House Passes Bill to Fix Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate
11/20/2009 The AAFP has hailed House passage of a bill that would provide a permanent fix for the sustainable growth rate, or SGR formula, as a victory for both Medicare patients and their physicians. "This legislation builds a good foundation on which comprehensive, meaningful and sustainable health care reform can be built and assures Medicare patients that they will get the care they need, when they need it, from the most appropriate physician," said AAFP President Lori Heim, M.D., of Vass, N.C. in a prepared statement.Read complete coverage in AAFP News Now.
Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, Texas is escorted to the podium after winning the race to be the AAFP's new President-elect
AAFP Congress of Delegates Charts Course, Elects Officers
10/21/2009 The AAFP Congress of Delegates worked diligently on your behalf taking action on a multitude of important issues, October 12 - 14 in Boston. Notably, the Congress adopted resolutions that call for the Academy to support primary care extension programs, enhanced Medicare drug coverage and federal legislation that would ensure medical care in Patient-Centered Medical Homes is directed by primary care physicians. The delegates also reaffirmed the Academy's policy on graduate medical education funding, stipulating that further work hours changes should be evidence-based. New leaders were elected to serve on the Board of Directors and Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., was selected as President-elect.• Read complete coverage in AAFP News Now
ACT TODAY: Legislation Would Clear Path to Permanent Medicare Physician Payment Fix
10/15/2009 Legislation that would reset the sustainable growth rate, or SGR, formula, to zero and eliminate the $245 billion debt that has accumulated during the past six years is working its way through the U.S. Senate. Before S. 1776 can reach the Senate floor, it must garner the support of at least 60 senators on three procedural votes, with the first vote expected on Monday."Senators need to hear from physicians today on the importance of voting in favor of each of these procedural votes," said AAFP President Lori Heim, M.D. "Without this legislation, we won't have a permanent payment fix, and we're facing a 21 percent cut in Medicare payment at the end of the year."
• Act Today: Contact Your Senators about S.1776, the Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act
• "Legislation Could Fix SGR Formula" -- AAFP News Now
AAFP Leaders Meet with President Obama; Discuss Health Care Reform
10/07/2009 During a recent gathering of physicians in the White House Rose Garden, President Obama emphasized that physicians are on the front lines in the battle for health care reform. And, during a short private meeting in the Oval Office before the larger event, he urged AAFP leaders to push for enactment of health care reform legislation this year.According to participants in that meeting, including AAFP President Ted Epperly, M.D., of Boise, Idaho; AAFP President-elect Lori Heim, M.D., of Vass, N.C.; and AAFP Board Chair Jim King, M.D., of Selmer, Tenn., Obama told the AAFP leaders and leaders of other physician groups that physicians are highly trusted and respected by the American public. This puts them in an ideal position to advocate on behalf of health care reform.
• "AAFP Leaders Meet with President Obama" -- AAFP News Now
Help for New Physicians
09/18/2009 To help new physicians get off to a good start in practice, the AAFP offers discounts on a variety of educational and practice management resources. Through Experience the AAFP, members in their first seven years following residency completion can take advantage of reduced rates on a sample of CME tools, networking opportunities and resources that address a range of practice issues.
Health Reform Fact Sheet Available for Patients
09/01/2009 With the health care reform debate entering its most critical period, patients across the country are asking their family physician for answers to questions such as -- "Which health reform claims are true? Where can I find a bipartisan source for more information? Why are the reform proposals being reviewed by Congress important to me, your patient?" The AAFP has created a one-page information sheet (PDF file; About PDFs) that physicians can download and share with their patients.
Why the AAFP is Supporting Health Care Reform
08/20/2009 You've seen the recent news coverage of the health care reform debate -- raucous town hall meetings, skepticism and talk of "socialized medicine." Recently, AAFP President Dr. Ted Epperly shared his thoughts on why the AAFP is actively supporting health care reform with members who have joined the Academy's e-advocacy campaign, AAFP Connect for Reform (Members Only). If you're not yet a part of Connect for Reform, please join today. Not only will you receive weekly messages like this one from Dr. Epperly -- you'll be able to share your views on the health reform debate with fellow family physicians and AAFP leadership.
