Monday, March 31, 2014

Late effort to advance permanent SGR fix fails in Senate | Modern Healthcare

Late effort to advance permanent SGR fix fails in Senate | Modern Healthcare

Reputation still skews hospital assessments - FierceHealthcare

Reputation still skews hospital assessments - FierceHealthcare

Docs would accept payment cuts to force permanent SGR repeal - FierceHealthcare

Docs would accept payment cuts to force permanent SGR repeal - FierceHealthcare

Letter to Editor: Gov. Deal’s views incorrect | Georgia Health News

Letter to Editor: Gov. Deal’s views incorrect | Georgia Health News

Athens’ medical discount plan in limbo | Georgia Health News

Athens’ medical discount plan in limbo | Georgia Health News

What Happens Next On The Health Law? - Kaiser Health News

What Happens Next On The Health Law? - Kaiser Health News

Q&A: Status update as health law marks a milestone | www.ajc.com

Q&A: Status update as health law marks a milestone | www.ajc.com

Morning Break: SGR 'Power-Play' Means Claim Processing Delay

Morning Break: SGR 'Power-Play' Means Claim Processing Delay

Weight-Loss Surgery Cuts Risk for Heart Attack, Death: Study

Weight-Loss Surgery Cuts Risk for Heart Attack, Death: Study

Sullivan discusses health museum, ACA expansion | Georgia Health News

Sullivan discusses health museum, ACA expansion | Georgia Health News

Hospitals chart ways to boost care, funding under ACA

Hospitals chart ways to boost care, funding under ACA

Hospitals Plot the End of Insurance Companies | The Fiscal Times

Hospitals Plot the End of Insurance Companies | The Fiscal Times

How Atlanta’s hospital chiefs earn their millions | www.myajc.com

How Atlanta’s hospital chiefs earn their millions | www.myajc.com

Goals and incentives for Atlanta’s nonprofit hospital CEOs | www.myajc.com

Goals and incentives for Atlanta’s nonprofit hospital CEOs | www.myajc.com

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Save the Date 2014 Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting August 22-24, 2014

GSACS | Home

Olens asking feds to overturn approval of new drug - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Olens asking feds to overturn approval of new drug - Atlanta Business Chronicle

FTC reviewing proposed Phoebe/Hospital Authority settlement | Albany Herald

FTC reviewing proposed Phoebe/Hospital Authority settlement | Albany Herald

‘Navigator’ sees rising interest in ACA enrollment | Georgia Health News

‘Navigator’ sees rising interest in ACA enrollment | Georgia Health News

House passes controversial doc-fix patch bill; measure moves to Senate | Modern Healthcare

House passes controversial doc-fix patch bill; measure moves to Senate | Modern Healthcare

Weight-Loss Surgery: It's Not Just About Stomach Size

Weight-Loss Surgery: It's Not Just About Stomach Size

Medicare 'doc-fix' bill elicits grumbling, but swift passage likely | Modern Healthcare

Medicare 'doc-fix' bill elicits grumbling, but swift passage likely | Modern Healthcare

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Resident work-hour limits may increase patient complications - FierceHealthcare

Resident work-hour limits may increase patient complications - FierceHealthcare

BREAKING: House readies for short-term SGR fix - FierceHealthcare

BREAKING: House readies for short-term SGR fix - FierceHealthcare

Georgia enrollment edges up; feds relax deadline | Georgia Health News

Georgia enrollment edges up; feds relax deadline | Georgia Health News

Georgia lags behind U.S. on cleaning up hospital infections | www.myajc.com

Georgia lags behind U.S. on cleaning up hospital infections | www.myajc.com

House 'doc-fix' bill delays ICD-10 by at least a year | Modern Healthcare

House 'doc-fix' bill delays ICD-10 by at least a year | Modern Healthcare

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Targeted Radiation Might Help Fight Advanced Breast Cancer: Study

Targeted Radiation Might Help Fight Advanced Breast Cancer: Study

Many Don't Understand Obamacare or Health Insurance, Survey Finds

Many Don't Understand Obamacare or Health Insurance, Survey Finds

The Marietta Daily Journal - Residents weigh in on Kennestone ER expansion

The Marietta Daily Journal - Residents weigh in on Kennestone ER expansion

Gov. Deal Could Use Executive Powers for Child Welfare Privatization Pilot | WABE 90.1 FM

Gov. Deal Could Use Executive Powers for Child Welfare Privatization Pilot | WABE 90.1 FM

