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| Today’s Top Story
AAOS Issues Position Statement on Access to Care During COVID-19
AAOS released a new position statement on preserving access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic moves from a short-term crisis to a longer-term concern, medically indicated care once deemed elective becomes more urgent. These circumstances should not impede access to healthcare coverage—including specialty care—for patients requiring treatment and management of their health conditions. AAOS believes the responsibility of financing appropriate services must be a shared public-private cooperative effort that advances a patient-centered model for choosing affordable healthcare options. It also urges the Trump Administration and respective federal, state, and local healthcare programs to take action to protect access to care for all Americans, particularly at-risk individuals.
Read the full position statement… |
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| In Other News
Prior Authorization Reform Bill Gains 220 Cosponsors in the House
This week, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 (H.R. 3107) reached a significant milestone, having gained 220 cosponsors—now the majority of House of Representatives members’ support. AAOS has long advocated for the legislation as part of the Regulatory Relief Coalition, which would improve payer transparency, streamline the prior authorization submission processes, and create flexibilities for surgeons. More than 400 national and state patient, physician, healthcare professional, and other healthcare stakeholder organizations have also endorsed this bipartisan bill. Individuals can show their support by reaching out to their legislators through the AAOS Advocacy Action Center.
Learn more and contact your legislator… |
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| FDA Revokes EUA for Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine in COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the emergency use authorization (EUA) that allowed certain COVID-19 patients to be treated with hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate donated to the Strategic National Stockpile. According to the FDA, the drugs no longer meet the legal criteria for an EUA. Recent findings have suggested that the drugs were not effective in treating COVID-19 and may be correlated with serious cardiovascular risks.
Read the FDA press release… |
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| Study: COVID-19 May Increase Mortality in Surgical Patients
A study published online in JAMA Surgery observed an increased mortality risk among surgical patients with COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients. The study included patients in the orthopaedic; neurosurgery; and general, vascular, and thoracic surgery units of the Spedali Civili Hospital in Brescia, Italy, who underwent surgery between Feb. 23 and April 1 and tested positive for COVID-19 either preoperatively or within one week postoperatively. COVID-19 patients were matched 1:2 to non-COVID-19 controls. COVID-19 patients, compared to controls, had significantly higher 30-day mortality risk, as well as greater odds of complications.
Read the study… |
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| HHS Issues $8 Million for COVID-19 Training, Technical Assistance
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $8 million to 73 organizations that provide training and technical assistance to health centers to ensure these facilities can prevent, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Close to $6 million was given to Primary Care Associations based on state- and region-level needs, while National Training and Technical Assistance Partners received about $2.5 million.
Read the HHS press release… |
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| AAOS Now
The Role of the Orthopaedic Surgeon in Ensuring America’s Children Are Vaccinated
Since the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, nearly all in-person clinic visits across all specialties have transitioned to telehealth. However, there has been one notable exception: well-child visits. Although recommendations from leading organizations have transformed over time—from an initial focus on only those aged 24 months or younger to now all children—the ultimate goal has always been to continue to monitor child development and maintain protection from deadly diseases through vaccination. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that childhood vaccination rates are considerably down over the past few months.
Read more… |
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| Your AAOS
Visit the COVID-19 Member Resource Center
To help Academy members stay informed during this rapidly evolving situation, AAOS is gathering COVID-19 resources to be housed in one place online. In addition to general resources, AAOS is working to provide materials that are specific to orthopaedics, including information for practice management, patient safety, policy changes around coding and regulation, and ongoing advocacy efforts. Be sure to check this page regularly, as it is updated daily with new information. Members who want to share their frontline stories or write related articles should email AAOS Now Publisher Dennis Coyle at coyle@aaos.org.
Access the resource center… |
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