We can’t let health care costs go way of gasoline

One of the biggest issues facing our country today is health care. From the campaign trail, to the halls of Congress, to kitchen tables across our nation, it's an issue that is weighing heavily on the minds of millions, particularly the nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance. The medical community has an opportunity to address the need for health care reform by coordinating patient care, adding incentives for doctors and addressing medical liability concerns.

At the American College of Cardiology, we're committed to working with payers, Congress and state legislatures to develop expedited guidelines and encourage the use of registries and health information technology. These are critical elements of reform that can lower costs and provide quality health care for our patients. In addition, we've been calling for lawmakers to address Medicare's physician reimbursement policy and make it consistent with the costs of delivering the care our patients need.

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Senate will vote on a bill that stops the scheduled cut to Medicare's physician payments. With the help of Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., we will have an opportunity to put an 18-month freeze on any scheduled cuts to services physicians offer Medicare beneficiaries. In fact, with a small adjustment to the formula, Congress has created a way to actually increase the formula for beneficiaries by .5 percent in 2008 and 1.1 percent in 2009, which is a fiscally responsible way for Congress to allow physicians to continue delivering quality care to patients who desperately need it.

We've all heard the horror stories about doctors ordering tests that aren't needed, driving up the cost of health care. Sen. Ensign also has a chance to support policies that foster appropriate use of medical imaging technologies, so that the patients who really need these tests will have the access they need and the quality care they deserve.

Additionally, the ability to electronically submit prescriptions has the potential to help physicians. So called "e-prescribing" would enable physicians to improve patient safety by reducing medical errors, decreasing adverse drug effects, reducing hospitalizations and improving patient adherence, all while putting into place safeguards that protect patient privacy. Sen. Ensign can support legislation that establishes the finalization of standards defining how physicians can use this emerging technology and provide a smooth transition for physician compliance.

Currently, 43 percent of all Medicare dollars are spent combating our country's number one killer: heart disease. If Congress doesn't strengthen Medicare, then millions of Americans will not have access to the care they need. The situation will grow worse. The availability of care will diminish. It will become more expensive to those who can afford it. All of this will diminish the quality of care physicians can offer our patients.

Politicians on the campaign trail are making promises about changing the way Washington works come this November. Sen. Ensign has a chance to vote for a fundamental change to the way health care is practiced in this country. Congress needs to stop focusing on the process and start focusing on solutions.

The ACC's pre-emptive efforts at improving patient care should be models for reform, and voting to put an 18-month freeze on cuts to the formula that reimburses physicians is a great place to start. We know first-hand what it costs to provide our patients with the best care. It would be disastrous if we weren't able to afford to provide our patients the care they deserve.

But if lawmakers stand idly by while health care costs continue to increase, that's precisely what might happen. We can't let health care costs go the way of gasoline prices.

Our patients deserve a better approach. Quality health care needs to be more affordable and available, and Congress can take a step in the right direction.

Dr. William Graettinger is a practicing cardiologist in Nevada and a member of the board of governors at the American College of Cardiology.