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Home > Medical Professionals > Health Policy and Government Relations > National Aneurysm Alliance Update December 2004

SAAAVE Bill Gathers Momentum

December 2004

The SAAAVE bill, S2553 and HR4626, will provide a one-time ultrasound screening benefit for at-risk Medicare beneficiaries to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. SAAAVE stands for “Screen Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently,” and it was introduced at a packed press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building on June 23, 2004. At the event, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), pointed out the large number of American lives that could be saved by discovering aortic aneurysms prior to rupture. His comments were amplified by Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY). Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) and Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA) are the primary House sponsors for the bill. Rep. Green also spoke in strong favor of the bill at the press conference, while Rep. Greenwood sent his regrets as he was invited at the last minute to travel with the President.

In order to help pass SAAAVE, SVS founded the National Aneurysm Alliance (NAA), a coalition of medical specialty societies, foundations, and industrial partners. NAA society members include the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Echocardiography, the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the Society for Interventional Radiology and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. Foundation members include the American Vascular Association, the Vascular Disease Foundation, and Aneurysm Outreach, Inc. Industrial partners are Boston Scientific, Cook Group, W.L. Gore, Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson company, Medtronic, Medical Metrx Solutions, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Philips, Siemens and SonoSite, Inc. Administrative infrastructure is provided by Bill Sarraille and Pat Morrissey of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP in Washington, DC.

At the time of this writing, ten U.S. Senators and more than twenty Representatives are fully committed to helping pass SAAAVE. This is a solid start, but a huge amount of work remains to be done.

On December 3, the NAA members met in Washington to plan strategy for the 109th Congress, which will convene in January. It is a sobering thought to consider passing a Medicare benefit when the federal deficit is burgeoning, but in addition to preventing thousands of unnecessary deaths, SAAAVE has the opportunity to reduce emergency surgery and critical care costs.

In 2005, the SVS and NAA will be seeking grassroots physician help in terms of letters, phone calls, and visits to your Representative and Senators. Surgeons interested in participating are encouraged to contact Becky Maron, rmaron@vascularsociety.org . We believe that with your help the SAAAVE bill can pass this coming year. Updates on the progress of our bill will be posted on www.ScreenAAA.org