New Health Policy Fellows selected

The Washington Health Policy Fellow (WHPF) Selection Committee, composed of members of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Council on Advocacy, recently selected John Froelich, MD, and Roshan Shah, MD, JD, to serve as the 2011–2012 Washington Health Policy Fellows. John Froelich, MD Dr. Froelich is a PGY-5 resident at Southern Illinois University and will be doing a hand fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“Save our doctors Hawaii”

Linda J. Rasmussen, MD

Patient, physician coalition focuses on access to care Hawaii is the only state in the country with mandatory employer-provided health insurance for employees who work more than 20 hours per week. The result is that most Hawaiians have health insurance; however, Hawaii has a significant shortage of physicians due to low insurance reimbursements.

It’s time to make a choice

James B. Rickert, MD

Fixing the healthcare system may require some sacrifice It’s time for America’s orthopaedists to make a choice. Are we primarily business owners with a keen eye on the financial bottom line, or are we above all professionals, well versed in the healing arts and dedicated to our patients’ care, regardless of their circumstances?

Who is funding your trauma system?

Hassan R. Mir, MD

Over the past few decades, trauma systems have been developed in several states and have improved patient access to timely care. The importance of trauma systems in expediting patient care and transport cannot be overstated; however, a great deal of variability exists in the funding available to support their continued development and implementation.

Walden subs for Boehner at NOLC

Roshan Shah, MD, JD; John Froelich, MD

Budget negotiations overshadow lobbying efforts Although scheduled to address attendees at the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), Speaker of the House John Boehner (R–Ohio) was instead summoned to the White House to help negotiate a plan to prevent a government shutdown. In his stead, House Deputy Whip Greg Walden (R–Ore.) delivered a captivating address, described as “articulate” and “powerful” by many attendees.

Rules, reforms, and regulations

Mary Ann Porucznik

NOLC symposia spotlight issues of concern The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2011 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), was held in Washington, D.C., during a week filled with tense negotiations over the federal budget and efforts to avoid a government shutdown.

Custom-device regulations at a crossroads

Jeanie Kennedy

Are they working for you and your patients? Your patient has already had a total elbow replacement revision. She has a well-fixed revision humeral component but a loose ulnar component. The bone quality of the ulna is compromised so it appears that fixation is unlikely. Instead, the revision component will be fixed to the radius. You’ve contacted the manufacturing representative to inquire about a second custom device, but your request was denied.

Executive Director of the Year: Alan Skipper

(From left) David Teuscher, MD; AAOS President Daniel J. Berry, MD; NCOA Executive Director Alan Skipper; and BOC State Orthopaedic Societies Committee Chair David C. Markel, MD. Although he is a “part-time” executive director of the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA), Alan Skipper was instrumental in turning a “small, disorganized, financially starving group into a vibrant, growing, and active organization,” according to NCOA President William de Araujo, MD.

Colorado Orthopaedic Society awarded top honor

The Colorado Orthopaedic Society (COS) was awarded the 2011 State Orthopaedic Society Achievement Award for its successes in the areas of membership recruitment, advocacy, and organizational development. Theodore Clarke, MD, society president, accepted the award, which was presented during the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The annual award honors a state orthopaedic society that has had a measurable impact in addressing problems facing their membership.

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. Medicare fraud prosecutions pay off The U.S.

Physicians, Patients Lobby for NIH Funding

Erin Lynn Ransford

On Thursday, March 17, as part of the 2011 American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Research Capitol Hill Days, orthopaedic patients, physicians, and researchers visited Capitol Hill to urge members of Congress to maintain President Obama’s budget proposal, which reflects a 3.2 percent increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the coming fiscal year.