During budget season, think PAFP-PAC June 30, 2017
As the Pennsylvania General Assembly negotiates the budget, remember that family medicine has a seat at the legislative table through the PAFP's official political action committee, PAFP-PAC. Join your colleagues today and create a stronger voice for family medicine in Harrisburg - consider donating to the PAC today! |
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Hospitalizations for overdoses spike in Pa. June 29, 2017
The opioid crisis has hit Pennsylvania hard, and that includes its hospitals. WITF reports last year, more than 1,500 people were admitted to hospitals in the state for heroin overdoses; two years before, that number was below 950. Emergency room visits for overdoses are not counted in this figure. |
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How will the health bill affect Pa.? June 28, 2017
Now that the Senate health care bill has been released, groups are estimating what the toll will be on patients across the U.S. In Pennsylvania, Lancaster Online reports out-of-pocket premiums could skyrocket - particularly in southeastern counties, which could see hikes up to $17,000, according to one estimate. |
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PAMED seeking patients to share their stories June 27, 2017
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) is searching for patients who have stories of delayed care because of prior authorization decisions from insurers. The effort is in support of House Bill 1293, which would streamline the prior authorization process. Patients can submit their stories to PAMED at this link. |
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Join us for a one-day dermatology CME event June 26, 2017
Have you signed up yet for the Procedures and Clinical Dermatology Days CME event? Choose between attending in Monroeville Aug. 5 or Langhorne Aug. 19. Each program will feature an excellent day of relevant education, plus a fun PAFP member appreciation event the evening prior to the daylong CME. |
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Health care groups not pleased with Senate bill June 23, 2017
Groups representing patients and physicians don't seem to care for the Senate version of the health care bill, released yesterday. The Hill reports groups like the American Hospital Association (AHA) and American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) are calling the bill "disappointing," "untenable," and "a failure." |
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Permits to grow medical marijuana awarded June 21, 2017
Pennsylvania has awarded permits to 12 applicants seeking to grow medical marijuana in the state. The Associated Press reports 177 applicants sought the go-ahead to legally grow and process the plant for use under the state's new medical marijuana program. They must meet certain standards to begin growing. |
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GOP health vote could come next week June 20, 2017
A vote on a bill to replace the existing health care law could be arriving soon. According to NBC News, Republicans are planning for a series of votes next week on their health care plan. There's no GOP bill available yet for the public to see; rank-and-file lawmakers also haven't seen any of the bill's text. |
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4 Pa. health systems partner for value-based care June 19, 2017
Four Pittsburgh-area health systems are joining forces for patient-centered, cost-effective care. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the collaboration of Butler, Excela, and Washington health systems and St. Clair Hospital will use preventive medicine and other population health methods to increase care quality. |
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Taxes may stay in Obamacare overhaul June 15, 2017
Despite heavy criticism of some of the Affordable Care Act's taxes, Reuters reports the Senate health care overhaul bill may maintain them in order to delay more drastic funding cuts, particularly to Medicaid. Republicans hope to draft a replacement bill quickly, as Congress heads home for a recess on June 30. |
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Bill may make it hard to access addiction treatment June 14, 2017
A Pennsylvania Senate bill may make it harder for opioid addicts to access treatment. WITF reports all addiction treatment providers would have to enroll in Medicaid under the bill, which could lead clinic closings; some are concerned that could boost the use of Vivitrol, which has limited evidence behind it. |
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One-third of the world is now overweight June 13, 2017
The obesity epidemic continues to spread across the globe. According to CNN, more than 2 billion children and adults worldwide - a third of the population - are overweight or obese and have health problems related to their weight. The U.S. has the greatest percentage of obese children and young adults at 13 percent. |
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Mixed messages coming from GOP on health care June 12, 2017
While a vote isn't coming for a few weeks, various reports suggest the GOP isn't yet on the same page regarding the Republican health care bill. According to CNN, conservatives fear they're losing ground in the fight to influence the Senate bill, while The Hill reports a path is emerging for that version of the bill to pass. |
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Keystone Physician: Legal updates help protect Pa. physicians June 9, 2017
Family physicians have to deal with myriad things other than patient care, and it's important to remain in-the-know with what's happening on the legal front of family medicine. In Keystone Physician, the PAFP's legal counsel writes a Legal and Compliance Update every issue, on topics from privacy to kickbacks. |
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Keystone Physician: Get to know the 2017 award winners June 8, 2017
In the latest issue of Keystone Physician, we profile the 2017 award winners: the two Family Physicians of the Year and the Exemplary Teacher of the Year. You'll find out why they chose to practice family medicine, and what they love most about the specialty; you might even come across a funny anecdote or two! |
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Keystone Physician: Pa. family docs are making headlines June 7, 2017
Pennsylvania's family physicians are always making headlines across the state for the great work they do, such as winning awards for community service or educating the public on health care issues. Check out the Member News section of Keystone Physician for PAFP members at work across the Commonwealth! |
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Keystone Physician: Take another look at Harrisburg CME June 6, 2017
The PAFP's Harrisburg CME Conference this spring combined great education, fun events like a chili cook-off, and plenty of time to mix and mingle with doctors from throughout the state. Take a look at the coverage in Keystone Physician, including tons of photos, then check out our future educational events! |
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Keystone Physician: Special week highlights magazine features June 5, 2017
This week, we're talking a special look at the new issue of our Keystone Physician magazine, highlighting a different feature every day. Today, we'd like to take a look at the cover story, where we visited the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program to examine the primary care pipeline in Pennsylvania. |
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ACA rates to jump more than 20 percent in Pa.? June 2, 2017
What happens with health care in Washington, D.C. may have a huge impact on insurance rates in Pennsylvania. According to WITF's Transforming Health, under some scenarios - such as if the individual mandate is scrubbed from the law - the five insurers on healthcare.gov are asking for a 23 percent hike. |
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DPC legislation coming to Pa. June 1, 2017
House Health Committee Chairman Matt Baker (R-Tioga) has issued a co-sponsorship memo announcing his intention to introduce direct primary care (DPC) legislation in the House. The PAFP Board of Directors voted to support such legislation last year. For further details, please see the latest issue of Progress Notes. |
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