Court rules residents are not students

Hassan R. Mir, MD

Ruling does not affect previous FICA refund claims On Jan. 12, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that medical residents are not entitled to the student exemption from paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research v. United States).

The future of the healthcare reform law

Ashlen Anderson

By Ashlen Anderson States take constitutionality of PPACA to the courts Following the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), 28 states filed lawsuits in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the law (Fig. 1). Although many of the lawsuits were thrown out of court for various procedural issues, three district court judges have now ruled that the law is constitutional and two others have ruled it unconstitutional.

Grant pushes COS to new heights

Susan J. Koshy, JD

40 percent membership increase just the beginning Over the past 2 years, the Colorado Orthopaedic Society (COS) has increased its membership by 40 percent and is on its way to becoming a model state specialty society, thanks to a grant from the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Second Look—Advocacy

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. Physician-owned hospitals A U.S.

AAOS gives House freshmen a lesson

Madeleine Lovette

Council on Advocacy brings physicians’ issues to Congress With one of the largest “freshman” classes in more than 60 years, the 112th Congress is taking on some major issues—including healthcare reform. To help bring these new members of Congress up to date on issues affecting the physician community, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) hosted two “briefing” sessions earlier this year. Council on Advocacy Chair Peter J.

From sickness insurance to health insurance

Taruna J. Madhav, MD; Manish Sethi, MD; Samir Mehta, MD; Ryan M. Nunley, MD

The search for affordable health care in America To understand healthcare reform in the context of the U.S. system of deliverying health care, an understanding of the past is helpful. Until recently—and in some areas of the world, even today—health care includes facets of herbology, astronomy, divinity, animism, and many other influencing factors.

Resident education: Healthcare policy

Eric C. Stiefel, MD

Residents in Florida are leading the way The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and state orthopaedic societies fulfill a vital role by keeping practicing orthopaedic surgeons up to date on healthcare policy issues and advocacy. But what about orthopaedic residents? How are we educating the true “grass roots” of our profession in these areas?

The election is over; now what?

Kenneth J. Edwards, MD

How to make an impact before the next election cycle begins In 2008 and 2010, two of the most emotional and partisan elections in recent memory were held. Campaigns in both elections were characterized by bold declarations that America was moving in the wrong direction and that “change” was necessary.

2011 NOLC preview

Madeleine Lovette

Hundreds of orthopaedic surgeons from around the country will travel to Washington, D.C., this month to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill during the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), April 6–8.