Georgia Society, American College of Surgeons: 2014

Now is the time to put as much pressure on Congress as we can to pass The SGR Repeal and Medicare Payment Modernization Act (H.R. 4015/S. 2000) this year, as leaders in both the House and Senate have not yet committed to holding a vote on this critical legislation. We must keep the pressure on Senators and Representatives to ensure leaders in both chambers make this is a high-priority issue, and bring this legislation to the floor this year. It is OUR job as Advocacy Leaders for the College to make sure this message is widely spread and acted upon.

There is a coordinated effort within the physician community to flood Capitol Hill with phone calls from all specialties pushing action. The reason we are using phone calls instead of emails through the SurgeonsVoice platform is that phone calls add a certain sense of urgency, and coordinated with many other physician societies, lends itself to a shorter term, more immediate strategy. (There will literally be an intern in each office tallying the number of calls on this issue, and the greater the number, the more likely the Representative will quickly take positive action.)

YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED TODAY
We need your urgent help. Using the information below, please call your Representative and Senators and urge them to ensure action is taken immediately to repeal the SGR before Congress adjourns for the year.

BACKGROUND

The physician community continues to urge Congress to pass The SGR Repeal and Medicare Payment Modernization Act (H.R. 4015/S. 2000) this year, however leaders in both the House and Senate have not yet committed to holding a vote on this critical legislation.

Surgeons must keep the pressure on their Senators and Representatives to ensure leaders in both chambers make this is a high-priority issue, and bring this legislation to the floor this year.

INSTRUCTIONS
Please call toll-free 1-877-996-4464 today.

You will be asked to enter your home zip code and will then be connected to your Representative and Senators' offices. Once you are connected, tell them you are a constituent and leave your name, phone number, and address, along with the suggested message below.

PHONE MESSAGE
“As a surgeon and as your constituent, I ask you to urge Congressional leaders to bring to the floor and enact H.R. 4015/S. 2000, The SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014, before the end of this year.”

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CONTACT ACS ADVOCACY STAFF:
Washington Office Phone: 202-337-2701 or Email: ahp@facs.org

Thank you for taking the time to take action on this critical issue. Please encourage your peers and your contacts to do the same.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

3-D Model of Heart May Help Surgeons Fix Defects

Mastectomy Rates Rising Among Women Eligible for Lumpectomy

Docs happier when they can do what they want to do - FierceHealthcare

Attacks on health-care workers, nurses, doctors spark alarm | The Augusta Chronicle

Big doings in state’s booming health IT industry | Georgia Health News

Seniors’ Obesity-Counseling Benefit Goes Largely Unused | Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

American College of Surgeons: 100-Year History of Leading Quality Improvement

About Quality Programs

Meet America’s Top Ebola Doctor | TIME

Some Painkillers Tied to Bleeding Risk in Those With Abnormal Heartbeat

Georgia lawmaker files early medical cannabis bill

Gainesville Times | News from The Associated Press

Exchange workers put priority on Latino outreach | Georgia Health News

Monday, November 17, 2014

CMS Releases 2015 Medicare Fee Schedule Final Rule - Update from ACS Washington Office

Last Friday evening, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which included a provision to transition all 10- and 90-day global codes to 0-day global codes. The transition for 10-day global codes would begin in 2017 and the transition for 90-day global codes would begin in 2018. CMS has not yet developed a methodology for making this transition.

CMS believes a transition to 0-day global codes would:

·         Increase the accuracy of PFS payment by setting payment rates for individual services based more closely on the typical resources used;

·         Avoid potential duplicative or unwarranted payments when a patient receives post-operative care from a different practitioner;

·         Eliminate disparities between the payment for E/M services in the global periods and those furnished individually;

·         Maintain the same-day policy of including pre- and post-operative services in the 0-day global; and

·         Facilitate availability of more accurate data for new payment models and quality research.

ACS Advocacy to Date

Prior to the release of the Final Rule, ACS submitted a detailed comment letter to CMS stressing that CMS should not move forward with this proposal without a comprehensive analysis of the effect it would have on the provision of surgical care, surgical patients, and the surgeons who care for them. Given that this is a wide-ranging proposal affecting well over one-third of all CPT codes, we asserted that CMS should delay its implementation until stakeholders have had sufficient time to comment meaningfully. In the interim, we described and made recommendations on a number of issues that CMS must resolve before moving forward with the proposed policy. These include: (1) CMS’ data accuracy concerns; (2) implementation considerations; and (3) unintended or unknown consequences. ACS also held a conference call with CMS staff to reiterate these concerns and to share the initial results of data analyses that ACS has done to examine the impact of this policy. Our letter and communications with CMS underscored that, above all, ACS is committed to high quality care of the surgical patient.

