June 2006 | Vol. 24, No. 6

Government Relations Fund Contributions Critical to the Future of Vascular Ultrasound

As you know, SVU and the vascular ultrasound profession have a major fight on its hands. The devastating reimbursement cuts for vascular ultrasound studies included in the Deficit Reduction Act threaten the viability of our profession. Cuts of 30% -50% will take effect on January 1, 2007, unless we are successful in getting Congress or CMS to significantly reduce or eliminate these scheduled reimbursements cuts.

Without question, these steep cuts will be disastrous for the vascular ultrasound profession, threatening patient access to high quality care, especially in physician office-based or independent vascular labs. We are fighting for your future, and we need your help!

Money was budgeted in 2006 for SVU’s usual regulatory and legislative advocacy effort, but the future of our profession hangs in the balance. As a result of the Deficit Reduction Act, SVU has been forced to fund a much more extensive legislative and regulatory advocacy effort in 2006. We are urging Congress and CMS to modify the DRA provisions in order to preserve your vascular practice.

We are asking you to help fund this enhanced Government Relations effort in 2006 by making a voluntary contribution to the SVU Government Relations Fund. Every member’s contribution will be spent solely on fighting this major battle for the vascular ultrasound profession! Check out the SVU website page at http://www.svunet.org/cgi-bin/forms/forms.cgi?form=11 for information on making a contribution now to the Government Relations Fund. Thank you!