More than 1 million in Georiga underinsured | The Augusta Chronicle

More than 1 million in Georiga underinsured | The Augusta Chronicle

Healthcare Georgia Foundation Election Guide

‎www.healthcaregeorgia.org/uploads/files/2014%20Senate_Election_Guide_.pdf

Most states score poorly on price transparency | Modern Healthcare

Most states score poorly on price transparency | Modern Healthcare

Monday, March 24, 2014

Political Hurdles Remain for SGR Repeal

March 14, 2014 ACS NewsScope | American College of Surgeons

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

Medical amnesty bill awaits governor’s signature

Medical amnesty bill awaits governor’s signature

Congress confronts Medicare cuts to doctors' fees - Yahoo Finance

Congress confronts Medicare cuts to doctors' fees - Yahoo Finance

Draft Rules Would Help Protect Seniors When Medicare Advantage Plans Drop Doctors - Kaiser Health News

Draft Rules Would Help Protect Seniors When Medicare Advantage Plans Drop Doctors - Kaiser Health News

HOT TOPICS: Hospital-Owned Practices
(Post Date: 3/24/14)

HOT TOPICS: Hospital-Owned Practices<br>(Post Date: 3/24/14)

Sunday, March 23, 2014

ERs Dispensing More Narcotic Painkillers: Study

ERs Dispensing More Narcotic Painkillers: Study

3 ways hospitals can reduce patient suffering - FierceHealthcare

3 ways hospitals can reduce patient suffering - FierceHealthcare

Cost for proposed SGR repeal now at more than $180M - FierceHealthcare

Cost for proposed SGR repeal now at more than $180M - FierceHealthcare

Big Drop In Colon Cancer Fuels Push To Get More People Screened : Shots - Health News : NPR

Big Drop In Colon Cancer Fuels Push To Get More People Screened : Shots - Health News : NPR

WellStar set to launch new Paulding Hospital (SLIDESHOW) - Atlanta Business Chronicle

WellStar set to launch new Paulding Hospital (SLIDESHOW) - Atlanta Business Chronicle

What bills made the cut in Georgia’s 2014 legislative session? | www.ajc.com

What bills made the cut in Georgia’s 2014 legislative session? | www.ajc.com

Some of the Legislature’s work could put Deal on defensive | www.myajc.com

Some of the Legislature’s work could put Deal on defensive | www.myajc.com

The Georgia Republican who has endorsed Medicaid expansion | www.ajc.com

The Georgia Republican who has endorsed Medicaid expansion | www.ajc.com

Session over, Georgia lawmakers head into primary elections | www.myajc.com

Session over, Georgia lawmakers head into primary elections | www.myajc.com

Friday, March 21, 2014

March 31 Deadline to Claim CME Credit for 2013 Clinical Congress

March 31 Deadline to Claim CME Credit 

for 2013 Clinical Congress


The deadline to claim continuing medical education (CME) credit for participation in the American College of Surgeons’ 2013 Clinical Congress is March 31, 2014. CME credit is offered for the following sessions: Named Lectures, Panel Sessions, Surgical Forums, Scientific Paper Sessions, Video-Based Education Sessions, Skills-Oriented Postgraduate Courses, Didactic Postgraduate Courses, and Meet-the-Expert Luncheons. For more information regarding CME credit earned at the Clinical Congress sessions, contact the My CME Program at 866-918-4799 or at mycme@facs.org.

Gov. Deal launches plan to help rural hospitals - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Gov. Deal launches plan to help rural hospitals - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Drive hospital bottom line with culture of kindness, compassion - FierceHealthcare

Drive hospital bottom line with culture of kindness, compassion - FierceHealthcare

Medical marijuana bill falls short | www.ajc.com

Medical marijuana bill falls short | www.ajc.com

Lawmakers pass sweeping gun bill

Lawmakers pass sweeping gun bill

Push to privatize foster care, adoptions fails

Push to privatize foster care, adoptions fails

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Physician-hospital consolidation reduces quality of care - FierceHealthcare

Physician-hospital consolidation reduces quality of care - FierceHealthcare

Docs, APNs clash on state scope of practice measures - FierceHealthcare

Docs, APNs clash on state scope of practice measures - FierceHealthcare

Ga. Representative giving concessions to help pass medical... | www.wsbtv.com

Ga. Representative giving concessions to help pass medical... | www.wsbtv.com

Deal plan would allow rural mini-hospitals | Georgia Health News

Deal plan would allow rural mini-hospitals | Georgia Health News

Deal plan aims to revive ailing rural hospitals | www.ajc.com

Deal plan aims to revive ailing rural hospitals | www.ajc.com

Legislature: keep Obamacare out of our state | www.ajc.com

Legislature: keep Obamacare out of our state | www.ajc.com

Monday, March 17, 2014

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

Updated SGR repeal legislation likely DOA - FierceHealthcare

Updated SGR repeal legislation likely DOA - FierceHealthcare

The Marietta Daily Journal - Busy finish ahead for Ga s annual legislative session

The Marietta Daily Journal - Busy finish ahead for Ga s annual legislative session

