National News
Arkansas Radiologist and former State Legislator Elected to AMA Board of Trustees
CHICAGO - The American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s largest physician organization, announced the election of Arkansas radiologist Scott Ferguson, M.D., to its Board of Trustees. “I have spent my career fighting to preserve physician choice and autonomy, patient protections and the physician-patient relationship,” said Dr. Ferguson. “As a…
New Medicare Card
Beginning in April 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will mail new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare on a flow basis by geographic location and other factors. Additional details on timing will be available as the mailings progress. Mailing Schedule April -…
AMA Releases Results of Prior Authorization Survey
In December 2017, the American Medical Association conducted a survey of 1000 practicing physicians (40% primary care/60% specialists) to gain more insight and data on the extent to which prior authorization requirements delay or interfere with patients receiving timely care AND the burden PA requirements place on physician…
ADH Health Advisory
Rifampin/Penicillin-Resistant Strain of RB51 Brucella Contracted from Consumption of Raw Milk Summary: The Texas Department of State Health Services, with assistance from CDC, is investigating Brucella RB51 exposures and illnesses that may be connected to the purchase and consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise,…
Help save lives: Co-prescribe naloxone to patients at risk of overdose
Naloxone saves lives The nation’s opioid epidemic claimed more than 33,000 lives in 2015, but that figure would have been even higher if it wasn’t for the life-saving opioid overdose antidote naloxone. For more than 40 years, naloxone has been used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.…
New Surgeon General’s motto to “create better health through better partnerships”
On September 5, Vice President Pence swore in Jerome Adams, MD, as the new surgeon general. Dr. Adams, an anesthesiologist with a master’s degree in public health, said that he is eager to start helping victims of Hurricane Harvey as the “nation’s doctor.” He also reaffirmed his commitment…
Medicine Challenged Insurance Mega-Mergers and Won
On April 28, a federal appeals court upheld the lower court’s ruling to block industry giant Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna. This is a monumental win for America’s patients and physicians, which was made possible through medicine’s joint leadership -- most notably collaboration between the Arkansas Medical Society…
Arkansas Trauma System Saves Lives and Taxpayers’ Money
Journal of the American College of Surgeons study authors report that, after implementation of the publicly funded state trauma system, preventable mortality rate decreased by 48 percent CHICAGO (March 8, 2017): Implementation of a statewide trauma system in Arkansas cut the rate of preventable deaths due to injuries…
Republicans release modified version of health care bill
USA Today (3/20, Groppe) reports that Republicans released a modified bill Monday night “in an attempt to shore up support among both conservatives and moderates.” The revised bill would allow states “to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients without dependents to work beginning in October.” In addition, “states could receive…
House proposal would allow states which expanded Medicaid to be fully funded through 2020
The Wall Street Journal (3/3, Peterson, Hackman, Armour, Subscription Publication) reported the House Energy and Commerce Committee is drafting legislation to reshape Medicaid that would allow states which expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act to receive Federal funding at current levels until 2020. The bill is…
Drug-related overdose deaths increasing nationally
The article below from the AMA Morning Rounds (2/24/17) brings new light to this national epidemic. Make sure you are registered and utilizing the Arkansas Prescription Drug Program to help fight drug abuse in your community. You may also delegate access to designated staff in order to save…