07/30/2009
“I spend 40 percent of my time away from my patients doing paperwork and getting prior authorizations,” said Jim King, MD, a family physician in Selmer, Tenn. “We need to start taking the barriers that are between me and my patients away.”
The AAFP, in cooperation with the Herndon Alliance, has launched Heal Health Care Now, a Web-based initiative including a provocative video featuring nine family doctors speaking in support of health system reform. Watch the video -- and share it with your family, friends and patients. Then take action and contact your legislators and President Obama -- letting them know that you want high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
The AAFP, in cooperation with the Herndon Alliance, has launched Heal Health Care Now, a Web-based initiative including a provocative video featuring nine family doctors speaking in support of health system reform. Watch the video -- and share it with your family, friends and patients. Then take action and contact your legislators and President Obama -- letting them know that you want high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
Our Opportunity to Shape Health Reform
07/07/2009 With the health care reform debate entering its most critical period, FPs across the country are becoming more active and influential in a collective movement to fix our broken health care system. Follow and help shape the historic health care debate by joining AAFP’s new e-advocacy campaign, AAFP Connect for Reform (Members Only) -- where you will find the latest news and information on developments in Congress and the Obama Administration. The campaign is equipped with a number of cutting edge advocacy tools and resources -- allowing you to choose how and to what degree to take part. Over 3,000 AAFP members are already helping wage a vigorous campaign to restructure the health care system to improve the lives of patients -- please join today!Keep Pressure On for Meaningful Reform
07/02/2009 The Academy continues to play a strong role in the health care reform debate in Washington. Read more about the Academy's message in Congressional testimony and at a recent town hall meeting. While your members of Congress are home for the holiday recess, remind them where we stand. Speak Out can help you find a town hall event near you (1-page PDF file; About PDFs).Shaping the Reform Debate
06/23/2009 On June 20, the AAFP and the Robert Graham Center were featured prominently in a story that ran on the front page of the Washington Post. The story highlighted the primary care physician shortage that our country is facing. It also illustrates how the AAFP continues to be highly engaged in shaping the health reform debate currently taking place in Washington, DC.PCMH: Learn and Earn
06/15/2009 The AAFP Scientific Assembly in Boston, October 14-17, provides a good opportunity for physicians to learn more about the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) while earning CME credits. A variety of CME sessions exploring the PCMH will offer physicians a chance to weigh their options, and customize their plans for practice transformation.PCMH Resources "Under One Roof"
06/05/2009 To help Academy members reach their practice transformation goals, the AAFP has created a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) section on the Academy Web site. The section organizes a variety of resources, tools, information and links into the four building blocks of the PCMH, and puts them all under one roof. The section is designed to make it convenient for physicians to explore their PCMH options and track their own progress toward becoming a Patient-Centered Medical Home.• "Explore AAFP's Comprehensive Medical Home Resources" - AAFP News Now
What's Your Medical Home IQ?
