#Washington #US #Cardiovascular Health #CMS #LDL-C

Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health Surpasses 500 Signatures

The Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health (PACH) has recently marked a notable milestone by gathering over 500 signatories from nearly every state. Their collective voice is a resounding call to action for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to adopt new measures that emphasize the significance of managing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that healthcare quality measures reflect actual clinical evidence and promote effective patient treatment strategies.

In a statement, Ryan Gough, Executive Director of PACH, emphasized the pressing need for updated measures, stating, "Heart disease remains the number one killer in America, and high LDL-C is one of the most well-established, modifiable risk factors we have." The petition serves as a key component of the Measure What Matters campaign, which was launched in collaboration with the Family Heart Foundation. This alliance aims to urge policymakers, patients, and medical professionals to advocate for quality measures that accurately reflect clinical needs and effectively track LDL-C treatment goals.

Currently, the CMS's existing quality measures focus primarily on the prescription of statins, which creates a misleading assumption that patients are automatically managing their cholesterol levels adequately. Gough points out that it is critical to adopt methods that incentivize the measurement and management of LDL-C, thereby aligning with clinical practice and evidence. He stated, "You can't manage what you don't measure."

The significance of these new measures is underscored by the recent recommendations outlined in the ACC/AHA Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guidelines, which propose a shift towards risk-based LDL-C treatment goals. These guidelines not only address the overarching goal of lowering cholesterol levels but also introduce a Class 1 recommendation for universal Lp(a) screening for adults, which could be pivotal in identifying cardiovascular risk at earlier stages.

"The new 2026 guidelines represent a major step forward for the cardiovascular community. Now, the hard work begins," said Hilly Paige, Chief Innovation Officer at the Family Heart Foundation. She stressed the importance of the NCQA and CMS adopting these measures in alignment with the recently updated guideline recommendations.

The Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health submitted their advocacy letter to CMS on September 15th, identifying a clear direction in enhancing the quality of cardiovascular health care. By integrating evidence-based measures, PACH believes that they can significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce health care costs, and ultimately save lives.

In summary, the PACH’s petition not only reflects a growing movement among patients and healthcare providers but also drives home a vital message: adopting appropriate quality measures is essential to effectively manage cardiovascular health. Health systems and organizations are urged to prioritize evidence-based practices that will create a framework for better patient care in America. As this coalition continues to expand, their unified efforts highlight an increasing commitment to combatting heart disease, which remains a critical public health issue in the nation today.