Federal News
New Interactive Tobacco Map Launched
An interactive map from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will give policy-makers and advocates a nationwide picture of continuing state efforts on key tobacco control. The “map” is actually three distinct maps, each focusing on a different aspect of tobacco policy: state-by-state breakdowns on smoke-free laws, cigarette tax rates and total tobacco control spending. [Read article]
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Pay System Fact Sheet Series
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a revised Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Fact Sheet (March 2010), which includes information about the 0 percent update to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule effective for dates of service January 1, 2010 - March 31, 2010. [Read article]
AHA: Offer Incremental Meaningful Use Objectives Model, Add 12 Objectives
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has offered an alternative approach for the definition of meaningful use, including the addition of 12 objectives to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). [Read article]
Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are known to reflect access to care and other issues that arise from differing socioeconomic conditions. There is, however, increasing evidence that even after such differences are accounted for, race and ethnicity remain significant predictors of the quality of health care received (full printed & CD versions). [Read article]
Changing the Discussion From Physician Burnout to Physician Wellness
A new case study by family medicine educators indicates that to create a more positive educational environment for residents and faculty, academic medicine has to change from a focus on the causes of physician burnout to a focus on physician wellness. [Read article]
NACo Meeting Hears About More Dollars & More Attention For Rural America
In an Agri-Pulse publication, Mary Wakefield explained that the National Health Service Corps offers $50,000 in debt relief to doctors who commit to working in rural communities for two years and $150,000 for a five-year commitment. “With an average med school graduate carrying $150,000 of debt, this puts rural communities on even ground with larger urban areas.” [Read article]
AHA Chart Compares Senate Health Reform Bill, President's Plan
The AHA has compiled a document, Summary of Health Reform Legislation, summarizing the Senate's health reform bill and noting elements that Obama has suggested changing as part of a final reform package. [Read article]
EMR Use Still Low At Solo And Small Practices
Adoption rates at practices with more than 10 physicians have grown significantly since 2009. Many small practices have been reluctant to invest before knowing what those requirements would be. [Read article]
