Zia Roshandel, M.D., F.A.C.C., a cardiologist with Blue Ridge Cardiovascular Associates in Culpeper, Va., wrote in to the ACC shortly hearing about the proposed cuts. He's been featured in Cardiology and taped a CVN video (below), a version of which will be offered to Hill staffers during the 2009 Legislative Conference office visits by ACC members today. The post from below Dr. Roshandel explains why he took action.

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Today, I’m going to Capitol Hill to fight for the continued existence of my cardiology practice in Culpeper, Va. My partner and I established the practice five years ago, but as the economy has struggled, the number of uninsured patients has grown and we struggle to cover our costs. Over the last year, we have taken many savings measures, including forgoing our salaries, reducing the number of employees, renegotiating our health insurance and reducing employee hours.

Given all that we’re done already to keep from closing our doors, when about two months ago I heard for the first time about the CMS cuts for 2010, I was stunned. My practice cannot withstand even a 10 percent cut, not to mention the 20 – 40 percent cuts proposed by this rule. I tried to contact my legislator in Virginia, but never got to speak to anyone. I sent them several e-mails to explain what effect these cuts would have on my small practice.  In addition, I took steps to educate myself on the cuts and talk to my colleagues. I urged them to take action, to educate each other and to educate CMS about the real life of a CV specialist in the community. 

Cardiologists need to band together to talk to Congress to inform them about the effects that the CMS cuts will have on cardiovascular practices. That’s why I’m here at ACC’s 2009 Legislative Conference. I hope to make lawmakers understand that if these cuts go through, practices like mine – that struggle as it is – will be forced to close and patients forced to look for care elsewhere. For patients in my small rural town, that means significantly longer drives to receive regular cardiac care and significant delays in treatment for every patient with chest pain, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia or any potential cardiac disease presentation as they are transferred to the closest hospital with a cardiac specialist, which is 45 to 50 minutes away.

Certainly, I’m not the only cardiologist who will be affected by these cuts. In fact, I would imagine that there are few cardiologists who won’t be affected by the cuts. Here is Washington this week, there are over 350 cardiovascular professionals fighting against the cuts, but while such a strong turnout is impressive, it will not be enough to prevent these cuts from taking effect. We’ll need every cardiologist and cardiovascular professional to step up, speak out and take action in determining your professional future before it is too late.

For more on my story, view the video below.