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PAs for a Healthy America: Vote 2008
Advocacy news from AAPA on September 4
Pit Bulls with Lipstick
The Republican convention ends tonight, leaving 60 days until the election on November 4. While the focus these past two weeks has been on the presidential (and vice presidential) candidates, don't forget there are congressional and state level candidates out there, waiting to hear from you about health care reform and other issues. Now's the time to get in touch!
Legislative Alert
Remember those rural health clinic regulations we didn't like? We're working to get them permanently derailed so that clinics don't go out of business, leaving rural America without access to care. If you live in Iowa, Montana, Oregon, or Pennsylvania, please go to the AAPA Legislative Action Center to contact your senator(s). It will only take a minute and it will mean a lot.
Hospitals Like It, Doctors Don't
Just when you thought you knew the 17,000 codes in ICD-9, a proposed regulation from HHS gives you until 2011 to switch to ICD-10, with about nine times as many procedure and diagnoses codes. And yes, there are also new technology standards for electronic transactions that are required before you can use ICD-10.
Speaking of Electronics
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services invites you to a national e-prescribing conference, October 6-7, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Registration is free, but space is limited. For more information or to register, visit www.e-prescribeconference.com.
Education and Accreditation
Congress recently finished years of work on a revision of the Higher Education Act. AAPA, in a coalition with other health professions groups, helped straighten out some language about the role of accrediting agencies.
Back to Politics
All those candidates for public office are getting their campaign money from somewhere. Curious to know who's contributing? Check out the newest addition to our advocacy page, the section on "Political Contributions." You can also send money to the AAPA Political Action Committee, if the spirit moves you. And while you're on the Web page, don't forget to vote in this week's opinion poll.
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