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2010 Tar Wars Winner Trumps Brother's Achievement
Jared Gorthy wasn't the first member of his family to be selected a state winner in the Colorado AFP's annual Tar Wars poster contest. That honor went to his brother Derek, who won the state contest and finished seventh at the Tar Wars National Conference in 2007. Jared, however, fared even better than his older brother and was named the winner of the AAFP initiative's 2010 national poster contest July 26 during the national conference in Washington, D.C.
2010 Tar Wars Winner Trumps Brother's Achievement
Jared Gorthy wasn't the first member of his family to be selected a state winner in the Colorado AFP's annual Tar Wars poster contest. That honor went to his brother Derek, who won the state contest and finished seventh at the Tar Wars National Conference in 2007. Jared, however, fared even better than his older brother and was named the winner of the AAFP initiative's 2010 national poster contest July 26 during the national conference in Washington, D.C.
Financial, Technical Support Are Keys to Health IT Adoption by Small Physician Practices
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or ARRA, will spur the adoption and use of health information technology, or health IT, among small physician practices by giving them much-needed financial and technical support to implement health IT systems. Without this kind of assistance, many small physician practices will find it difficult, if not impossible, to adopt health IT and electronic health records, or EHRs. That was one of the main messages delivered by AAFP President-elect Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, Texas, and other witnesses who testified July 27 before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health.
Financial, Technical Support Are Keys to Health IT Adoption by Small Physician Practices
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or ARRA, will spur the adoption and use of health information technology, or health IT, among small physician practices by giving them much-needed financial and technical support to implement health IT systems. Without this kind of assistance, many small physician practices will find it difficult, if not impossible, to adopt health IT and electronic health records, or EHRs. That was one of the main messages delivered by AAFP President-elect Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, Texas, and other witnesses who testified July 27 before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health.
News Briefs: Week of July 26-30
This roundup includes the following news briefs: Study Examines Students' Intentions to Serve the Underserved; PCPCC Releases Guides on Payment Reform, Medication Management; AHRQ Launches Website on Medical Home; AHRQ Releases 2009 'State Snapshot' Report with New Features; HHS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Rulemaking on Financial Conflicts; State Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Physicians, Health Care Professionals; NIH Appoints Guttmacher Director of NICHD; Varmus Sworn in as New NCI Director; and HHS Seeks Suggestions for National CER Database.
News Briefs: Week of July 26-30
This roundup includes the following news briefs: Study Examines Students' Intentions to Serve the Underserved; PCPCC Releases Guides on Payment Reform, Medication Management; AHRQ Launches Website on Medical Home; AHRQ Releases 2009 'State Snapshot' Report with New Features; HHS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Rulemaking on Financial Conflicts; State Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Physicians, Health Care Professionals; NIH Appoints Guttmacher Director of NICHD; Varmus Sworn in as New NCI Director; and HHS Seeks Suggestions for National CER Database.
Health Care Reform Law Will Increase Demand for Preventive Services, Say Experts
The recently enacted health care reform legislation, which calls for eliminating financial barriers for many preventive services, likely will create a greater demand for these services and give physicians a better opportunity to provide preventive care, according to analysts interviewed by AAFP News Now. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will require new health plans (i.e., plans that are established on or after Sept. 23, 2010) to cover and eliminate copays, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for preventive services rated "A" or "B" by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Health Care Reform Law Will Increase Demand for Preventive Services, Say Experts
The recently enacted health care reform legislation, which calls for eliminating financial barriers for many preventive services, likely will create a greater demand for these services and give physicians a better opportunity to provide preventive care, according to analysts interviewed by AAFP News Now. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will require new health plans (i.e., plans that are established on or after Sept. 23, 2010) to cover and eliminate copays, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for preventive services rated "A" or "B" by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Provisions in Health Care Reform Law Lay Out Role of Primary Care, Family Physicians
Recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was only a starting point in reforming the health care system in the United States. As guidelines and regulations are developed, many health policy experts note that actual implementation of the law will not work without the ability to bend the health care cost curve. And that cannot be accomplished without a greater emphasis on prevention and primary care, making these two components essential to the ultimate success of health care reform.