ACS Advocacy Moving Forward

ACS will continue to oppose the implementation of this policy unless CMS assures that it will not negatively impact patients and can be implemented in a way that properly accounts for the care that surgeons provide.

In the next few months, ACS will take the following steps:

·         Submit comments to the Final Rule to CMS by the December 31 deadline;

·         Develop and implement a legislative strategy;

·         Continue working with a statistician to conduct a data analysis of the impact of this policy on surgeons;

·         Meet with CMS;

·         Coordinate efforts with the surgical coalition;

·         Discuss at the December GSCRC meeting and at the January HPAG meeting;

·         Coordinate with the AMA, AAMC, MGMA, AHA, and other non-surgical groups; and

·         Update ACS Fellows using special emails, NewsScope, the Bulletin, the Advocate, and the ACS website.

Joint Commission: Evidence-based care reaps positive results - FierceHealthcare

What to expect in Year 2 of ACA enrollment | Georgia Health News

Some Hiccups, but Federal Health Exchange Website Is in Good Health - NYTimes.com

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Guidelines Aim to Reduce 2nd Surgeries After Breast Cancer Lumpectomy

Medicaid expansion slashes hospitals’ uninsured burden

Perry-Appointed Board Backs Health Coverage Expansion | Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Hospital Workers Wash Hands Less at End of Shift, Study Finds

3 ways to put innovation back into medical education - FierceHealthcare

Georgia Regents Medical Center wants 40 years, loan refinance | The Augusta Chronicle

27% of state’s hospitals earn top safety rating | Georgia Health News

More States Expected To Expand Medicaid in 2015 | Kaiser Health News

Monday, November 10, 2014

American College of Surgeons-Ebola Virus Transmission – Resources and News

Ebola Virus Transmission – Resources and News

Skin Cancer Costs Soar Compared to Other Malignancies: CDC

CDC buying more protective gear for hospitals treating Ebola patients - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Local hospital leaders Stuenkel, Quinlivan expect changes to Obamacare - Rome News-Tribune: Business

Latest ACA court case reverberates in Georgia | Georgia Health News

In Surprise Move, Supreme Court Will Examine Key Part Of Health Law | Kaiser Health News

Thursday, November 6, 2014

New Polk Medical Center to open today - : Local

Proposition 46, on medical malpractice awards, fails - LA Times

Medical Errors Drop When Docs Communicate Better at Shift Changes

Republican Gubernatorial Victories Make Medicaid Expansion Unlikely In 5 States | Kaiser Health News

Voters Provide Mixed Messages On Health Ballot Measures | Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Combo Treatment for Advanced Melanoma Seems to Improve Survival

Functional medicine: A new model of care? - FierceHealthcare

Big Medicine can lead to big monopolies - FierceHealthcare

Medicare readmissions penalties will hurt COPD patients, teaching hospitals - FierceHealthcare

Columbus Regional to eliminate 219 jobs, includes 99 layoffs | Business | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

GOP Wins All Statewide Posts; Perdue, Deal Win Without Runoffs | WABE 90.1 FM

Suit claims WellCare improperly pocketed funds | Georgia Health News

Obama Administration Closing Health Law Loophole For Plans Without Hospitalization | Kaiser Health News

Monday, November 3, 2014

Weight-Loss Surgery Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Shows

Two Virginia hospitals first to receive infection risk certification - FierceHealthcare

Longer hospital stay equals lower mortality, fewer readmissions - FierceHealthcare

Friday, October 31, 2014

Hospital business to dwindle as patients become consumers - FierceHealthcare

State takes action on Blue Cross contracts | Georgia Health News

Insurers have big plans for 2015 Obamacare enrollment | Reuters

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Very Special Delivery: Unused U.S. Surgical Supplies

Less Competition Among Docs = Higher Medical Costs, Study Says

Augusta VA director to resign | The Augusta Chronicle

Why hospitals should look for docs with social skills - FierceHealthcare

CDC issues new Ebola guidance for ED workers - FierceHealthcare

States ask Congress to intervene on drug prices : Special

With Good Hospital Practices, Emory Rises To Ebola Challenge | Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

