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MMS News & Announcements
"No State Can Do This on Its Own": U.S. Supreme Court Upholds the ACA
The US Supreme Court this week upheld the federal health reform law, ruling that the individual mandate is constitutional. The only part of the law it invalidated was about federal Medicaid funding. The court said the federal government may not strip states of all of their Medicaid funding if they fail to expand coverage - only the funds that would have been used for expansion.
MMS President Richard V. Aghababian, M.D., on behalf of the Society, praised the decision.
"Universal coverage has been better for our patients, and it's been better for the practice of medicine. When people have insurance, they are more likely to get the care they need, when they need it. They are also more likely to discuss preventive care measures with their doctor, and that may lead to longer and healthier lives." Read his full statement here.
The MMS -- along with the Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Mass. Secretary of Administration and Finance, the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, the Mass. Hospital Association, and Associated Industries of Massachusetts -- spoke at a State House rally in favor of the ruling. Watch video from the rally here. Patient-advocates at the rally also described their relief and joy at the ruling. Watch video of patients here.
Media Coverage of Mass. Reaction to the ACA Ruling:
July Physician Focus TV: Youth and Substance Abuse
The July edition of Physician Focus with the Massachusetts Medical Society, Youth and Substance Abuse, examines the problem of substance abuse by young people with John Knight, M.D., Director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at Boston Children's Hospital. The episode is hosted by primary care physician Mavis Jaworski, M.D. Watch the program online, or check the listings of your local public access television stations for airtimes. Physician Focus episodes are available for download on iTunes.
New Video: Easy Access to Boston Medical Library
MMS has a new video to help members access journal articles and books through the Boston Medical Library. Click here for more information on the Boston Medical Library's Waltham Branch.
Member Benefit: Free Recorded Webinar on Collections
If you missed I.C. System's Nice People Can Collect Delinquent Patient Accounts webinar, you can now watch the recorded version at your convenience. This 30- minute webinar is intended to assist office management in preventing and recovering patient accounts through valuable, time-tested techniques. Please visit www.icmemberbenefits.com
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
Antitrust Considerations for Physicians in Massachusetts
July 18, 2012, noon to 1 p.m. via WEBINAR
Management of Carotid Artery Stenosis and Acute Stroke: How to Provide the Best Treatments for Your Patients
September 29, 2012, 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
CME Accreditation Orientation
October 16, 2012 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. For more information, call (800) 843-6356.
Managing Workplace Conflicts
November 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and November 2, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online CME Activities
The Importance of Data Analytics in Physician Practice (3 modules)
The Unintended Consequences of DNR
The Importance of Discussing End-of-Life Care with Patients
Legal Advisor: Identifying Potential Drug Dependence and Preventing Abuse
Avoiding Failure-to-Diagnose Suits
Medical Mistakes: Learning to Steer Clear of the Common Ones
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme.
TheAnswerPage.comEarn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every week by reading targeted content relative to pain medicine, opioid prescribing, palliative care, risk management, hospital medicine, perioperative medicine, anesthesiology, and clinical statistics and completing either an Interactive Crossword Puzzle or Standardized Quiz.
Note: The pain medicine, opioid prescribing, palliative care, risk management content will be available in July 2012.
For more information, contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
CMS eRX Update: Deadline Extended for Payment Adjustment Hardship Exemption
CMS has announces that 2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Payment Adjustment Hardship Exemption Requests will continue to be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on July 2, 2012. To apply for a request access the CMS portal here. Email support: Qnetsupport@sdps.org
Assisted Suicide Backers Say Ballot Question Has Enough Support
Backers of a ballot question allowing terminally ill patients to request and self-administer life-ending medications say they have gathered enough valid signatures to put a binding question before voters in November.
State House Looks to Lift Ban on Free Lunches from Drug Firms
The Massachusetts House and Senate voted yesterday to include compromise language the fiscal 2013 budget that will lift the ban on pharmaceutical companies paying for meals for doctors in Bay State restaurants.
UMass Stem Cell Lab May Close
The stem cell bank is expected to run out of funding at the end of the year and close, state and University of Massachusetts Medical School officials said this week. The state invested $8.6 million in public funds to establish the bank at the medical school's Shrewsbury campus.
Lowell Hospital Merger Finalized
Lowell General Hospital and Saints Medical Center said this week that they have finalized their merger agreement. The two hospitals will operate under a new parent company, Circle Health, Inc.
FY13 budget Would Keep Taunton State Hospital Open
The budget compromise a House-Senate conference committee reached this week includes language that would keep Taunton State Hospital open at a limited capacity until a comprehensive study is conducted. More coverage: State Sen. Marc Pacheco says more Taunton beds needed.
Report: Mass. Could Save $5 Billion By Losing A Little Weight
Reducing BMI by 5 percent statewide could save Massachusetts more than $5 billion in the coming decade, a new study says.
Living with Lyme Disease
A WBUR Series examines the impact of Lyme disease in Massachusetts. Click here to see a list of stories/videos in the series. Related news: Lyme disease treatment faces scrutiny
Mass. Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile
State health officials say West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito sample for the first time this year.
Potentially Toxic Algae Bloom Starts Early in Charles River
A sudden bloom of blue-green algae that has the potential to release toxins harmful to people and dogs has turned portions of the lower Charles River a scummy green several weeks earlier than in previous years.