05/26/2009 Becoming a patient-centered medical home isn’t easy, but your practice can easily access a way to measure its progress: a free, online practice assessment tool called the Medical Home Implementation Quotient (MHIQ) from TransforMED, a practice redesign initiative founded by the AAFP. The MHIQ provides resources to help practices become designated as medical homes under the Physician Practice Connections -- Patient-Centered Medical Home program of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.Working For All of Us
05/18/2009 While Memorial Day, May 25, reminds us to commemorate the men and women who have died while in military service, it also reminds us to express thanks to all the uniformed family physicians here and abroad serving on active duty, in the reserves and the National Guard. The AAFP also thanks their family physician partners, colleagues and families for supporting their service to our nation. We are grateful for and humbled by the sacrifices made every day by these committed and courageous Americans.Making Family Medicine Stronger
05/04/2009 Inspiration. Knowledge. Training for chapter leaders. Policy input from AAFP's special constituency groups. These all came together April 23-25 at the Annual Leadership Forum and National Conference of Special Constituencies in Kansas City, Mo. Together, these concurrent meetings each year make the AAFP and family medicine stronger.• 2009 NCSC Elects New Leaders-AAFP News Now
Make Your Voice Heard
04/27/2009 Help determine the future of AAFP leadership by visiting the Web pages (members only) of candidates for AAFP offices and the Board of Directors. Read about the candidates, ask them questions and check back later for answers. Then, tell your chapter's delegates to the Congress of Delegates whom you'd want them to vote for when the Congress elects officers and directors Oct.14 in Boston.CME to Suit Your Needs
04/20/2009 The Academy continually reviews and refreshes its CME programs and products to meet member needs in the areas of patient care, professional development and practice improvement. Members can access the CME Center and find CME the way they want it -- from weeklong in-depth courses to local sessions for the entire practice team, from print to online, from audio podcast to video DVD.Alert Urges Support of House Budget Resolution
04/10/2009 The AAFP has issued a Legislative Alert through its newly launched Connect for Reform (Members Only) campaign to urge members of Congress to support the House version of a recently passed budget resolution. AAFP members are encouraged to call their members of Congress to tell them to support the House budget committee's provisions to improve physician payment. "Physician payment hangs in the balance," it warns.• "AAFP Rallies Support for House Budget Resolution"-AAFP News Now
Web Sites Streamlined
03/30/2009 The AAFP and its sister organizations continuously upgrade their Web sites to meet your needs. Of note, the Robert Graham Center, the AAFP Foundation and the Center for Health IT were all recently updated and enhanced to offer user-friendly functionality and specific, practical resources. For example, the Center for Health IT site, which has always offered members-only access to EHR product reviews, will soon feature video CME on the topic of e-prescribing.Ramped Up and Ready for You
03/23/2009 With the call for health care reform gaining momentum, the time has never been better for FPs to become active in the movement. To assist you, the AAFP has ramped up its grass-roots advocacy efforts by launching AAFP Connect for Reform for members. Joining this campaign will make it even easier for you to become involved and effect change in the national health care reform debate. With a number of advocacy resources and tools at your disposal, you can choose how, and to what degree, you take part. Are you ready? If you are, then the AAFP is ready for you.• "AAFP Launches Grass-roots Reform Campaign"-AAFP News Now
Connecting FPs to Opportunities
03/16/2009 If you are interested in finding practice opportunities or need to hire staff, you will want to explore AAFP CareerLink, a new and expanded online job board. Job seekers can receive customized job alerts, create CV and cover letters for easy distribution, and access career resources. Employers in search of staff can track applicants, display their business profile, and pre-screen potential applicants. AAFP members receive free access to the resume database and discounts when posting positions.
Epperly Says FPs Ready to Make Reform Work
03/06/2009 During the "White House Forum on Health Reform" on March 5, President Barack Obama asked AAFP President Ted Epperly, M.D. what role physicians were willing to play in health reform. Dr. Epperly's response: "Speaking on behalf of over 100,000 doctors, we're ready to do our part. We very much believe that we need to expand coverage in this country to everyone, and we need to fix the workforce, sir, so that all those patients have a place to go. We'll roll up our shirt sleeves and do everything possible to make this work."• "AAFP President Tells Obama of Need to Strengthen the Nation's Primary Care Workforce"-AAFP News Now
Addressing Your Assessment Concerns
