National joint registry legislation introduced

Annie Hayashi

Intent is positive, but proposal has drawbacks A bill to create a government-run joint registry program has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The “National Knee and Hip Replacement Registry Act of 2009,” sponsored by Reps. William Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), would establish the registry within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

AAOS honors New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Nick Piatek

Award recognizes achievements in liability reform The New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (NYSSOS) was awarded the 2009 State Orthopaedic Achievement Award for its success in raising awareness of the need for medical liability and tort reform. A. Philip Fontanetta, MD, society president, accepted the award, which was presented during the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. “NYSSOS is honored to receive this award from the AAOS,” said Dr. Fontanetta.

Making advocacy a priority—and supporting it painless

Nick Piatek

Tallahassee group develops political contribution model Plenty of orthopaedic groups have 100 percent participation in complaining about high medical liability premiums, unfunded mandates, and other legislative actions that affect their practices. But few match the 100 percent participation by the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) in helping to bring about positive changes by getting involved in the political process.

The 100 percent challenge

Peter Pollack

Match challenge generates resident participation in AAOS PAC The AAOS Board of Directors has met the challenge. The AAOS Board of Councilors is close. The Tallahassee Orthopaedic Clinic has 100 percent participation.

Indiana’s executive director wins award

Nick Piatek

Patricia Price is “indispensible” With more than 30 years of experience in the orthopaedic industry and 14 years as the executive director of the Indiana Orthopaedic Society (IOS), Patricia “Pat” Price is “indispensible,” according to Stephen F. Mitros, MD, past president of the IOS. During the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), Ms. Price was honored for her years of leadership and achievements with the “Executive Director of the Year Award.”

Second Look

If you missed these Headline News Now items the first time around, AAOS Now gives you a second chance to review them. Headline News Now—the AAOS thrice-weekly, online update of news of interest to orthopaedic surgeons—brings you the latest on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, as well as important announcements from AAOS.

State societies discuss strategies

Nick Piatek

AAOS education program aims to strengthen state societies Addressing issues such as scope of practice, medical liability reform, and the provision of ancillary services on the state level is much different than campaigning for them on a federal level. Yet state legislation may have as powerful an impact on an orthopaedic practice as federal regulations.

President Obama addresses AMA; seeks help from physicians

Toya M. Sledd, MPH, MBA

“Status quo is unsustainable; reform is a necessity,” he says More than 1,000 of the nation’s top physicians, including several AAOS members, attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting in Chicago, June 13-17, 2009. The hot-topic issue—healthcare reform—included consideration of various reports and resolutions by the House of Delegates (HOD), which heard testimonies from several physicians as well as a plea from U.S. President Barack Obama.