Government & Medicine
AAFP Asks Members to Call on Congress to Pass Health Care Reform
(02/08/2010)
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The AAFP once again is rallying support for enactment of comprehensive health care reform legislation by asking its members to send a message about the need for health care reform directly to Congress. The Academy issued an Action Alert on Feb. 5, urging members to sign on to a Speak Out letter that calls on Congress to pass reform legislation that enhances access, improves quality and lowers costs.
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Obama Budget Makes Key Investments in Primary Care, Says AAFP President
(02/03/2010)
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The Obama administration's fiscal year 2011 budget would provide funding increases for a number of primary care-related programs and, thus, would enable the U.S. health care system to take steps toward offering a high-quality, efficient and accessible health care system, according to AAFP President Lori Heim, M.D., of Vass, N.C.
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Administration Issues Interim Final Rules Implementing Mental Health Parity Act
Law Should Help Boost Access to Mental Health, Addiction Services, Says FP
(02/03/2010)
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The Obama administration has issued interim final rules for implementing The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. HHS will be accepting public comment on the rules, which were published Feb. 2 in the Federal Register, until May 3.
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Obama Renews Call for Health Care Reform During State of the Union Address
Health Care Problems Have Not Disappeared, Says AAFP President
(01/28/2010)
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During his first State of the Union address on Jan. 27, President Obama said he would continue to work for passage of a health care reform bill, reviving hopes that Congress may be able to pass comprehensive reform legislation this year.
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California Prepares to Implement Timely Physician Access Regulations for Managed Care Plans
(01/28/2010)
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California physicians are preparing for the effects of new regulations from the California Department of Managed Health Care, or DMHC, that will require physicians in managed care organizations to meet a series of timelines for providing care and services to patients seeking treatment.
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MedPAC Calls for 1 Percent Overall Payment Increase in 2011
Additional Increases for Primary Care Also Needed
(01/27/2010)
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The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, will ask Congress to approve a 1 percent increase in the Medicare physician payment rate for 2011 and to provide a budget-neutral payment increase next year for physicians whose practices are focused on primary care services.
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Graham Center Commentary Urges Greater Prevention Role for Medicare
(01/27/2010)
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The federal government can more effectively invest in prevention and wellness if it gives the Medicare system greater latitude to make coverage decisions and changes the Medicare payment system to reward the coordination of preventive care services. That's according to a recent commentary by family physician Lenard Lesser, M.D., a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Andrew Bazemore, M.D., M.P.H., assistant director of the AAFP's Robert Graham Center in Washington.
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AAFP Rallies Member Support for Permanent SGR Fix
(01/13/2010)
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The AAFP has issued a Speak Out Action Alert asking members to contact their representatives in the House and Senate to tell them that family physicians should no longer have to operate with a payment system based on the flawed sustainable growth rate, or SGR, formula.
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CMS Proposes Rule to Rein in Medicare Advantage Plans
AAFP, 80-Plus Medical Organizations Applaud CMS Efforts
(01/12/2010)
Federal Government Issues New Health IT Regulations
CMS Proposes Definition of EHR 'Meaningful Use'
(01/06/2010)
Government Agency Announces MACPAC Appointees
Two FPs Tapped for Terms on New Commission
(01/04/2010)
Senate Passage of Bill Moves Congress Closer to Enacting Health Care Reform
Legislation Contains Provisions Favorable to Primary Care
(12/24/2009)
Congress Approves Temporary Payment Patch, President Signs Bill
Legislation Gives Lawmakers More Time to Seek Long-term SGR Solution
(12/22/2009)
President Announces Funds for Community Health Centers, PCMH Pilot Project
AAFP Leaders Attend Event, Meet With Federal Officials
(12/16/2009)
Organizations Urge Congress to Strengthen Primary Care Provisions in Health Care Reform Bills
(12/14/2009)
AAFP Reviews 2010 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule
Comments Commend Pay Raise for Primary Care, Decry Overall Pay Cut
(12/08/2009)
AAFP Letter to Senate Majority Leader
Senate Reform Legislation OK in Some Areas But Doesn't Meet Some Basic Health Care Needs
(12/02/2009)
AAFP News Now
National Influenza Vaccination Week to Focus on H1N1 Efforts
CDC Urges Physicians to Vaccinate Against Pneumococcal Disease
Government & Medicine
USPSTF Updates Screening Recs for Childhood, Teen Obesity
PricewatehouseCoopers Assesses 'Top 10' Health Issues for 2010
AAFP, AAMC, Others Team Up on Primary Care Survey
Study of Physician Numbers Projects Smaller, Younger Workforce
Residency Directors Air Duty-hour Concerns in AFMRD Survey
As We See It: Voices From the AAFP (Members Only)
Guest Opinion: FP Carries Olympic Torch to Honor Colleagues (Members Only)
Letter: Not Everyone Is Enchanted With EHRs (Members Only)