03/02/2009 Concerned about the call for assessment of physician quality and efficiency? Wonder about the methodology and application of these measurements? If so, the AAFP's free guide for members (8-page PDF; About PDFs) answers frequently asked questions and addresses common concerns about physician assessment. Also, be assured that the AAFP, on behalf of our members, is collaborating with the creators of physician assessment programs to help standardize the measures and ensure transparency.• AAFP's related policy on Physician Measurement/Profiling
A Comprehensive Look at the PCMH
02/19/2009 Members who want to know more about the patient-centered medical home, or PCMH, won't want to miss AAFP News Now's special report, "Patient-Centered Medical Home." This multimedia presentation pulls the pieces of the PCMH together with comprehensive reporting on what's happening with the PCMH model in the federal, state, residency program and medical school arenas. It also covers proposed payment methods, and features stories from family medicine practices who are already transforming into a PCMH. The report also includes Q & A's with physicians and experts, and provides links to additional educational resources.Medical Home Pilot In Media Spotlight
02/16/2009 A medical home pilot project recently caught the attention of the The New York Times. The story, "UnitedHealth and I.B.M. Test Health Care Plan," focused on the cooperation among physicians, business, and insurers, further elevating the medical home concept. A key participant in the pilot project -- James Dearing, D.O., a member of the AAFP board of directors -- provided a credible voice as a source for the article. Media coverage such as this, helps sharpen the focus on the patient-centered medical home.News Summary Saves You Time
02/05/2009 Your time is valuable. That's why AAFP News Now offers a quick and easy audio news summary, or audiocast, of the latest family medicine news each week. You can access the audiocast in two different ways: You can listen to it right here on this site by going to AAFP News Now (upper-left of this page), clicking on the orange POD letters, then choosing the summary you want. Or you can sign up to have it automatically download to your computer (also called a podcast) for playback on your computer or MP3 player. It's your choice.Tested, Tailored Transformation Help
01/28/2009 The thought of transforming your practice to become a true patient-centered medical home can be daunting. TransforMED's wide range of services, based on work with practices across the country, can facilitate and help navigate your journey through that process. With TransforMED's guidance and resources you can target, plan and implement a practical approach to transformation that fits your practice's budget and meets your practice’s needs.• "Explore TransforMED's New Line of Products and Services"-AAFP News Now
Getting the Recognition You Deserve
01/19/2009 AAFP members choosing to pursue NCQA recognition as a patient-centered medical home might want to consider taking advantage of the AAFP's free "Road to Recognition" guide. This downloadable resource provides tools that are designed to help clarify and simplify the process. Since not all FPs are working toward the same level of recognition, the guide lets you pick and choose the elements that best suit your specific goals.•"New Guide Helps FPs Navigate Documentation Process"-AAFP News Now
Looking Back and Forging Ahead
01/12/2009 The month of January is a good time to take stock of the past year and contemplate what's in store for FPs and family medicine in 2009. The following pieces can help AAFP members do just that.• "2008: The Year in Review"-AAFP News Now
• Board Chair Jim King, M.D. shares his view of what was accomplished for family medicine in 2008.-AAFP News Now (members only)
• The 2009 Environmental Scan evaluates what's on the horizon for health care policy and what it means for AAFP members.(members only)
Engaging and Educating Patients
01/07/2009 To further empower and engage patients in their own health, the Academy's award-winning patient education Web site, FamilyDoctor.org, is expanding its health information and tools. Watch a video on the site to learn more about these new enhancements to FamilyDoctor.org.• "New FamilyDoctor.org Offers Videocentric Patient Education"-AAFP News Now
Board Chair Jim King, M.D., President Ted Epperly, M.D., President-elect Lori Heim, M.D.
Leaders Share Vision for the New Year
12/24/2008 The Academy's top leadership took a few minutes away from a Board of Directors meeting recently to sit down and record a short message to members. Hear their wishes and vision for family medicine in the coming year. Season's Greetings from everyone at the AAFP.Obama Team Seeks Academy Input
12/09/2008 Accepting an invitation from the president-elect's transition team, AAFP staff sat down recently with transition team representatives to share family medicine's view of effective health care reform. Discussion of the important role family physicians will play in health care for all led to further dialogue about the urgent issues of additional support for family medicine education and improved payment structures. Staff came away from the meeting encouraged by a clear and convincing level of commitment by the incoming administration to primary care.State Chapters Convene and Collaborate