Provisions in Health Care Reform Law Lay Out Role of Primary Care, Family Physicians
Recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was only a starting point in reforming the health care system in the United States. As guidelines and regulations are developed, many health policy experts note that actual implementation of the law will not work without the ability to bend the health care cost curve. And that cannot be accomplished without a greater emphasis on prevention and primary care, making these two components essential to the ultimate success of health care reform.
FDA Warns Docs, Consumers About Unapproved IUDs
The FDA is warning physicians and consumers about risks associated with the use of unapproved intrauterine devices, or IUDs, and intrauterine systems, or IUSs. The agency said in a July 22 letter to physicians that the items in question include unapproved versions of various FDA-approved products.
FDA Warns Docs, Consumers About Unapproved IUDs
The FDA is warning physicians and consumers about risks associated with the use of unapproved intrauterine devices, or IUDs, and intrauterine systems, or IUSs. The agency said in a July 22 letter to physicians that the items in question include unapproved versions of various FDA-approved products.
Expanded Tax Relief on State Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Programs Benefits Physicians, Medically Underserved Individuals
Physicians who have received student loan forgiveness as an incentive to practice in medically underserved areas of their states may be eligible for some relief from federal income taxes on those loan amounts. Under Section 10908 of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, an existing tax exclusion has been expanded to include health professionals in 16 states who are enrolled in these types of state loan repayment or loan forgiveness programs.
Expanded Tax Relief on State Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Programs Benefits Physicians, Medically Underserved Individuals
Physicians who have received student loan forgiveness as an incentive to practice in medically underserved areas of their states may be eligible for some relief from federal income taxes on those loan amounts. Under Section 10908 of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, an existing tax exclusion has been expanded to include health professionals in 16 states who are enrolled in these types of state loan repayment or loan forgiveness programs.
Operating Costs, Medicare Pay, EHRs Top 2010 'Challenges' List
Keeping a U.S. medical practice afloat in 2010 is still a struggle, according to new survey data collected by the Medical Group Management Association, or MGMA. However, the specific day-to-day challenges of running a practice have shifted somewhat when compared with similar MGMA surveys conduced in 2008 and 2009. MGMA collected responses from 1,798 medical group practices across the country for this year's survey, dubbed "Medical Practice Today 2010: What Members Have to Say."
Operating Costs, Medicare Pay, EHRs Top 2010 'Challenges' List
Keeping a U.S. medical practice afloat in 2010 is still a struggle, according to new survey data collected by the Medical Group Management Association, or MGMA. However, the specific day-to-day challenges of running a practice have shifted somewhat when compared with similar MGMA surveys conduced in 2008 and 2009. MGMA collected responses from 1,798 medical group practices across the country for this year's survey, dubbed "Medical Practice Today 2010: What Members Have to Say."
Robert Graham Center to Study 'Social Mission' of Teaching Hospitals, Health Centers
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation has awarded a two-year, $409,410 grant to the AAFP's Robert Graham Center and George Washington University, or GWU, both in Washington, to study how well teaching hospitals and teaching health centers are meeting the health care needs of the public. According to Robert Phillips, M.D., M.S.P.H., director of the Robert Graham Center, the upcoming study will examine two aspects of the medical workforce.
Robert Graham Center to Study 'Social Mission' of Teaching Hospitals, Health Centers
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation has awarded a two-year, $409,410 grant to the AAFP's Robert Graham Center and George Washington University, or GWU, both in Washington, to study how well teaching hospitals and teaching health centers are meeting the health care needs of the public. According to Robert Phillips, M.D., M.S.P.H., director of the Robert Graham Center, the upcoming study will examine two aspects of the medical workforce.
Pair of Studies Link Vitamin D, Cognitive Ability in Seniors
Two recent studies indicate that vitamin D intake can have a significant effect on the cognitive abilities of the elderly. Unfortunately, more than half of older Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to David Llewellyn, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Exeter Peninsula Medical School, United Kingdom. Llewellyn presented data on this topic from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES III, during the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010, July 10-15 in Honolulu.
Pair of Studies Link Vitamin D, Cognitive Ability in Seniors
Two recent studies indicate that vitamin D intake can have a significant effect on the cognitive abilities of the elderly. Unfortunately, more than half of older Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to David Llewellyn, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Exeter Peninsula Medical School, United Kingdom. Llewellyn presented data on this topic from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES III, during the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010, July 10-15 in Honolulu.
