During the 1980s, ACC members voiced a need to meet at the state level in an organized manner, and an increased desire to participate in regional healthcare policy.
Thomas "Tip" O'Neill—a longtime Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress—once declared, "All politics is local." Particularly so in healthcare: state governments, state insurance commissions, HMOs, hospital systems, state Departments of Health, Certificate of Need (CON) Review boards, and on and on.
National leadership recognized that state members could address local issues much faster, and could act as a liaison back to ACC National. In 1986, the Florida and Arizona Chapters were born.
There are now 45 Chapters serving 47 states plus Puerto Rico. The Governors in Chapter states are also Chapter Presidents, and are supported by a professional association manager (Chapter Executive).
The Chapters share the members and mission of the College, and support the goals of ACC. National provides support and guidance to all Chapters and Governors through Chapter Affairs staff at Heart House, which coordinates the Board of Governors (BOG) as a strategic forum for the grassroots at the national level.
As the only elected leaders of ACC, the Governors serve as the bi-directional conduit of communication with the Board of Trustees. Governors facilitate engagement between the local and national levels through programs in Quality, Advocacy and Education that assist cardiovascular specialists and their patients.
ACC Chapters provide five major opportunities:
1. Avenue for participation and communication for College members at the state level in College programs and activities. Local educational meetings are a cornerstone of Chapters.
2. The emergence of “grassroots” leaders thus ensuring the accomplishment of future Chapter and College objectives;
3. Representation by the College in state medical association policymaking bodies, councils or medical specialty societies;
4. A more effective means of monitoring and responding to state or regional legislation as well as focusing state attention on national College programs and policies; and
5. A means of locally implementing ACC quality initiatives seeking to improve cardiovascular patient care.