Monthly Archives: February 2017

Today's Top Story Uncertainty regarding immigration order could affect hospitals’ approach to Match Day. An article in The Wall Street Journal looks at the effect a recently issued executive order may have on the upcoming Match Day. The order restricts entry to the United States for citizens of certain countries, and according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), about 1,000 of the 56,530 physicians who applied for U.S. residency slots this year are from the seven [...]

Today's Top Story Tom Price, MD, confirmed as HHS secretary. The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Tom Price, MD, to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Price is an AAOS member and a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As HHS secretary, he is expected to play a strong role in issuing department regulations aimed at weakening the ACA and helping to shape replacement legislation. Read [...]

Today's Top Story CMS extends attestation deadline for Medicare EHR Incentive Program. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the attestation deadline for providers participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program to Monday, March 13, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Participating providers must attest to the 2016 program requirements by that date to avoid a payment penalty during 2018. CMS states that providers who are participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive [...]

Today's Top Story House panel begins work on ACA repeal proposals. Bloomberg News reports that a panel of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has begun examining drafts of four bills that may serve as the basis for repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Speaker of the House Paul Ryan states that Congress expects to "be moving Obamacare [ACA] legislation by the first quarter." Read more... Other News Study: How do treatment techniques compare [...]

Today's Top Story Medical organizations offer recommendations for healthcare legislation. Representatives from five medical organizations met with members of the U.S. Congress this week to discuss priorities they argue should be included in any reform or replacement of the Affordable Care Act. According to a document released by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Osteopathic Association, recommendations include: [...]

Today's Top Story Senate Committee moves forward on Tom Price nomination to HHS secretary. U.S. News and World Report writes that Republican legislators on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee have advanced the nomination of Tom Price, MD, as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), despite a boycott of the vote by Democratic legislators. Committee rules generally require at least one member from each party to be present at such a vote, but committee [...]