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MMS News & Announcements
MMS Affirms Opposition to Ballot Questions on Physician-Assisted Suicide and Medical Marijuana
The MMS today released a set of brochures and education materials affirming its opposition to two health care questions on the November ballot in Massachusetts. The two ballot questions would: authorize physician-assisted suicide; and would allow patients to use marijuana for medical purposes, following certification by a physician. Following separate votes by its House of Delegates in the past year, the MMS opposes both ballot questions.
The informational materials released today are:
- A one-page brochure on each ballot question, outlining the reasons for the MMS' opposition.
- An eight-page informational brochure on each question, outlining the key arguments for and against the proposal. They also provide the state attorney general's explanation of each proposal, and detailed reasons for the MMS' opposition.
"These are important healthcare questions for the state's patients," said Richard Aghababian, M.D., the Society's president, "and patients should know what we think and where we stand on these issues."
All materials are in PDF format, and can be downloaded for free download at the MMS website at www.massmed.org/ballotquestions. Next week, MMS members with a Massachusetts address will be mailed printed copies of each document.
Related new: Needham health officials oppose medical marijuana state ballot question (Wicked Local Needham)
MMS Joins AMA in Urging Congress to Nullify Medicare Sequester
The MMS and more than 100 other state and specialty medical societies joined the AMA in submitting a letter to Congress urging the passage of legislation nullifying the 2 percent cut in payments scheduled for physicians who treat Medicare patients. The cuts will take effect Jan. 1, 2013, unless Congress reforms the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate formula before then. The cuts were part of the controversial budget act approved by Congress last summer. Read the letter here (.pdf)
"Finance in an ACO World" Presented Oct. 2
A free CME program for MMS members, "Finance in an ACO World," will be held Tues., Oct. 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at MMS headquarters. The program, co-sponsored by Physicians Insurance Agency of Mass., will examine new payment models and practice changes needed to meet objectives in the cost, quality, and patient care areas. Click here for more information.
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
Women's Leadership Forum: Effective Team Leadership
Monday, September 24, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Management of Carotid Artery Stenosis and Acute Stroke: How to Provide the Best Treatments for Your Patients
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
2012 Schwartz Center Speaker Series: Innovative Approaches to Partnering with Patients, sponsored by the MMS and in collaboration with The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare and CRICO, will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm, at The Inn at Longwood Medical, Boston, MA
CME Accreditation Orientation
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Thursday, October, 18, 2012, 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Controversies in the Screening and Management of Breast Disease
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Protecting the Protected Health Information in the Commonwealth: Health Data Security Training for Physicians
Thursday, October 25, 2012, 8:30 a.m.to noon. For more information, call (800) 322-2301, ext.7306.
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, November 2, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Learning from Our Errors - The Road to Safety
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. For more information, call (800) 322-2301, ext. 7306
Directors of Medical Education Conference
Thursday, November 8, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (800) 322-2301, ext. 7306.
MSCO 2012 Annual Meeting: Burkitt's Lymphoma: From Uganda to the U.S.; a Personal Journey
Thursday, November 8, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Physician Contracting Basics WEBINAR
Friday, November 16, 2012, noon to 1:00 p.m. For more information, call (800) 322-2301, ext. 7306.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
Coming Soon: Acid Suppression Therapy: Neutralizing the Hype, Legal Advisor: Legal Duties and Options When a Patient Raises Suicide
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme.
Contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
More Patients Coping With High Deductable Health Insurance Plans
More employers across Massachusetts are switching to health plans that ask patients to start comparing prices and quality before they decide where to get care. These are most often plans with high deductibles, that limit where patients can go for care. Related news: As Premiums Rise Slowly, Patients Urged To Act More Like Shoppers
Medical Debt in Massachusetts Persists
Despite more access to insurance, temporary lapses in insurance coverage and increasingly common plans with high deductibles and copayments have contributed to medical debt, leaving some patients struggling to pay bills for hospitals, doctors, and ambulance companies.
Massachusetts Businesses Pleased with Health Reform
A new study says Massachusetts health reform has been good for the state's economic climate. According to Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the percentage of small businesses that offer health insurance has increased from 70 percent to 77 percent since then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed the bill into law in 2006.
Mass. Eye and Ear, Joslin Partner to Fight Eye Disease
Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Joslin Diabetes Center have agreed to form a clinical and research alliance to provide coordinated care to eye patients throughout Greater Boston.
Expanded Health Center Gives Booster Shot to Mattapan
The 50,000-square-foot, $34 million facility will allow the center to double the number of patients it serves and triple patient visits. For the first time, the new center at 1575 Blue Hill Ave. will provide on-site mammography services and expanded dental, pediatrics, adolescent health, and other programs.
Anna Jaques Hospital Disputes State Financial Report
A report by state health officials finds that Anna Jaques Hospital had a $1.62 million loss for fiscal 2011. But hospital officials disputed the report, saying the financial health of the local medical facility is strong.
"All Aspects" of MedFlight Under Review
Boston MedFlight executives - after multiple mechanical incidents their helicopters have faced in recent years - are working to replace half of the nonprofit's four-chopper fleet and bring in an independent team to audit its entire operations, a MedFlight founder and board member said.
Woman Approved By Boston Hospital for First U.S. Double Arm Transplant
Doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital have approved Katy Hayes of Kingwood, Texas, for a double arm transplant. The 44-year-old mother of three would be the first person in the United States to receive a transplant of both arms above the elbow. A similar procedure was performed in Germany.
More Cases of EEE and West Nile Virus Reported in Massachusetts
A man in his 60s from southeastern Massachusetts is the fourth Massachusetts resident to be infected with Eastern equine encephalitis and is currently hospitalized. The case in a Plymouth County resident triggered state public health officials to raise the threat level for the mosquito-borne illness to "high" in the southeastern communities of Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell, and Plymouth. Related news: Events curtailed due to EEE risk
ARRA Reminder: Oct. 3 is Deadline for Maximum Meaningful Use Incentive
The last day that an eligible provider can begin the required 90 day measurement of the Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria on the Medicare track and achieve the maximum incentive payment of $44,000 is Oct. 3. Click here for more information.