CDC Clarifies Treatment Policies for Ebola Workers

Aetna Boosts Profit Forecast as Health Enrollment Climbs - Bloomberg

Some doctors wary of taking insurance exchange patients

Obamacare remains top issue in Georgia insurance... | www.ajc.com

Monday, October 27, 2014

Prescription Painkillers Fueling Overdose Cases in ERs, Study Finds

Ebola Watch: APIC calls on hospitals to reassess infection control practices - FierceHealthcare

Ebola ‘hot zone’ immigrants numerous in ATL area | Georgia Health News

Obama getting mixed news on Medicaid expansions

Medicaid expansion finds red-state allies | www.myajc.com

Leading by example: Patient experience the Cleveland Clinic way - FierceHealthcare

Ebola Watch: APIC calls on hospitals to reassess infection control practices - FierceHealthcare

Eastside Medical Center names new CEO | Gwinnett Daily Post

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Phoebe Sumter gets new CEO | Albany Herald

Is Georgia’s medical access law too weak? | Georgia Health News

Leadership alert: Physicians feel overwhelmed, unheard - FierceHealthcare

Pete Stark: Law Regulating Doctors Mostly Helped Lawyers - Washington Wire - WSJ

Doctors Still Profit From Medicare Referrals Despite Law | Kaiser Health News

Hospitals’ Struggles To Beat Back Familiar Infections Began Before Ebola Arrived | Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

ACA requires new choices for 2015 | www.myajc.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

CDC Tightens Rules on Caring for Ebola Patients

Poll: Majority Of Americans Worried About U.S. Ebola Outbreak : Shots - Health News : NPR

New doctors site rates for experience, quality

More Plans Setting Spending Limits For Some Medical Services - Kaiser Health News

Monday, October 20, 2014

Apply now for 2016 ANZ, Germany, Japan traveling fellowships | The Bulletin

MOC review course offered at Clinical Congress | The Bulletin

In memoriam: Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, remembered for his enduring contributions to the ACS | The Bulletin

Leading gastroenterology practices announce formation of digestive health physicians association - Medical News Today

A four-step approach to expand graduate medical education - FierceHealthcare

Public health chief to lead state’s Ebola team | Georgia Health News

Obama appoints "Ebola czar" - FierceHealthcare

Ebola: Legal implications for hospitals, healthcare workers - FierceHealthcare

Peake’s new medical marijuana proposal taking shape | State Legislature | Macon.com

Emory Learns Lessons Treating Ebola Patients | WABE 90.1 FM

Deal forming response team for potential Ebola risk | Georgia Health News

Gov. Nathan Deal and Jason Carter on the top issues | www.myajc.com

CDC director’s challenge: Deadly Ebola virus and outbreak of criticism - The Washington Post

Physician assistant roles growing | www.ajc.com

Friday, October 17, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Older Antibiotic Still Works Against Staph Infections, Study Finds

Obama Considers Naming an 'Ebola Czar'

Intolerance of failure blamed for epidemic of overtreatment - FierceHealthcare

Medical tourism gains steam among Americans - FierceHealthcare

California hospital shuts down ORs after patient infections - FierceHealthcare

CDC's Tom Frieden to face Congress as two representatives call for his resignation - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Health data thefts a continuing problem | Georgia Health News

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Nearly 1 in 20 Cancer Patients Die Within Month of Surgery: Study

Are U.S. Hospitals Prepared for Ebola?

Healthy Lifestyle May Boost Breast Cancer Survival

Gains reported in war against post-surgical pain - FierceHealthcare

CDC outlines new Ebola protocol with rapid response teams - FierceHealthcare

Memorial, Mercer break ground on medical school expansion | savannahnow.com

Kaiser Permanente names new Georgia president - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Latest Ebola-infected nurse headed to Emory | Georgia Health News

Spike in ER, Hospitalization Use Short-Lived After Medicaid Expansion – Capsules - The KHN Blog

How the new HealthCare.gov stacks up with the old | www.ajc.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

In breast reconstruction, equation helps assess blood flow to flaps - Medical News Today

