AAOS Now, September 2009
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AAOS takes aim at healthcare reform
As members of Congress return to Washington after the August recess, they are faced with the challenges of finalizing and reconciling healthcare reform measures. Although both the House and Senate failed to meet President Obama’s initial deadline of passing comprehensive healthcare reform before Labor Day, neither the president—nor the American public—are willing to let this opportunity go by. The president has now stated that healthcare reform will pass by the end of the year.
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AAOS responds to Obama remarks
During a town hall meeting on Aug. 12 in Portsmouth, N.H., President Barack Obama really put his foot in his mouth, saying, “Right now ... if a family care physician works with his or her patient to help them lose weight, modify diet, monitors whether they’re taking their medications in a timely fashion, they might get reimbursed a pittance. But if that same diabetic ends up getting their foot amputated, that’s 30,000, 40,[000], 50,000 dollars immediately the surgeon is reimbursed.”
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FDA tackles acetaminophen and liver toxicity
What’s the link between acetaminophen and liver disease? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acetaminophen was the most common cause of acute liver failure in 2007. Additionally, almost half of unintentional acetaminophen-related deaths were caused by an over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen product (Fig.1). As a result, the U.S.
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Healthcare reform and the Orthopaedic PAC
If not now, when? If not you, who? The Obama administration’s press for healthcare reform should provide an impetus for every orthopaedic surgeon—indeed, every healthcare provider—to be involved with advocacy. Not since the early years of the Clinton administration has there been so much activity on the issue of health care. As of this writing (early August), healthcare reform is a major focus for both houses of Congress.
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AAOS Act of 2009 introduced in the Senate
Sens. Cardin and Burr are cosponsors On July 30, 2009, the Access to America’s Orthopaedic Services Act of 2009 (AAOS Act), S1548, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.). This introduction, the first of its kind in the Senate, marks a historical victory for the orthopaedic community. S1548 complements legislation already introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Michael Burgess, MD (R-Texas).
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The need for tort reform in the current healthcare debate
Why we can’t forget tort reform The U.S. healthcare system will likely undergo considerable change this year. Efforts to increase access to care and to reduce overall costs have created a strong push for healthcare reform. Although many aspects of the healthcare system are up for discussion, one topic being ignored is tort reform. President Obama, in his address to the American Medical Association, stated that tort reform is off the table with respect to healthcare reform discussions.
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Second Look – Reimbursement & Regulation
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.