Introducing the Arrhythmia Intervention Society

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Arash Aryana, MD, PhD, FACC, FHRS 

Vice President, Arrhythmia Intervention Society 

Director, Cardiovascular Service Line; Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mercy General Hospital and Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute; Clinical Professor of Cardiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Sacramento, California

The Arrhythmia Intervention Society (AIS) is a newly formed organization with the primary mission to vigorously advocate for our beloved specialty and safeguard our future in the evolving landscape of healthcare. To clarify, AIS’ primary purpose is to engage and educate decision-makers and lawmakers to promote healthcare policies that benefit the cardiac electrophysiology community and improve patient care.

AIS is distinct from previous entities, such as the EP Advocacy Foundation. Founded as a nonprofit, tax-exempt medical society, AIS is specifically structured to overcome the financial and logistical hurdles in raising funds and capital. Unlike the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), which operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, AIS is incorporated as a 501(c)(6) entity, which allows for a substantial portion of its activities to be focused directly on lobbying and advocacy for cardiac electrophysiology. Therefore, AIS should in no way be viewed as a competitor to HRS. Rather, we see ourselves as a strong complementary partner. AIS is committed to being a strong ally to all cardiac electrophysiologists, and we look forward to opportunities to collaborate closely with HRS as well as other leading societies, including the American College of Cardiology and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, with whom we have already formed an alliance.

In line with our policy advocacy work, AIS has retained a prominent Washington, DC law firm with an established track record and focus on advocacy in the regulatory space and healthcare policy, specifically at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Additionally, we have also established a Political Action Committee (PAC) to strengthen our presence and influence. To ensure our voices are heard at the highest levels, we have started engaging with key lawmakers. We have been in touch with Senator Mark Kelly’s office in Arizona and are pleased to report that he has assured us he will forward our concerns to the appropriate governmental agencies. A recent meeting with a lobbyist in DC this past week informed us about how impactful AIS can be with issues as far-reaching as replacing the flawed sustained growth rate (SGR) with a more equitable alternative. Additionally, we are seeking active support from other US senators and representatives who are aligned with our mission.

AIS has a number of short-, mid-, and long-term healthcare policy objectives. These include the protection of cardiac electrophysiology physician reimbursements, the inclusion of cardiac electrophysiology procedures on the ambulatory surgery center covered procedure list (CPL), the inclusion of conduction system pacing procedures in reimbursement policies, and the reversal of the CMS SGR budget neutrality provision intended to control the growth in aggregate Medicare expenditures for physician services. AIS aims to combine efforts and collaborate with other similarly proactive medical societies toward this common goal. Though at first glance, these initiatives may seem ambitious, we are greatly optimistic based on our discussions with experienced lobbyists who have outlined a clear and viable path to achieving these goals.

As we embark on this journey, we are eager to connect with all individuals and organizations that share our vision. We believe together we can shape the future of cardiac electrophysiology. Please visit our website at https://www.aisnetwork.org/ to learn more and to become a member.