Smoking-Related Illnesses in U.S. Total 14 Million, Report Finds

Dallas hospital defends treatment of Ebola patient - FierceHealthcare

Monday, October 13, 2014

Chewing Gum Before Surgery Safe: Report

Anesthesia Complications Drop by Half, Study Finds

Anesthetic During Breast-Removal Surgery May Reduce Long-Term Pain

Texas Hospital Worker Tests Positive for Ebola

Heavy antibiotic use in acute care facilities could lead to drug-resistant infections - FierceHealthcare

Pharma Sues Again Over Orphan Drug Discounts to Hospitals - Pharmalot - WSJ

Burwell Meets The Press: Managing Expectations On Ebola, Healthcare.gov, ACA Year 2 – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Woman's Thyroid Tumor Yields Clues on How to Battle Cancer

Nurse-led intervention program didn't improvement readmission rates or reduce ER visits - FierceHealthcare

Memorial seeks dismissal of federal lawsuits, call it "fundamentally untrue" | savannahnow.com

One U.S. Hospital's Strategy For Stopping Ebola's Advance : Shots - Health News : NPR

Atlanta airport, 4 others to screen travelers for Ebola | Georgia Health News

Hearing officer determines Certificate of Need law applies to any divestiture of Phoebe North | Albany Herald

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Tobacco Tied to Higher Risk of Oral HPV Infection, Study Finds

Hospitals' High Antibiotic Use May Boost Germs' Resistance: Study

Ovarian Cancer DNA Detected in Vaginal Fluid, Researchers Report

No more good ol' boy network for hospital boards - FierceHealthcare

Medical Schools Aim to Better Prepare New Doctors for Residency - US News

Mass. Becomes First State To Require Price Tags For Health Care | CommonHealth

Officials Question the Rising Costs of Generic Drugs - NYTimes.com

Will map of ACA enrollment look different in 2015? | Georgia Health News

Study: Robotic Surgery More Costly For Ovarian Problems – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Many Medicare Outpatients Pay More At Rural Hospitals, Federal Report Says - Kaiser Health News

Wal-Mart plans 1-stop health coverage shopping | www.ajc.com

Monday, October 6, 2014

More Women Having Reconstruction Surgery After Breast Cancer Treatment

Steep Drops in Weight May Raise Risks After Body-Contour Surgeries

Next stage of ACO evolution: Bundled payments - FierceHealthcare

More hospitals seek upfront payments from patients - FierceHealthFinance - Health Finance, Healthcare Finance

Financial Ties Between Doctors and Health Care Firms Are Detailed - NYTimes.com

Canceled Health Plans: Round Two - Kaiser Health News

Obamacare Enrollment: Second Year An Even Tougher Challenge - Kaiser Health News

Georgia board licenses doctors other states won’t | www.myajc.com

In North Carolina, a different attitude | www.myajc.com

Medical board’s ‘trust system’ lets doctors limit online... | www.myajc.com

Thursday, October 2, 2014

GRU tackles Ebola issues | The Augusta Chronicle

Narrow networks: Many upset as insurers exclude favorite providers | Georgia Health News

Ebola patient was allowed to leave Dallas hospital last week - The Washington Post

Medicare Fines 2,610 Hospitals In Third Round Of Readmission Penalties - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Narrow networks: Many upset as insurers exclude favorite providers | Georgia Health News

Oncologists' Group Calls for Measures to Curb Obesity-Related Cancers

'High-Intensity' Hospitals Save More Elderly After Surgery: Study

4 mistakes hospitals make in the search for partnerships - FierceHealthcare

Medicaid fee funds preserved after brief scare | Georgia Health News

UnitedHealth to buy doctor management company MedSynergies | Reuters

Doctors Find Barriers to Sharing Digital Medical Records - NYTimes.com

Many Rural Hospitals Are Excluded From Government's Push For Better Quality - Kaiser Health News

As Payments Database Debuts, Doctors Urge Caution - Kaiser Health News

Monday, September 29, 2014

Doctors' Group Issues Painkiller Guidelines

Rural hospitals left behind in push for accountability - FierceHealthcare

Marcus Foundation gives big gift to Grady | Georgia Health News

Doctors: EHRs a good idea that needs improvement | Georgia Health News

Should you be able to see any doctor you want? - The Washington Post

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Post-operative pain leads to less sleep, longer hospital stays - FierceHealthcare

Hospital, BlueCross still negotiating insurance contract

Personal Attention Seen As Antidote To Rising Health Costs - Kaiser Health News

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Varicose Vein Treatments All Work, but Aren't Quite Equal

