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“Perfect Attendance with Endless
Time Off” By Wendy J.
Meyeroff
U.S. Dept. of Labor: Family and Medical
Leave Act Advisor
Provides information about employee
eligibility under FMLA; including valid reasons for leave;
employee/employer notification responsibilities; and employee
rights and benefits. This Advisor was developed by the Wage and
Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration.
Frequently Asked
Questions
January/February 2006 Policy Points
“Pandemic Preparations” By Jeff Atkinson
Information from the CDC about pandemics:
Information about WHO’s effort
regarding influenza:
July/August 2005
Policy Points
“Incentive for Quality” By Jeff Atkinson
Hospital Compare
(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services)
This tool provides you with information on
how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult
patients with certain medical conditions. This information will
help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide.
Nursing Home Compare
(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services)
The primary purpose of this tool is to
provide detailed information about the past performance of
every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the
country.
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement
and Modernization Act of 2003
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services has been working hard to implement the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(MMA). This law brings the most dramatic and innovative changes
to the Medicare program since it began in 1965.
REPORT -
Medicare Short-Stay Hospital DRGs Ranked by Discharges
(CMS Office of Information Systems)
(2001 Data Reported in 2003)
“PLAYING THE CLAIMS GAME” By Susan Meyers
Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare
(CAQH)
A not-for-profit alliance of health plans
and networks that promotes collaborative initiatives to help
make healthcare more affordable, share knowledge to improve the
quality of care, and make administration easier for physicians
and their patients.
“THE MANY LANGUAGES OF
MEDICINE" By Julie Sturgeon
Title VI Prohibition Against National
Origin Discrimination As It Affects Persons With Limited
English Proficiency
Policy guidance from the Office of Civil
Rights.
American with Disabilities Act
Office of Minority Health
Assuring Cultural Competence in Health
Care: Recommendations for National Standards and an
Outcomes-Focused Research Agenda
September/October 2004 Legal Matters
“SECURITY RULE SAVVY” By Bruce A Armon
The Final Rule adopting HIPAA standards
for the security of electronic health information was published
in the Federal Register on February 20, 2003. This final rule
specifies a series of administrative, technical, and physical
security procedures for covered entities to use to assure the
confidentiality of electronic protected health information. The
standards are delineated into either required or addressable
implementation specifications.
Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Electronic Transactions & Code Set
Standards
Published by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
July/August 2004
Policy Points
"HEALTH CARE CANADIAN STYLE" By Jeff Atkinson
Roy Romanow, head of the Commission on the
Future of Health Care in Canada, has recommended sweeping
changes to ensure the long-term sustainability of
Canada’s health care system. The proposed changes
were outlined in the Commission’s Final Report, Building
on Values: The Future of Health Care in Canada, which was
tabled in the House of Commons.
Canadian Medical Association
STUDY -
“Costs of Health Care Administration in the United States
and Canada”
By Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H.,
Terry Campbell, M.H.A., & David U. Himmelstein, M.D.
New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 349:
768-775
Aug. 21, 2003 No. 8
Aug. 21, 2003 No. 8
A study of the administrative costs of
health care in the United States vs. those in Canada.
May/June 2004
Legal Matters
“JOINED AT THE HIP(AA)”
By Bruce Armon & Julia
Draznin Maltzman, MD
Privacy Rule
Office of Civil Rights
The division within the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services charged with enforcing the Privacy
Rule. The OCR’s web page has a variety of information
related to the Privacy Rule, including a list of over two
hundred frequently asked questions.
May/June 2004
Malpractice Guide
“MULTI-FACETED TORT REFORM” By Richard Vento
American Tort Reform Association
Founded in 1986, the American Tort Reform
Association (ATRA) is a broad based, bipartisan coalition of
more than 300 businesses, corporations, municipalities,
associations, and professional firms who support civil justice
reform.
