Annual Reports

Including licensed clinical social workers as eligible practitioners, allowing them to bill for Medicare ACP counseling services, will address one of the major barriers to access to ACP services faced today. Social workers are an important part of the healthcare system and have the appropriate training and skills to facilitate high quality ACP conversations. Providing reimbursement for them to do so will expand the pool of resources available to provide ACP counseling services, thereby improving access.

Carole Montgomery MD, FHM, MHSA

Executive Medical Director, Respecting Choices

Too often, people with advanced cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, heart failure and stroke, and their families are not made aware of how palliative care provides holistic support to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Additionally, emergency room and hospital visits take a substantial emotional and financial toll that can be averted with patient-centered care programs administered at home and at treatment centers from hospice and advanced illness providers. I am so proud of the American Heart Association’s work in support of C-TAC to inform policy, engage the community and state, as well as provide support for family caregivers.

Nancy Brown

CEO, American Heart Association