House Passes Payment Fix For Medicare Docs, But At What Cost? : Shots - Health News : NPR

House Passes Payment Fix For Medicare Docs, But At What Cost? : Shots - Health News : NPR

Can Congress Put An End To Annual Medicare Payment Ritual? – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Can Congress Put An End To Annual Medicare Payment Ritual? – Capsules - The KHN Blog

What to expect for Georgia Legislature’s last 2 days | www.ajc.com

What to expect for Georgia Legislature’s last 2 days | www.ajc.com

Lawmaker calls anti-Obamacare bill’s demise ‘betrayal’ | www.ajc.com

Lawmaker calls anti-Obamacare bill’s demise ‘betrayal’ | www.ajc.com

State workers still not satisfied with insurance plan | www.ajc.com

State workers still not satisfied with insurance plan | www.ajc.com

Repeal SGR | Help Advance High Quality, Affordable Health Care

Repeal SGR | Help Advance High Quality, Affordable Health Care

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Political Hurdles Remain for SGR Repeal

Political Hurdles Remain for SGR Repeal

Slightly more than two weeks before Medicare physician payment rates are scheduled to be cut by 24.1 percent, Congress has engaged in political brinkmanship with S.2000/H.R. 4015, the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Act of 2014 (SGR Repeal Act).  By invoking partisan offsets to pay for the sustainable growth rate (SGR) legislation, House Republicans and Senate Democrats have raised the possibility that neither bill will pass in the other chamber.  The American College of Surgeons (ACS) opposes the infusion of politics into the debate, particularly when the process to date has been conducted in a bipartisan, bicameral manner. 

The ACS will continue to push leadership in both chambers to develop bipartisan solutions to ensure that this legislation is enacted and finally puts an end to the SGR. Should both chambers pass their respective bills, the College will urge the immediate appointment of conferees to address the differences in offsets and send the bill to President Obama.
For details about which representative and senators have taken bipartisan action during the yearlong process to repeal the SGR, go towww.repealsgr.org

Lawmakers want to expand physician scholarships | www.wsbtv.com

Lawmakers want to expand physician scholarships | www.wsbtv.com

WellStar and Georgia Tech Research Institute form partnership - Atlanta Business Chronicle

WellStar and Georgia Tech Research Institute form partnership - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Lawmakers Weigh Changes To Medicare - Kaiser Health News

Lawmakers Weigh Changes To Medicare - Kaiser Health News

Bills in play for final days of Georgia Legislature | www.ajc.com

Bills in play for final days of Georgia Legislature | www.ajc.com

‘Franken-bills’ stalk the Georgia Legislature | www.ajc.com

‘Franken-bills’ stalk the Georgia Legislature | www.ajc.com

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Trauma Center Closures Tied to Higher Death Risk for Injured Patients

Trauma Center Closures Tied to Higher Death Risk for Injured Patients

Surgical outcomes study sheds new light on hospital performance measures - FierceHealthcare

Surgical outcomes study sheds new light on hospital performance measures - FierceHealthcare

Surgical safety checklists may not improve patient outcomes after all - FierceHealthcare

Surgical safety checklists may not improve patient outcomes after all - FierceHealthcare

Senate busy reworking health bills | Georgia Health News

Senate busy reworking health bills | Georgia Health News

Memorial holds groundbreaking for expanded emergency room | savannahnow.com

Memorial holds groundbreaking for expanded emergency room | savannahnow.com

Rural areas may get basic-service hospitals | Georgia Health News

Rural areas may get basic-service hospitals | Georgia Health News

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Panel OKs bill to ease access to medical marijuana | Georgia Health News

Panel OKs bill to ease access to medical marijuana | Georgia Health News

Medicaid expansion bill gets new twist | Georgia Health News

Medicaid expansion bill gets new twist | Georgia Health News

March 31 Deadline to Claim CME Credit for 2013 Clinical Congress

March 31 Deadline to Claim CME Credit for 2013 Clinical Congress

The deadline to claim continuing medical education (CME) credit for participation at the American College of Surgeons’ 2013 Clinical Congress is March 31, 2014. CME credit is offered for the following sessions: Named Lectures, Panel Sessions, Surgical Forums, Scientific Paper Sessions, Video-Based Education Sessions, Skills-Oriented Postgraduate Courses, Didactic Postgraduate Courses, and Meet-the-Expert Luncheons. For more information regarding CME credit earned at the Clinical Congress sessions, contact the My CME Program at 866-918-4799 or at mycme@facs.org.

