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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
AGS Lauds Senate Measure to Avert SGR Cuts For 5 Years; Urges Permanent Fix
Legislation the Senate approved late last week could avert scheduled Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)-mandated cuts in Medicare payments to physicians for the next five years. The legislation would institute "pay-as-you go" budgetary policies but includes an exemption for funds required to avoid the SGR-mandated cutbacks. Unless Congress acts, the SGR will trim Medicare payments to physicians 21% on March 1. According to CQ Healthbeat, the House is expected to approve the Senate legislation.
The AGS hails the Senate for including the exemption in the legislation, and urges the House to follow suit. The Society, however, continues to advocate for a permanent "fix" for chronic problems with the SGR. The newly approved legislation offers a temporary solution. The SGR formula is designed to recoup spending in excess of given targets. If payments to physicians exceed a target in a given year, the formula triggers a cut the following year. Because Congress has been deferring scheduled cuts for several years, the magnitude of these cuts continues to grow.
President Obama's fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget proposal, released yesterday, estimates the cost of blocking scheduled SGR-cuts over the next 10-years at $371 billion.
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Geriatrics At Your Fingertips for iPhone and iPod Touch Now Available
The American Geriatrics Society's best-selling publication has added a new platform to its electronic offerings -- Geriatrics at Your Fingertips for iPhone and iPod Touch is now available!
GAYF for iPhone and iPod Touch is a convenient, portable tool that offers practitioners and students on-the-go access to comprehensive information concerning the evaluation and management of diseases and disorders commonly affecting older adults.
Among other helpful features, the new GAYF iPhone and iPod Touch app includes: calculating equations for more than 20 commonly used formulas; a variety of assessment instruments, many of which calculate responses; algorithms for evaluation and management approaches; detailed medication tables and information about appropriate prescribing for older adults; and a detailed index and search function.
The AGS encourages GAYF iPhone and iPod Touch users to rate and review the new application, and help spread the word about its availability and utility. Having GAYF widely used by practicing clinicians from all disciplines will help ensure quality care for older adults.
GAYF is also available for Palm, Windows PC, and Blackberry devices.
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Start Spreading the News -- and Earn "AGS Bucks"
AGS members know, firsthand, the value of their membership. Networking, free journal subscriptions, discounts on educational products, leadership opportunities in the organization, and representation in Washington are just a few of the benefits our members have told us they value.
This month, spread the word about those benefits and help recruit new members, and you can earn "AGS Bucks"! AGS Bucks can be used toward the purchase of AGS publications (GRS7 is coming soon).
It's easy! Just tell your colleagues why you're a member of the AGS and what benefits you value. (Need a benefits refresher? Visit). Don't forget to mention that anyone who joins AGS for the first time in February gets a 10% discount on membership!
For each referral --up to 4 new members -- who joins in February, and identifies you as the person who referred him or her, you'll earn $25 in AGS Bucks. You can use those bucks for all AGS products except membership dues or Annual Meeting registration fees.
Thanks in advance from the AGS Membership Team for spreading the word. Together we can expand our community of geriatrics health professionals!
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Volunteer, Then Visit Disney Free While in Orlando for AGS' Annual Meeting
Volunteer for a day at one of Disney's participating volunteer organizations and Disney will cover your admission into its DisneylandŽ Resort or Walt Disney WorldŽ Resort for a day. A searchable list of participating organizations is available on Disney's website.
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Visit AGS' Career Connections for Latest Job and Resume Postings
There are 628 resumes posted and 69 jobs available on AGS Career Connection online this week! Visit today!
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Got A Minute? Top Health Policy News Picks
AGS' staff and public policy advisors continue to keep an eye out for top healthcare policy stories that our members should read. This week we recommend the 4 picks below:
Obama's Budget To Boost Medicaid Funding, Broaden Global Health Approach
Democrats Work To Restart Health Bill
States Continue Push Back Against Mandates In Stalled Health Bills
White House Wants To Scale Up War On Medicare Fraud
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