May 23, 2007 Dear Colleague, Our first New Mexico Chapter Meeting, held on May 3rd, was a great success! We had over 35 cardiologists and cardiac care team members in attendance sharing their questions and ideas! Thanks to all who attended and helped to make it the success it was. It's your participation and enthusiasm that will make our chapter the vital and influential organization that I know it can be! If you have not yet done so, please be sure to support the New Mexico Chapter with your dues. You can pay them online at www.acc.org by going to Membership and then "Pay Your Dues". (If you experience any difficulties, you can report them to resource@acc.org for assistance.) We have a great opportunity to improve cardiovascular care in New Mexico, and the support and efforts of all ACC Members in New Mexico working together can make the difference. Please be a part of this cause. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to your new Chapter Council: Monica Escarzaga (NM Governor-elect), Harvey White, Kathy Blake, Jon Abrams, Linda Martinez (CCA Representative), and Abinash Achrekr. Feel free to contact any of them with any issues or interests you wish to discuss. We are currently looking for another CV Attending from the University of New Mexico/VAH who is interested in becoming involved in the NM Chapter. If you are an FIT who is interested, or if you know of one who may be interested, please contact me at janeschauer1@msn.com. In addition, if you would like to become involved in the Chapter at any level, please contact me. Sincerely, Jane E. Schauer, M.D., F.A.C.C. Chapter President & ACC Governor New Mexico ACC Chapter CHAPTER NEWS Mark your calendars for the following important Chapter events! Thursday, June 21, 6:30 p.m. (Exact time and location will be confirmed closer to the date) Council Meeting for Strategic Planning Thursday, August 23, Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM Chapter Meeting to discuss Strategic Plan Held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Southwest Heart Symposium, Aug 24-25, 2007. For more information on this symposium, visit www.southwestheartfoundation.org, or contact Dr. Harvey White or Jill Griggs, Program Coordinator at 505.898.7474. ACC NATIONAL NEWS: Medicare Pay-for-Reporting Program Begins July 1 On July 1, 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement its voluntary pay-for-reporting program, as prescribed by Congress. Physicians who participate in the program, the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), are eligible for a 1.5 percent incentive payment. The ACC has developed a list of “frequently asked questions,” about the program to facilitate ACC member education and participation in the program. You can access it at http://www.acc.org/advocacy/pqri.htm. ACC Legislative Conference, Sept 16-18, 2007, Wash, DC: "The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem." - Milton Friedman Come to the ACC Legislative Conference and be part of the solution. Learn about what is happening in Congress that will affect the delivery of healthcare, reimbursement, and access to care. Learn how to talk to a legislator so they will listen, and then have ACC staff schedule you with all our NM colleagues for Hill visits with your Senators and Congresspersons. Visit http://www.acc.org/advocacy/leg_conf_07/about.htm for information. Registration opens Friday, May 25.

Jane E. Schauer, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C. is serving as the first Chapter President of the New Mexico Chapter. She is also serving as the Chair-elect of the Board of Governors for ACC National.