AAOS Now, September 2016
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CMS Proposes Update to Existing CJR Model
On July 25, 2016, the Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed new models that increasingly include quality metrics for physician payment. Apart from introducing new mandatory cardiac care bundles and cardiac rehabilitation incentive payments, the proposal provides an update to the existing mandatory joint replacement bundled payment model (ie, the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement [CJR] model).
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New AMA President: Advocacy Is a Lifelong Pursuit
When the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD) met in Chicago June 11–15, 2016, AAOS delegate members John S. Early, MD; William J. Holt, MD; Alexandra E. Page, MD; Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH; and Kimberly J. Templeton, MD, and alternate delegate William O. Shaffer, MD, were among those present to applaud fellow orthopaedic surgeon Andrew W. Gurman, MD, as he was inaugurated president of medicine's largest organization and most powerful voice. Dr.
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SRS Angels Advocate for Increased NIH Funding
Supermodels—especially those who walk down the runway wearing lingerie fashions from Victoria's Secret—aren't the typical lobbyists for orthopaedic research. But the 2016 Research Capitol Hill Days actually featured two of the Victoria's Secret Angels. During Research Capitol Hill Days, the AAOS works with specialty societies to present actual patients to members of Congress to highlight the importance of orthopaedic research.
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AAOS Recognizes State Societies
(from left) Dr. Slough; MOS president; Pamela Dietrich, MOS executive director; Mark C. Pinto, MD; Stephen E. Lemos, MD, PhD, MOS 2nd vice-president; William Higginbotham III, MD; and Dean R. Schueller, MD.
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Anatomy of a Congressional Office
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) generally holds its annual National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) in early May. However, the Congressional calendar varies from year to year, and members of the House of Representatives or the Senate may be back in their districts during NOLC. As veterans of nearly 20 NOLC events, we've overheard AAOS fellows and spouses say, "What's the use of my attending if my representative is not in?" This is a complaint without merit.
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Second Look – Advocacy
These items originally appeared in AAOS Headline News Now, a thrice-weekly enewsletter that keeps AAOS members up to date on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, with links to more detailed information. Subscribe at www.aaos.org/news/news.asp (member login required) The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule for the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System.
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From Cleveland to Philadelphia with the Orthopaedic PAC
The Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (PAC) enables orthopaedic surgeons and their practices to pool their political contributions and support candidates who will help the organization achieve its legislative objectives. This summer, representatives from the Orthopaedic PAC participated in the 2016 Republican and Democratic national conventions. Having members of the PAC at both conventions was more than just a symbol of the orthopaedic presence in the political arena.