Americans don't like GOP's handing of health March 31, 2017
The majority of Americans aren't pleased with the way Republicans are dealing with health care. An Associated Press poll reports 62 percent give President Donald Trump's handling of health care in his first weeks in office a thumbs down; over half were worried about coverage losses after an Obamacare repeal. |
|
Happy National Doctors' Day 2017! March 30, 2017
Today is National Doctors' Day: a day of thanking physicians for keeping their patients healthy and happy; of remembering the impact that our physicians have had on us over the years; and of honoring the physicians who paved the way for quality, compassionate care. Happy National Doctors' Day to all physicians! |
|
Uncertainty in Pa. over future of health care March 29, 2017
Failure to get the GOP health plan off the ground last week has repercussions in Pennsylvania. State Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller says most insurance company executives feel like the healthcare.gov marketplace is stabilizing, but WITF reports concerns abound over future Congressional action. |
|
Some Pa. residents paying less for ACA plans March 28, 2017
Some Pennsylvanians are paying less this year for coverage under the Affordable Care Act, reports Lancaster Online. Those with federal subsidies are paying $130 a month on average this year, down from $145 in 2016. This is in contrast to steep premium increases overall; there are also fewer enrollees this year. |
|
Repeal plan pulled; Trump assures Obamacare demise March 27, 2017
On Friday, House Republican leaders pulled their Obamacare repeal legislation after it became clear it wouldn't pass. While the New York Times reports House Speaker Paul Ryan says Obamacare will continue to be the law of the land, USA Today reports President Trump has tweeted it will eventually "explode." |
|
GOP health care plan reaches critical vote March 24, 2017
President Donald Trump says it's now or never for the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. According to the New York Times, the president has demanded a Friday vote on the bill, which just a day before appeared to lack the votes needed to pass. The PAFP will be closely monitoring this story. |
|
Wait times for new appointments skyrocket March 23, 2017
Long a source of frustration for patients, waiting room times are getting longer for first-time patients. Medscape reports the time it takes to schedule a new-patient appointment in 15 major metropolitan areas has increased by 30 percent since 2014. Increased coverage through the Affordable Care Act may be to blame. |
|
U.S. has serious doctor shortage: report March 21, 2017
The United States has a shortage of physicians, a situation that is only going to become more dire, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). CBS News reports that the study estimates a shortfall of up to 104,900 doctors by 2030 as the population ages - including 43,100 in primary care. |
|
Family medicine makes Match Day history March 20, 2017
While family physicians from across the state were attending the PAFP's Harrisburg CME Conference, family medicine was making history across the nation on Match Day. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports a record 3,237 medical students and graduates chose family medicine residency programs! |
|
Educational sessions begin on day 2 of meeting March 17, 2017
This morning, educational sessions begin at the PAFP's Harrisburg CME Conference. Speakers will be discussing topics such as vaccines, obesity, and caring for LGBTQ patients. Today will also include the annual business meeting lunch, which will be live streamed on PAFP Connect for members unable to attend. |
|
CME weekend begins with government affairs events March 16, 2017
The sun is shining, and (most of) the snow has melted in time for the PAFP's exciting, educational weekend in Harrisburg! The events beginning today are brought to you by the letter G, as in "government affairs": The PAFP's State Health Policy Symposium will be followed by a fundraising event for the PAFP-PAC. |
|
Plan your schedule for Harrisburg CME March 15, 2017
The PAFP's Harrisburg CME Conference, presented in conjunction with Penn State Health, kicks off tomorrow. Before you head into the capital city, check out the full conference agenda and plan your educational weekend! Walk-in registrations are still available. We're eager to see you in Harrisburg! |
|
As winter storm slams Pennsylvania, stay safe March 14, 2017
A blast of winter weather barreled into the state overnight, with Pennsylvania Weather Action saying it could be a record-setting event. Please stay safe: advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes knowing the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. |
|
New doctors to be allowed to work 24-hour shifts March 13, 2017
First-year residents will soon be allowed to work for 24 hours straight. According to The New York Times, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) says the rule is to help avoid the disruption of patient hand-offs. Critics allege that the rule will put patient and resident safety in jeopardy. |
|
PAFP partners with Susquehanna Service Dogs March 10, 2017
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians is partnering with Susquehanna Service Dogs as a community outreach project during the Harrisburg CME Conference. Learn how these amazing dogs help children and adults become more independent, and make a donation to Susquehanna Service Dogs today! |
|
AAFP expresses concern with health proposal March 9, 2017
The American Academy of Family Physicians says it has "significant concerns" over Republicans' new health care proposal. The AAFP says it is worried about patients losing coverage they've received through the Affordable Care Act and that the new law won't maintain the ACA's affordability and comprehensiveness. |
|
Happy International Women's Day! March 8, 2017
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians is celebrating its women physicians and patients on International Women's Day. In 1970, women made up less than 10 percent of the physician workforce; today, a third of doctors are women, but there is still much work to be done for women's health in the U.S.!
|
|
American Health Care Act released March 7, 2017
The Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act maintains some of its most popular provisions while forging a new path for U.S. health care. The American Health Care Act would forbid insurers from denying coverage while no longer penalizing Americans for having health insurance, reports The Washington Post. |
|
GOP set to unveil its health care plan March 6, 2017
After years of promising to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the Republican party is set to unveil its own health plan this week. Reuters reports the expected bill is a "consensus" plan after reports of division within the GOP. President Donald Trump has long promised to repeal the ACA and has called it a "disaster." |
|
Click here to go back to the news archive.
|