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February 22
Joint Advocacy Supports Tort Reform Bill
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:32 PM

On 2/21/12, AOA President Martin S. Levine, DO, and Pamela Grimaldi, DO, President of the Massachusetts Osteopathic Society (MOS), wrote to the Chair of the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary in support of HB 467, a bill that prohibits imposing liability on physicians or nurses who administer immunizations under public health programs, in any civil suit for damages resulting from any act or omission. In addition, the bill prohibits imposing liability on physicians or nurses for any act or omission related to voluntary participation in any disaster preparedness or response activities. We believe that reforming the medical tort liability system is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation—and our members—and remain committed to working with states to address this important issue. ​

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February 22
Media Spokesperson Gets Osteopathic Press 
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:31 PM

Robert I. Danoff, DO, an AOA board-certified family physician and one of our Media Spokespersons, shares useful tips for cutting through that post-Super Bowl fog to readers of this 2/13/12 Natural Solutions article. The tips were adapted from a post on the AOA’s QuarterLife-Health blog “Have a Game Plan for a Winning Super Bowl Monday,” that also featured tips f,rom Antoinette M. Cheney, DO, a board-certified family physician; Wayne J. Reynolds, DO, an osteopathic family physician; and Ivan Rusilko, DO, director of medical fitness and nutrition for the MIAMI Institute in Florida.  Are you a DO interested in participating in interviews for newspapers, television, magazines and other media?  Then complete this form to be considered for the AOA's Media Spokespersons Network. ​

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February 22
Membership Growth Exceeds Projections
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:30 PM
Category: Family

The AOA’s total membership reached 42,598 DOs and other osteopathic family members as of 2/17/12, the latest reports show.  This new total is an increase of 144 DOs since last week and is 1,659 more members than we had at the same time last year.  Our budgeted dues revenue has exceeded our projects, but our market share of 54.7% has not yet reached our 60% goal.  A new membership recruitment campaign was launched by AOA staff in January to show non-members the services we offer, and the several marketing campaigns will be added this year to educate all DOs about important changes on the horizon.  We are looking inward, too, striving to be the best professional organization and respond to our members’ feedback and concerns.  What can we do to serve you better?​

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February 22
Join AOA Webinar on 2012 CPT Coding Changes
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:30 PM

Once again, all DOs are invited and encouraged to join an upcoming AOA webinar to learn about upcoming changes to CPT coding.  The webinar, titled “2012 CPT Coding Update – Learn What’s New and What It All Means To You,” will be held on 3/1/12 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.  Judith O’Connell, DO, and Robert Goldberg, DO, the AOA’s Advisors to the AMA CPT Editorial Panel, will discuss the latest format changes to the CPT code book, changes to the OMT codes, and other important code changes.  The AOIA anticipates that the AOA Council on Continuing Medical Education will approve this program for one AOA Category 1-A CME credit. (The AOIA, or American Osteopathic Information Association, is an AOA-accredited CME sponsor.)  Register today​! 

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February 22
HHS Final Regulation on Consumer Health Plan Language
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:29 PM

The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury recently published final regulations to assist consumers in better understanding what their health plan covers, any limitations or conditions that may apply, and what consumers and patients are financially responsible for toward their medical care.  The new rules require health insurers to eliminate technical or confusing language that may prevent consumers from understanding what they are purchasing from their marketing materials. The new rules also will make it easier for individuals and employers to compare directly one plan to another by ensuring consumers have access to two key documents to assist them in understanding and evaluating competing health insurance choices: A short Summary of Benefits and Coverage and a uniform glossary of commonly used terms. For more information on the rules, visit HealthCare.gov​. 

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February 22
AOA Fact for the Day
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:29 PM

Did you know…that the AOA Bureau of Hospitals (BOH), a collaborative group of representatives from many hospitals accredited by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program and/or home to OGME programs, has 74 member facilities?  The BOH provides its members with an enhanced role in AOA policy and advocacy as well as better communications with colleagues and the profession. Members are hospital presidents or CEOs, and the BOH Chair, Paul LaCasse, DO, serves as an advisor to the AOA Board of Trustees. Contact the BOH for membership info and access: (800) 962-9008 or BureauofHospitals@osteopathic.org. ​

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February 22
Health Policy Notes
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 5:28 PM

HealthLeaders Media reported on 2/22/12 that the average per capita cost of health care services covered by Medicare programs and commercial insurance grew by 5.28 % in 2011, nearly double the rate of inflation in the larger economy, Standard & Poor's Healthcare Economic Indices show.

Relatedly, the 3/16/12 Baltimore Sun reported that Medicare is spending more money every year per person, and each obese beneficiary tacks on an extra $149 per year to that increase due to added expenses for chronic conditions associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. 

The number of deaths from hepatitis C is on the rise, and new CDC data show that “baby boomers” (those born between 1945 and 1965) are the most at risk, currently accounting for two-thirds of people diagnosed with hepatitis C. 

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February 21
President Levine Visits TCOM Students 
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/21/2012 5:27 PM
Category: Education; Family

AOA President Martin S. Levine, DO, MPH, traveled to the campus of the University of North Texas Health Science Center—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) today to meet with TCOM osteopathic medical students and faculty.  This morning President Levine gave a presentation to first- and second-year students on “thinking osteopathically” before meeting with Student Osteopathic Medical Association representatives and other student leaders.  Having AOA leadership visiting osteopathic colleges creates a touchstone for students with the highest levels of the AOA family and strengthens their bond to the AOA family.  He then met with Scott Ransom, DO, TCOM President and UNTHSC Provost, to discuss Dr. Ransom’s efforts to start an MD school on the TCOM campus. ​

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February 21
Osteopathic Congressman Talks to AOA Members
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/21/2012 5:26 PM
Category: Advocacy; Family

The AOA and the Advocates for the AOA co-hosted a “Conversation with U.S. Representative Joe Heck, DO (R-NV)” via conference call today.  All DOs (joined by all AOA staff members listening in at AOA offices in Chicago and Washington, DC) were invited to participate in the call and hear firsthand from the only osteopathic physician serving in the U.S. Congress.  Dr. Heck talked about what’s going on in Congress and what he expects to see over the next year.  Most discussions on the Floor center on improving the U.S. economy and ways to stimulate job growth.  They hope to tackle these issues by reigning in spending and controlling debt. However, this is hard to reconcile sometimes when people out of work need social services that are facing cuts, like Medicaid.  Still, Congressman Heck believes that Congress has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to repeal the SGR using funds previously designated for the ramping down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Congressman Heck invited all DOs who will participate in DO Day on Capital Hill on 3/8/12 or visit Washington, DC, to stop by his office and say hello. ​

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February 21
Osteopathic Medicine in the News
by  John CrosbyNo presence information  on 2/21/2012 5:25 PM

AOA Trustee Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, an AOA board-certified internist, is quoted in an article on the Men’s Health website, “13 Things to Ditch Before You’re 30.”​ In the article, Dr. Giaimo explains why avoiding the doctor can be harmful for your health. He also stresses the importance of regular physicals to help prevent chronic disease in the future. In other media news, MDNews.com, the website of a business-to-business publication about the medical industry, posted an article about the osteopathic match. The article mentions how osteopathic medical students are stepping up to fill the potential shortage of primary care physicians as family medicine continues to be the largest matched specialty.

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 About this blog

 

Welcome to the AOA Daily Report Blog, the online archive of all AOA Daily Reports. This forum allows AOA and public members to comment on individual items, engage in discussion, and converse with Executive Director John B. Crosby, JD. I welcome and value your comments. Please note that I do not respond to anonymous comments.