Common Painkillers Tied to Blood Clot Risk, Study Suggests

Blood Test Might Predict Speed of Recovery From Surgery: Study

U.S. hospital chain HCA must face class action over 2011 IPO | Reuters

Administration Says Hospitals Will Save $5.7B From Unpaid Bills Due To Health Law - Kaiser Health News

Higher health insurance deductibles giving workers pain | www.myajc.com

China fines GlaxoSmithKline $492M for bribery | www.ajc.com

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Clearside Biomedical raises $16M to fund clinical trial - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Expert: Hospitals have to change to survive | Rockdale Citizen

What Nunn, Perdue have to say on rural care crisis | Georgia Health News

F.T.C. Wary of Mergers by Hospitals - NYTimes.com

When A Hospital Closes - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Researchers Discover How Bacteria Resist Antibiotics in Hospitals

Patients take on more health care costs, struggle to find prices | www.ajc.com

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

U.S. Waistlines Keep Growing, With Women Leading the Way

Deaths From Narcotic Painkillers Quadrupled in Past Decade: CDC

Marketing technique hospitals can use to improve patient satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Newton Medical seeking health care partner | Rockdale Citizen

Frustrated AMA Calls For ‘Action Plan’ On Digital Records – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Monday, September 15, 2014

Value-based model could improve hospital performance 30% - FierceHealthcare

Another important change in state benefit plan | Georgia Health News

How states have gamed Medicaid for hundreds of millions of dollars - The Washington Post

Thursday, September 11, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

78% of hospitals prescribe unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotics - FierceHealthcare

Physician "culture of perfection" keeps medical errors high - FierceHealthcare

Parents plead for cannabis oil during Macon hearing | Local & State | Macon.com

You're Being Observed In The Hospital? Patients With Private Insurance Better Off Than Seniors - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Reexamined Clinical Trials Can Point to New Conclusions

CMS updates short-term hospital claims settlement details - FierceHealthcare

New Option For Getting Rid Of Old Drugs: The Pharmacy : Shots - Health News : NPR

Americans Still Not Sold on Obamacare – WSJ/NBC Poll - Washington Wire - WSJ

Study: Rise in ER visits after Medicaid expansion | www.ajc.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

US hospitals have highest administrative spending costs in the world - FierceHealthcare

Has rare enterovirus strain arrived in Georgia? | Georgia Health News

Why Declining Medicaid Costs States Money

Monday, September 8, 2014

Bariatric Surgical Center Accreditation Linked to Improved Rates of Patient Survival and Fewer Postoperative Complications

CMS reverses decision, will publish hospital error data - FierceHealthcare

Risk of drug-resistant infections increases 1% for each day in hospital - FierceHealthcare

State: 82 hospitals fined for unwarranted readmissions - Chicago Sun-Times

Rural Enrollment Presents Continuing Health Law Challenges - Kaiser Health News

Sunday, September 7, 2014

It’s official: Phoebe settlement is off | Georgia Health News

Obesity rates reach historic highs in more U.S. states | Reuters

Uninformed breast cancer patients more apt to consider removing the other breast, too | Reuters

Obamacare's Medicaid Expansion Is Windfall for Hospitals - Businessweek

JAMA Network | JAMA Internal Medicine | Use of Medical Consultants for Hospitalized Surgical Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Friday, September 5, 2014

Pain management scores rise moderately, leave room for improvement - FierceHealthcare

$73M WellStar health park to open Sept. 15 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Report: Georgia No. 18 for adult obesity (LIST OF STATES RANKED BY OBESITY) - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Piedmont affiliates with Conyers hospital | Georgia Health News

Replacing An Ambulance With A Station Wagon - Kaiser Health News

Democrats borrow a GOP idea on health care costs | www.ajc.com

Thursday, September 4, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

AHA supports proposed Medicare anti-fraud and abuse legislation, suggests improvements - FierceHealthcare

A (big) new brand in Georgia health care | Georgia Health News

Indiana, Several Other States Look To Expand Medicaid Next Year – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Health Care Spending Forecast To Increase Modestly In Next Decade - Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

'Doctor-Shopping' for Painkillers Common After Broken-Bone Surgery, Study Finds

CMS releases first Qualified Entity report on provider performance - FierceHealthcare

GBI Study: Prescription drug laws lowering overdose deaths | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Another insurance deadline only days away | Georgia Health News