March/April 2004
Legal Matters
“HOUSEWARMING GIFTS” By Bruce Armon
Health Professional Shortage Area
Guidelines for Primary Medical Care/Dental
Designation
Health and Human Services – Safe
Harbor
To view in its entirety, retrieve 42 CFR
1001.952.
Defines arrangements that are not subject
to the anti-kickback statute.
An opinion relating to an otolaryngologist
recruitment agreement by a hospital in a rural community.
A summary of Federal Fraud and Abuse laws
from the AMA.
“THE COST OF CARING" By John
Zicconi
REPORT - Medical Emergency: Who Pays the Price
for Uncompensated Emergency Medical Care Along the Southwest
Border?
U.S. - Mexico Border Counties Coalition
The study reports that, in 2000, border
hospitals spent more than $200 million to provide emergency
health care to undocumented immigrants - $79 million in
California; $74 million in Texas; $31 million in Arizona; and
$6 million in New Mexico. Emergency transportation
providers spent more than $13 million in 2000.
REPORT - Caring for Uninsured Non-citizens
Florida Hospital Association
This report published by the FHA reveals
that caring for uninsured non-U.S. citizens cost Florida
hospitals $40.5 million.
Federally Qualified Health Clinics
General information regarding Federally
Qualified Health Centers.
January/February 2004 Policy Points
"PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE AT
LAST...WITH MUCH MORE" By Jeff Atkinson
Medicare + Choice program
Contains information for current and
future contracting Medicare + Choice Organizations, other
health plans, and other parties interested in the operational
and regulatory aspects of the Medicare + Choice program.
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
An independent federal body established by
the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33) to advise the
U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program.
November/December 2003 Policy Points
“THE UNINSURED RISE AGAIN" By Jeff
Atkinson
REPORT -
“Numbers of Americans With and Without Health Insurance
Rise"
U.S. Census Bureau; September 30, 2003
REPORT -
“Health Insurance Coverage in the United States:
2002"
U.S. Census Bureau; September 2003
REPORT -
“Consequences of Uninsurance"
The Institute of Medicine
The IOM has issued a series of five
reports on the consequences of people not having health
insurance Convention & Vison individuals, family members of
people who are uninsured, health-care institutions, and the
community at large. A sixth report will be issued in
early 2004.
May/June 2003
Policy Points
"REDUCING SUICIDE" By Jeff
Atkinson
Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative
By SK Goldsmith, TC Pellmar, AM Kleinman,
WE Bunney, editors
Institute of Medicine
A report (496 pages) published by the
Institute of Medicine. It discusses the need for more research
and dissemination of protocols for screening patients for risk
of suicide. It is available in book form and on line.
National Center for Health Statistics
The Nation's principal health statistics
agency. Compiles statistical information to guide actions and
policies to improve the people's health.
World Health Organization
The United Nations specialized agency for
health. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the
attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of
health.
“SETTING UP SHOP-IN THE
OFFICE" By Julie Sturgeon
Counsel on Ethical and Judicial Affairs
Maintains and updates the 155-year-old AMA
Code of Medical Ethics, widely considered the most
comprehensive ethics guide for physicians.
January/February 2003 Legal Matters
“INVENTIVE GIFTS" By Bruce D.
Armon
January/February 2003 Policy Points
“LIMITING RESIDENTS' HOURS” By Jeff
Atkinson
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education
Responsible for the Accreditation of
post-MD medical training programs within the United States.
Accreditation is accomplished through a peer review process and
is based upon established standards and guidelines.
Residency Review Committee
List of old and new requirements for
residents
American Medical Student Association
A student-governed, national organization
committed to representing the concerns of
physicians-in-training. With a membership of over 30,000
medical students, pre-medical students, interns and residents
from across the country.
Patient and Physician Safety and
Protection Act (HR 3236)
Parallel bill in the Senate introduced by
Jon Corzine (S 2614)
Occupational Health and Safety
Administration
The federal and state governments work in
partnership with the more than 100 million working men and
women and their six and a half million employers.to save lives,
prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers.