11/24/2008 With a common goal--to influence health care policy at the state level--FPs, constituent chapter leaders, executives and AAFP staff gathered at the AAFP's State Legislative Conference in St. Louis, Nov. 14-15. Participants explored emerging issues and shared best practices pertaining to policies that impact family physicians, including workforce recruitment and retention. Aligning their efforts, the state chapters continue to advocate on behalf of family medicine and build solutions from the ground up.•"Conference Underscores Need for More Primary Care Physicians"-AAFP News Now
Contributions Bolster Family Medicine's Position
11/17/2008 Elevating the presence and pull of the specialty, FamMedPAC's disbursements supported 115 congressional candidates in contested races this election cycle--from both parties--who have voting records that support family medicine's issues. Of those candidates, 104 won their races. With many of these legislators in leadership roles or serving on key committees, FamMedPAC's influence has put the AAFP in an even stronger position to work with the new Congress.• "FamMedPAC Reaches New Fund-raising Heights"-AAFP News Now
Resource for Achieving CME Goals
11/11/2008 Mailed last month to members and also available online for quick access, the AAFP CME Catalog 2009 (32-page PDF file. About PDFs) is your comprehensive guide to planning your CME for next year. A streamlined personal learning plan page helps you set your objectives, identify your learning style preferences and chart your course to meet your CME objectives. The catalog includes a full schedule of course offerings along with new learning opportunities such as Learning Link and clinical course e-mail discussion lists.An Enhanced FPM
11/03/2008 Continuing to focus on what you need to make your practice the best it can be, Family Practice Management (FPM) has expanded its offerings. On Nov. 6, a new "digital FPM"--an electronic replica of the print journal-- will be sent to members' e-mail boxes. Among other things, the digital edition has hyperlink capabilities that should enrich your reading experience. In addition, the FPM Web site will be enhanced with thought-provoking and useful blogs from FPs and the FPM staff.Templates Ease the Process
11/01/2008 As the AAFP keeps tabs on persistent issues with health plans that impede your ability to care for patients, a few have come to the forefront recently. In response, we've created new letter templates for our members that should simplify the process of communicating these issues to health plans. Among other things, the letters address fair payment for immunizations, group visits and mental health services. Easy to download from our Web site, these templates were designed to help you make your practice less about the process, and more about the patients.• "Note to Physicians: Take Issues Directly to Health Plans"-AAFP News Now
Essential Guide for E-Prescribing
10/27/2008 Leading the way in the growing trend of e-prescribing, the AAFP's Center for Health Information Technology collaborated with CMS to create a practical guide to e-prescribing. "A Clinician's Guide to Electronic Prescribing" (42-page PDF; About PDFs) is available online and free to download. The guide is designed to help physicians understand the benefits, anticipate and overcome the challenges and master the technology of e-prescribing. As an integral component of the patient-centered medical home, e-prescribing is becoming more essential everyday.•Download New Electronic Prescribing Guide-AAFP News Now
Continuing to Collaborate for Change
10/20/2008 Major employers, consumer groups, policymakers and primary care advocates, including the AAFP, joined forces at the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, for a one-day summit. Stakeholders shared best practices and the successes of various patient-centered medical home (PCMH) pilot projects. A survey (7-page PDF file. About PDFs), released in conjunction with the summit, found that support for both presidential candidates' health care plans surges when the PCMH model is added to the plans. The evidence mounts and pushes us to continue to advocate for adoption of the patient-centered medical home.Saving FPs Valuable Time
10/13/2008 The business of running a medical practice is time consuming. To help you and your staff save time when shopping for goods and services for your practice, we compiled the AAFP Buyer's Guide. Whether you are shopping for medical or office equipment, financial services, software or staffing help, this one-stop online resource simplifies your search and helps you cut through the clutter of the Internet to find the products you need- quickly and conveniently.Carrying Family Medicine's Torch
10/07/2008 AAFP President Ted Epperly, M.D. has hit the ground running championingfamily medicine's role in the quest to reform health care. In his president's address to AAFP members in San Diego, Epperly laid out a blueprint for transforming the health care system and called on FPs to "push as we have never pushed before" for change. In an interview discussing ideas for health care reform with Kaiser's Health08 Web site, Epperly stressed that primary care should be the "solid foundation" and the patient-centered medical home the "building block" for reform.
