Did you attend the 2009 Combined Meeting of the ASSH & ASHT in San Francisco?
- Claim your CME online and print off a certificate now!
Access the Annual Meeting CD-ROM content online (includes handouts and scientific abstracts)
- Mark your calendars for future Annual Meeting dates and locations!
Item Found At Annual Meeting
A blue blazer was left at the registration desk in San Francisco. If you believe this item belongs to you, please contact the ASSH staff office at 847.384.8300 for further assistance.
Refine Your Skills and Learn New Techniques
Learn and practice the most effective arthroscopic approaches for the elbow and wrist as well as the latest, advanced techniques for contracture release, fracture treatment, and stabilization at the AAOS/ASSH Advanced Elbow and Wrist Arthroscopy and Reconstruction surgical skills course. This in-depth course blends didactic instruction, faculty demonstrations, debates, and ample hands-on lab practice to help you clarify the pros and cons of various treatments and impart a new skill set or level of comfort with addressing traumatic and degenerative problems.
Sessions begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday evening, November 12 and continue through Saturday, November 14. This course is designated for a maximum of 19 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. For more information or to register, call AAOS Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-626-6726 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Central Time, or visit us online at www.aaos.org/3331.
Medical News
New Resource To Help Physicians Prepare For the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule - From AMA
New regulations effective Sept. 23, 2009 require all physicians who are covered by HIPAA to notify patients if there are breaches of security involving unsecured patient information. New AMA guidance summarizes these new requirements. These requirements apply in addition to any notification obligations imposed by state law. These requirements also supplement the obligations imposed by the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.
Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/hipaa for additional information.
AAOS, Other Organizations, Cannot Support Current Baucus Bill - From AAOS
In a letter sent last week to ranking members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, AAOS, along with other members of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, states that it cannot support the healthcare reform bill proposed by committee chair Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Among the reasons given for not supporting the bill:
- The bill does no provide a permanent solution for the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula, which currently calls for a 21 percent reduction in reimbursement in 2010.
- The bill calls for budget-neutral funding, which could increase reimbursement for primary care at the expense of specialty care.
- The bill would remove oversight of Medicare payments from Congress.
- The Alliance is concerned that the bill could make the Physician’s Quality Reporting Initiative punitive by eliminating incentives and replacing them with penalties.
- The bill would alter the current requirements for physician-owned hospitals.
Read the letter (PDF)…
Read the letter from AAOS President Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, to the AAOS fellowship…(member login required)
House Committee Concludes Markup; AMA Letter Shows Support For Amendment To Balance Bill Patients - From AMA
The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce considered a package of amendments on Sept. 23, including one offered by Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, R-Texas. This amendment would have permitted physicians and other providers under the public health plan option to balance bill patients, and allowed patients to enter into private contracts with their physician without restrictions.
The AMA sent a letter to Rep. Burgess on Sept. 22 expressing its support for the amendment and thanking him for helping to ensure patients across the country have access to quality care as well as increased freedom and flexibility in choosing their physician. It was defeated on a roll call vote, 21-31. House leaders will craft a single bill for consideration later in the fall.
Visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/hsr-burgess-amendment-letter.pdf to view the AMA’s letter to Rep. Burgess.
"Important Links" from the AMA Health System Reform Bulletin - From AMA
AMA letter to Baucus regarding "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009" (PDF)
Amendments submitted to "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009"
"America's Healthy Future Act of 2009" (PDF)
Dr. Rohack's statement at Sept. 15 House hearing (PDF)