2 Surgeries Work Equally Well for Female Incontinence, Study Finds

2 Surgeries Work Equally Well for Female Incontinence, Study Finds

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

U.S. Could Face Shortage of Cancer Doctors

U.S. Could Face Shortage of Cancer Doctors

Hospitals lack universal plan for drug-resistant bacteria - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals lack universal plan for drug-resistant bacteria - FierceHealthcare

Insurance ‘navigators’ feel like they’re swimming against the tide | Georgia Health News

Insurance ‘navigators’ feel like they’re swimming against the tide | Georgia Health News

Kaiser wins regional satisfaction award | Georgia Health News

Kaiser wins regional satisfaction award | Georgia Health News

Sebelius urges Georgians to sign up for exchange | Georgia Health News

Sebelius urges Georgians to sign up for exchange | Georgia Health News

U.S. cancer doctors urge payment fix as cases set to rise | Reuters

U.S. cancer doctors urge payment fix as cases set to rise | Reuters

GOP Pits Doc Fix vs. Individual Mandate in Obamacare Fight | The Fiscal Times

GOP Pits Doc Fix vs. Individual Mandate in Obamacare Fight | The Fiscal Times

Monday, March 10, 2014

ACS Launches Grassroots Campaign to Repeal SGR | American College of Surgeons

ACS Launches Grassroots Campaign to Repeal SGR | American College of Surgeons

Esophageal and gastric cancer a greater risk in later life for overweight adolescents - Medical News Today

Esophageal and gastric cancer a greater risk in later life for overweight adolescents - Medical News Today

New approach to breast reconstruction surgery reduces opioid painkiller use, hospital stays - Medical News Today

New approach to breast reconstruction surgery reduces opioid painkiller use, hospital stays - Medical News Today

Study Finds Doctors Prescribing More Sedatives

Study Finds Doctors Prescribing More Sedatives

Senate hopefuls spar in Macon | Elections | Macon.com

Senate hopefuls spar in Macon | Elections | Macon.com

Next Step for Smart Phones: Keeping Tabs on Patients - Kaiser Health News

Next Step for Smart Phones: Keeping Tabs on Patients - Kaiser Health News

Survey: Uninsured rate drops; health law cited | www.ajc.com

Survey: Uninsured rate drops; health law cited | www.ajc.com

Sunday, March 9, 2014

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

2014 Leadership Conference and ACS Advocacy Summit | American College of Surgeons

Hospitals can predict high-risk surgical patients, reduce readmissions - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals can predict high-risk surgical patients, reduce readmissions - FierceHealthcare

Pain control tied to patient satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Pain control tied to patient satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Scheduled emergencies: Is lucrative practice emblematic of a bigger problem? - FierceHealthcare

Scheduled emergencies: Is lucrative practice emblematic of a bigger problem? - FierceHealthcare

State senator admits she's holding medical marijuana bill hostage | www.wsbtv.com

State senator admits she's holding medical marijuana bill hostage | www.wsbtv.com

Large Clayton Co. hospital seeks financial relief | Georgia Health News

Large Clayton Co. hospital seeks financial relief | Georgia Health News

Who foots the bill for an Obamacare delay? | Marketplace.org

Who foots the bill for an Obamacare delay? | Marketplace.org

Thousands left in the dark on Medicaid | www.ajc.com

Thousands left in the dark on Medicaid | www.ajc.com

Monday, March 3, 2014

Standards for Optimal Resources Developed for Children’s U.S. Surgical Care | American College of Surgeons

Standards for Optimal Resources Developed for Children’s U.S. Surgical Care | American College of Surgeons

Repeal SGR | Help Advance High Quality, Affordable Health Care

Repeal SGR | Help Advance High Quality, Affordable Health Care

Bill sets up amnesty in drug overdose cases | The Augusta Chronicle

Bill sets up amnesty in drug overdose cases | The Augusta Chronicle

Health bills creating a stir under Dome | Georgia Health News

Health bills creating a stir under Dome | Georgia Health News

Bill targeting Obamacare clears another hurdle | www.ajc.com

Bill targeting Obamacare clears another hurdle | www.ajc.com

Ga. House votes for legalizing medical marijuana | www.ajc.com

Ga. House votes for legalizing medical marijuana | www.ajc.com

Sunday, March 2, 2014

The ACS and Other Physician Groups Send Letter to Congress Supporting SGR Legislation H.R. 4015/S. 2000

‎facs.org/ahp/medicare/surgical-sgr-support-letter0218.pdf

Doctors' Germ-Laden Stethoscope May Spread Nasty Bacteria

Doctors' Germ-Laden Stethoscope May Spread Nasty Bacteria

New Memorial board chair says hospital's mission safe despite hurdles | savannahnow.com

New Memorial board chair says hospital's mission safe despite hurdles | savannahnow.com

Medical marijuana, Medicaid bills likely up for vote Monday - The Newnan Times-Herald

Medical marijuana, Medicaid bills likely up for vote Monday - The Newnan Times-Herald

Crossover Day at Legislature: what to watch for | www.ajc.com

Crossover Day at Legislature: what to watch for | www.ajc.com