HRS' congressional advocacy efforts focus on issues of critical importance to the heart rhythm physician, scientist, allied health professional, and patient. Issues include coverage and payment for heart rhythm procedures and services; access to safe medical devices and advanced technology; funding for arrhythmia-related research; and sudden cardiac arrest prevention.

Legislation Action Center

You can make the difference! The Society provides you with online tools to educate yourself on key issues and easily contact your legislators or submit comments to federal agencies.

Medicare Physician Payments

HRS is working on an ongoing basis for legislative action to prevent a 40 percent decrease in physician reimbursement over the next nine years, which would negatively impact patient access to heart rhythm care.

Health Care Reform

HRS works with specialty medicine to analyze the impact of proposed health care reform legislative actions and communicates any concerns or suggestions to Capitol Hill.

• Sunshine Law — In 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final regulations implementing the physician “sunshine” provisions included in the health care reform law.

Atrial Fibrillation Awareness and Prevention

The Society is educating Congress about atrial fibrillation (AFib) and advocating the need for increased public education and awareness and research funding into the causes and risk factors of AFib.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness and Prevention

HRS is educating Congress about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), which kills 250,000 Americans each year, and the need for increased public education and awareness and research funding into the causes and risk factors of SCA in both youth and adults.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

HRS recommends that Congress recognize the importance of post-market surveillance, analysis, and reporting of implantable cardioverter devices (ICDs) and pacemakers in ensuring patient safety. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently have the resources to make the necessary enhancements to the surveillance systems. The Society, along with other organizations, is advocating for a fully funded FDA.

National Institute of Health (NIH)

HRS believes that the basic research conducted by NIH is fundamental to the prevention and cure of disease, and advocates for a fully funded agency, ensuring the health of the public.

Additional Legislation Topics

Information on additional "miscellaneous" legislation affecting heart rhythm specialists.