Congress Charts Course for 2009
09/29/2008 The AAFP Congress of Delegates worked diligently on your behalf taking action on a multitude of important issues, Sept. 15-17 in San Diego. Notably, the Congress adopted a Board recommendation to integrate the patient-centered medical home model into a new Health Care for All plan. The delegates also selected new leaders to serve on the Board of Directors and chose Lori Heim, M.D. as President-elect.• News from 2008 Annual Assembly - AAFP News Now
• Final Reference Committee Reports
• 2008-2009 Board of Directors
Sizing Up the Candidates
09/22/2008 The presidential election will likely determine the direction of the AAFP's ongoing fight for health care reform. To help you learn where the candidates stand on important health care issues, the AAFP has compiled Presidential Election 2008-- a collection of resources that includes a comparison of the presidential candidates' health care platforms, background material on family medicine's major issues, analyses, news coverage and more. As you prepare to vote in this crucial election, draw upon Presidential Election 2008 for your information needs.News and Views from Congress of Delegates
09/18/2008 Via daily online updates, AAFP News Now covered the Congress of Delegates this week in San Diego. Listen to audiocasts featuring member comments and responses to the actions of the AAFP Congress. Get the latest election results and highlights from each day in stories posted online. With AAFP News Now, you're just a click away from the news of the day.
Working For All of Us
09/10/2008 In special recognition this week of September 11th, the AAFP would like to express thanks to all the uniformed family physicians here and abroad serving on active duty, in the reserves and the National Guard. The AAFP also thanks their family physician partners, colleagues and families for supporting their service to our nation. We are grateful for and humbled by the sacrifices made every day by these committed and courageous Americans.Change Is Afoot for AAFP News Now
09/03/2008 Still "the family physician's trusted source for news," AAFP News Now continues to evolve to keep pace with technology and better meet your information needs. With the transition from a printed version of AAFP News Now to a monthly PDF roundup of news stories available online, the publication has gone completely electronic. What hasn't changed is your 24/7 online access to the news family physicians need to know.• AAFP News Now (PDF version)
• AAFP News Now (Online version)
AAFP at the National Conventions
08/25/2008 Seizing the opportunity to push health care as a priority, FamMedPAC is bringing family medicine's voice to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Visible at numerous health care events, FamMedPAC board members and AAFP board members are engaging decision-makers and advancing the AAFP's advocacy agenda. Our presence at the conventions ensures the FP's perspective will be a part of the health care reform discussions.• FamMedPAC (Members Only)
Fostering The Future
08/20/2008 Residents and students came together recently at the AAFP's National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. The focus was global and the energy was palpable as attendees explored humanitarian efforts and health opportunities at home and abroad. Potential policies were shaped and budding leadership was elected. The learning was first-rate and hands-on. This is the future of family medicine and the future looks bright.• Residents, Students Tackle Relevant Issues - AAFP News Now
• FP Urges Wise Choices for Residents and Students - AAFP News Now
• Residents and Students Choose New Leaders - AAFP News Now
FP Response May Affect Payment
08/13/2008 The AAFP is encouraging all members to verify whether or not they were randomly selected to participate in the AMA's 2008 Physician Practice Information Survey. To date, only 33 percent of the number of family physicians required by the survey team have responded -- significantly behind responses from other specialties. Make sure the family physician's point of view is represented -- completing the survey could have far reaching implications, including physician payment.• AMA Appeals to Docs - AAFP News Now
• Check Selected Survey Participants
Patients Have a Place to Advocate
08/04/2008 It's valuable to have patients as allies as the AAFP continues to advocate for fair payment and health care reform. For this reason, we've created a Web site for your patients to learn more about the AAFP's advocacy issues. Family Health Advocate (www.familyhealthadvocate.org) is designed to inform, engage, motivate and make it easy for patients to become advocates for health care issues that affect them and family physicians alike.• Family Health Advocate Web site
• Web Site Encourages Patients to Advocate - AAFP News Now
Fostering The Future
08/04/2008 Creating a vision for the future, residents and students came together recently atthe AAFP's National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. The focus was global and the energy was palpable as attendees explored humanitarian efforts and health opportunities at home and abroad. Potential policies were shaped and budding leadership was elected. The learning was first-rate and hands-on. This is the future of family medicine and the future looks bright.
• Residents, Students Tackle Relevant Issues - AAFP News Now
• FP Urges Wise Choices for Residents and Students - AAFP News Now
• Residents and Students Choose New Leaders - AAFP News Now
Other Publications
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Working For You
Libby's Day (*PDF file)
Clinical
Medical Students & Residents
New to Practice
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