is interested in joining the coalition, go to www.americanheart.org. *This recommendation applies to adults as well. See Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer Disease in this week's JAMA. |
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Michigan Chapter's 22nd Annual Conference  October 8-10, 2010 Grand Traverse Resort Featuring Vice President, ACC Minneapolis Heart Institute and focus symposia: Complete details coming soon to www.accmi.org |