Pennsylvania’s Republican governor expands Medicaid - The Washington Post

Beware Of Higher Charges If You Go To An Out-Of-Network Emergency Room - Kaiser Health News

States To Help Pay Obamacare Tax On Insurers - Kaiser Health News

Thursday, August 28, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Polyp Removal Doesn't Always Signal Raised Colon Cancer Risk, Study Says

MERS Virus Doesn't Seem to Spread Easily, Study Finds

Hospitals must identify disruptive behavior, encourage etiquette-based medicine - FierceHealthcare

Nonprofit Hospitals’ 2013 Revenue Lowest Since Recession, Report Says - NYTimes.com

One-third of Medicaid applicants still in limbo | www.myajc.com

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Study Questions Value of Certain Knee Surgeries

Study: Aspirin Might Work Instead of Warfarin for Deep Vein Clots

Strategic hospital room design hastens patient recovery, minimizes staff errors - FierceHealthcare

Medical marijuana benefits: Lower death, overdose rates in states that legalize drug - FierceHealthcare

Adolescents who use e-cigarettes are much more likely to try tobacco, CDC says - The Washington Post

Freestanding ERs target suburbs, rural panel told | Georgia Health News

Monday, August 25, 2014

ACS: Sept 1 Deadline for 2015–2017 Resident Research Scholarships

September 1 Deadline for 2015–2017 Resident Research Scholarships

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

JAMA Network | JAMA Surgery | Effect of Minimally Invasive Surgery on the Risk for Surgical Site Infections: Results From the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database

Who Has a Right to Pain Relief? - The Atlantic

E-Cigarettes Should Be Regulated Like Tobacco: American Heart Association

The 3 Ps of patient experience - FierceHealthcare

Patient satisfaction may not correlate with care quality - FierceHealthcare

Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County updated on financials, student housing | Albany Herald

Hotline helps connect Georgians to benefits | Georgia Health News

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Identifying and curbing surgical risk - Medical News Today

Botox Tested on Stomach Cancer in Mice

Older, sicker minority patients more likely to die after urological surgery - FierceHealthcare

A county’s difficult question: How to save its local hospital? | Georgia Health News

CMS Temporarily Suspends Open Payments System

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Hospital Discharge a Key Time to Help Smokers Quit

The power of art: Hospitals use paintings, sculptures to improve patient health, satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Athens Regional names interim CEO | Online Athens

Emory St. Joseph's names new CEO - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Audit: 'Obamacare' tax not meeting revenue target - Yahoo Finance

Monday, August 18, 2014

The Marietta Daily Journal - In with the new Northside Hospital in talks to purchase land in east Cobb

Key activist group sees flaws in state health plan | Georgia Health News

CMS delays release of some doctor records on transparency website | TheHill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.: Governors tout benefits of Medicaid expansion | State | Kentucky.com

Hospitals Reconsider Charity For Patients Who Decline Health Coverage - Kaiser Health News

In Study, Questions About Who Should Perform In-Office Surgeries - Kaiser Health News

Sunday, August 17, 2014

More Employers Moving to High-Deductible Health Plans

State health plan choices for 2015 draw praise | Georgia Health News

Wide Variation In Hospital Charges For Blood Tests Called ‘Irrational’ – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Government Streamlining Medicare Coverage For Cancer Test - Kaiser Health News

With Health Law, ERs Still Packed - Kaiser Health News

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Painkillers May Halve Risk of Breast Cancer Return in Obese Women: Study

Hospitals must screen for superbugs like CRE or face deadly consequences - FierceHealthcare

No health rate increases for many teachers, state workers,... | www.ajc.com

New Technique Protects Tissue Transplant From Rejection: Study

40 Percent of Americans Will Develop Diabetes, CDC Projects

WellStar launches WellStar Cobb Hospital Cancer Center - Atlanta Business Chronicle

States spent nearly $31 billion on employee health insurance last year - The Washington Post

Hospitals Seek To Help Consumers With Obamacare Premiums - Kaiser Health News

Insurer WellPoint plans name change to Anthem | www.ajc.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

GOP eyes ObamaCare votes if Senate flips | TheHill

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

FDA Approves Highly Accurate At-Home Colon Cancer Test

Emory Hospital CEO: Moral obligation to treat American Ebola patients - FierceHealthcare

