Orthopaedists and industry: Working together—at arm’s length

Mary Ann Porucznik

One year later, uncertainty continues This time last year, the orthopaedic industry was struggling to respond to the terms of a settlement reached by the US Attorney’s office for New Jersey (Department of Justice, DOJ) with five major orthopaedic hip and knee manufacturers. The settlements appear to have permanently altered the relationships between orthopaedic surgeons and industry. They continue to have a ripple effect in education funding, research, clinical care, and humanitarian efforts.

AAOS attends Democratic, Republican conventions

Tony Rankin, MD

Fellows, staff take opportunity to voice viewpoints Every 4 years, at the Democratic and Republican party conventions, Americans from all walks of life have the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with members of Congress, media personalities, and government representatives from all levels of government. As I discovered this year, attending the conventions is an exciting, rewarding experience.

RIOS preempts efforts to restrict POPTS

Charlene K. MacDonald, MPP

Attacks on physician ownership of physical therapy services (POPTS) in states across the country have prompted many orthopaedic surgeons to take political action to protect their practice models. Most recently, the Rhode Island Orthopaedic Society (RIOS), under the leadership of Mark A.

New advocacy committee tackles Medicare issues

Jacque Roche

Members will serve as a resource for external entities What are your “hot-button” issues? The ones that you, as an orthopaedic surgeon, want to weigh in on? No doubt, among them are issues that may not be yours to decide, but the decisions are ones that you’ll have to live by.

Barack Obama: Plan for a healthy America

A. Alex Jahangir, MD; Ryan M. Nunley, MD; the Washington Health Policy Fellows

Sen. Barack Obama National, not universal, coverage Although Sen. Obama would mandate health coverage for all children, no such mandate applies to adults; therefore, his plan is not truly a “universal” healthcare plan. Sen. Obama hopes that his proposed changes will increase access to health insurance. He estimates that using a combination of strategies, his plan would reduce a typical family’s health insurance premiums by $2,500 annually. Central to Sen.

John McCain: The straight-talking healthcare express

John H. Flint, MD; Ryan M. Nunley, MD; the Washington Health Policy Fellows

Sen. John McCain Lowering healthcare costs One aspect of Sen. McCain’s plan attempts to control costs by increasing competition among insurance companies. He would establish a national market, rather than subject insurance companies to a plethora of state rules and regulations. This would enable companies to compete across state lines and subject them to greater free market forces.

CMS exempts physicians from DMEPOS accreditation process

Robert Jasak, JD; Lindsay Law

During an Open Door Forum call on Sept. 3, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that physicians and licensed healthcare professionals will be exempt from the accreditation process required of suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).