This map shows the geographical distribution of SCAI's membership across the United States and paints a compelling picture, illustrating the shortage of physicians practicing interventional cardiology, particularly in rural areas.

While acknowledging that not all interventional cardiologists are SCAI members, it is nevertheless concerning that it shows 46% of counties in the United States have no practicing interventional cardiologist, particularly given the administrative challenges associated with the Medicaid out-of-state provider enrollment process. 

Reasons for the shortage reportedly include burnout (e.g., on-call duties related to STEMI) and administrative hassles such as prior authorization.

Approximately two-thirds of practicing cardiologists are over 50 years old, suggesting that the shortage will grow over time as the baby boom generation moves into retirement.

Which is why we would ask you to contact your Member of Congress asking them to support HR 10073—the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 and urge you to support other SCAI campaigns on current issues such as prior authorization reform and peripheral arterial disease, and donate to the SCAI PAC.