September/October 2002 Policy Points
“MEDICARE PAYMENT CUTS" By Jeff Atkinson
MediFair Act of 2002
A bill introduced by Washington Senators
Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell that directs the secretary of
Health and Human Services to, in effect, take money away from
the states with high Medicare reimbursement rates and give it
to the states with low reimbursement rates.
July/August 2002
Policy Points
“WHAT'S DRIVING UP HEALTH-CARE
COSTS?" By Jeff
Atkinson
National Health Expenditures Report
Measures spending for health care in the
U.S. by type of service delivered (hospital care, physician
services, nursing home care, etc.) and source of funding for
those services (private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid,
out-of-pocket spending, etc.). Expenditure estimates for
1960-2000 are currently available in data files or in published
articles.
ARTICLE -
“Inflation Spurs Health Spending in 2000"
By Katharine Levit et al.
Health Affairs, Volume 21 Number 1.
January/February 2002
This article is available online for $9.95
or free for subscribers of Health Affairs.
A research report by the National
Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational
Foundation.
Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999
(BBRA)
Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of
2000
State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP)
REPORT “Employer
Health Benefits (2001)"
By the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health
Research and Educational Trust
An annual national survey of employers of
all sizes. Provides information about the nature of
employer-provided health benefits.
March/April 2002
Policy Points
“STRENGTHENING STATE PUBLIC HEALTH
POLICIES" By Jeff Atkinson
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act
(MSEHPA)
This act is designed to provide state
health departments with substantial powers to manage a public
health emergency.
National Governors Association
The collective voice of the nation's
governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s, most respected public
policy organizations.
National Conference of State Legislatures
A bipartisan organization dedicated to
serving the lawmakers and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its
commonwealths and territories. The Conference is a source for
research, publications, consulting services, meetings and
seminars.
January/February 2002 Policy Points
“MEDICINE RESPONDS TO
TERRORISM" By Jeff Atkinson
National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program
(NPSP)
National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Division of Microbiology and Infectious
Diseases
Epidemic Intelligence Service training
program
A unique two-year, post-graduate program
of service and on-the-job training for health professionals
interested in the practice of epidemiology.
The Department of Health and Human
Services
Health Alert Network (HAN)
World Health Organization
Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT)
Assesses the need for veterinary services
following major emergencies.
Description and treatment of biological
diseases and chemical agents that might be used in terrorism.
Articles and summaries of conferences on
issues of bioterrorism
Links to sites on the medical, legal, and
pschological aspects of bioterrorism.
Responses of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
September/October 2001, Policy Points
“PROTECTING PATIENTS’
PRIVACY“ By Jeff Atkinson
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
An overview that provides answers to
general questions regarding the regulation entitled, Standards
for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information -
For copies of the regulations and guidance
materials -
May/June 2001
Policy Points
"REORGANIZING ORGAN ALLOCATION" By Jeff Atkinson
REPORT -
“Organ Procurement and Transplantation"
The Institute of Medicine Report;
(2000)
REPORT -
"Roles and Training in the Donation Process: A Resource
Guide"
Published by The U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services; 2000
Organ Procurement Organizations
A list of Organ Procurement Organizations
throughout the U.S.
March/April 2001
Policy Points
“DATA-BANK TUNE-UP” By Jeff Atkinson
REPORT - “Major Improvements Are
Needed to Enhance Data Bank’s Reliability”
National Practitioner Data Bank
A 46-page report by the United States
General Accounting Office (GAO) issued in November, 2000. The
report is Report No. GAO-01-130
National Practitioner Data Bank
Look under the heading of “Report
& Query”
Physicians may check their own files at
the National Practitioner Data Bank. The fee for a practitioner
to obtain her own report is $10, and the form for ordering a
report can be obtained on line at the above address.