Emory University Hospital CEO explains why he chose to accept... | www.wsbtv.com

Medicaid increase, uninsured data show Ga. impact | Georgia Health News

Monday, August 11, 2014

Frequent Heartburn Increases Risk Of Throat Cancer By 78% - Medical News Today

For dysplastic Barrett's esophagus, radiofreqeuncy ablation and complete endoscopic resection equally effective - Medical News Today

U.S. Lung Cancer Rates Falling Overall, Study Finds

Standalone emergency rooms grow, but face backlash - FierceHealthcare

Progress At VA Hospital Is Slow, Despite Changes

Doctors Inside Emory’s Ebola Unit Speak Out | TIME

Sunday, August 10, 2014

2014 Clinical Congress | American College of Surgeons

Insurance Status May Affect Cancer Outcome: Study

$5.25M upgrade coming to Children's Hospital | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

'Conflict of interest' doctor database unplugged | TheHill

Reform Update: Exchanges need better tech or better info on narrow networks, experts say | Modern Healthcare

Thursday, August 7, 2014

New Cancer Classification System Might Boost Patient Outcomes

Gains from pay-for-performance don't last - FierceHealthcare

Physicians question safety of medical auction site - FierceHealthIT

Fight for a stronger, healthier Georgia | www.myajc.com

Obama signs veterans' health care overhaul | www.ajc.com

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

CMS limits public access to hospital error data - FierceHealthcare

Some unconventional health advice: Maybe you need a vacation | Georgia Health News

Ebola: Emory gets chance to save lives, educate | Georgia Health News

Survey: Insurance Rates Lag In Health Law Holdout States – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

In Memoriam: Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS

Nearby ED closures increase risk of inpatient death - FierceHealthcare

AHA wants court to dismiss government's two-midnight rule challenge - FierceHealthcare

CMS issues final Medicare payment rule - FierceHealthcare

Community Health paying $98M to settle US claims - The Washington Post

Patients Seeking Cheaper Care Are Soliciting Bids From Doctors Online - Kaiser Health News

Atlanta Medical Center among accused hospitals | www.myajc.com

Monday, August 4, 2014

Habersham hospital deal loses momentum

Time of change — and crisis — in the hospital world | Georgia Health News

U.S. hospitals get lift from surge in Medicaid sign-ups | Reuters

A Doctor's Perspective On Obamacare Plans - Kaiser Health News

Congress sends VA overhaul to White House | www.ajc.com

Justice Dept seeks appeal in health overhaul case | www.ajc.com

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Report Touches Off Fight Over Future Of Doctor Training Program - Kaiser Health News

GSACS Meeting Approved for Self Assessment CME!

The Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting on August 23-24, 2014 at the beautiful King and Prince Beach Resort on St. Simons Island, GA has been approved for 9 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Of the AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ listed above, 5.5 credits meet the requirements for Self-Assessment.

Don’t miss the surgical education event of the year! Make your hotel reservations by FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 to take advantage of the GSACS special rates

Room rates are:

$195 Oceanfront

$180 Partial Ocean view

$165 Resort view

Make your hotel reservations online at http://www.kingandprince.com/group-reservations.aspx and use the code GSACS14 (case sensitive) or call 912.638.3631.

The agenda is packed with relevant presentations! Register online at http://georgiaacs.org/calendar/annual-meeting/register/

Saturday, August 23^rd (5.5 CME credits total)

·         State of the ACS: 1 CME credit

·         Laparoscopic Management of the Tough Gallbladder: 1*

·         Resident General Surgery Abstract Presentations: 1*

·         The Surgeon As Leader: 1

·         Current Management of Melanoma: 0.75*

·         Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols: 0.75*

Sunday, August 24^th (3.5 CME credits total)

·         Value Based Purchasing…: 0.5

·         Prophylactic Contralateral Mastectomy: 1*

·         Update on NSQIP: 0.5

·         Resident Trauma Abstract Presentations: 0.5

·         Rib Plating for Traumatic Injury: 1*

Pages

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Monday, December 1, 2014

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Monday, November 24, 2014

CALL 1-877-996-4464 TODAY! The SGR Repeal and Medicare Payment Modernization Act

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Monday, November 17, 2014

CMS Releases 2015 Medicare Fee Schedule Final Rule - Update from ACS Washington Office

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Monday, November 3, 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

CALL 1-877-996-4464 TODAY!

The SGR Repeal and Medicare Payment Modernization Act