Members should be aware that both the U.S. House and Senate intend to pass their respective health system reform legislation by August. Now is the time to influence payment reform. The ACC believes that Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) must be repealed once and for all for the health system reform to succeed. Congress must hear from you how the current payment system has affected your ability to run a practice and provide your patients with access to the care they need. Use the ACC's toll-free grassroots hotline (800-210-7193) or grassroots email system to contact your members of Congress and tell them: * Stop the 21.5% Medicare physician cut that will take place on January 1, 2010. * Permanently repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and work with the physician community to develop a system. * Test alternative payment models that improve quality and outcomes and reduce overall Medicare costs. * Oppose the use of imaging prior authorization in Medicare or imaging payment cuts. * Reform medical the medical liability system. If you provide imaging services or are part of a specialty hospital be sure to tell Congress not to place limitations on physician ownership in facilities, equipment or services that benefit patients through the delivery of appropriate, high quality care. Make your voice heard. Use your experience with the system to educate congress on how all of these items impact the quality of care for patients. Become involved in the ACC’s Policital Action Committee (PAC) and the CardioAdvocacy Network.