masthead
 December 2014
In This Issue
FEATURE STORY

JOIN OR RENEW TODAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FITBIT CHARGE

Thank you for being an ACU member, and we are looking forward to a great year in 2015. While you may have already received your renewal notice in the mail, for everyone that renews before Dec. 15 we will enter you into a drawing for a new FitBit Charge (see how we're promoting healthy activity!). All you have to do is renew your membership and we'll draw one winner for a new FitBit Charge.

 

Thank you again for your support, and renew now by  clicking here!
Open Enrollment Period is Now
As providers who care for the underserved, your patients should know that we are now in the middle of the second open enrollment period. This is the time when the uninsured can visit the Health Insurance Marketplace, compare plans, and sign up for insurance on-line. The open enrollment period ends on February 15, 2015 and those who miss the deadline will have to wait for the next open enrollment period in November of 2015.

 

Remember, for those who make less than 400% of the federal poverty level the cost of the plans is subsidized making them affordable regardless of one's income. Those intimidated by computers can get in-person assistance by calling 1-800-318-2596, experts are available 24 hours a day seven days a week to complete applications or provide other support.

 

Every missed opportunity to insure someone leaves that person vulnerable to medical and financial disaster. We have all seen firsthand the illnesses and premature deaths inevitable when chronic conditions go untreated. Please share this information about the enrollment periods with your staff and others you encounter who are uninsured or work with the uninsured.

Policy & Advocacy

CONGRESS LOOKING TO WRAP UP BY DEC. 11

Looking to finish the remaining work for this year, both the House and Senate leadership have projected adjournment for the year by next Thursday, Dec. 11. The key work left is on the annual appropriations measures (none of the 12 have been enacted yet), and the potential response to the President's Immigration announcement last week. Leaders in both chambers have been working to finish the 12 Appropriations bills, with the Labor, HHS bill still unfinished. The most likely path forward is for Congress to pass 11 of the 12 bills (including LHHS) for a full year, while temporarily funding the Department of Homeland Security which would implement the new immigration directive.

 

REP. COLE SELECTED TO LEAD KEY HOUSE PANEL

Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) has been selected to lead the House Labor, HHS Appropriations Subcommittee for the 114th Congress. The position became vacant with the move by current Chairman Jack Kingston (R-GA) to run for Senate (he lost in the primary). While Kingston will preside over the remaining efforts this year, Cole will take over when the new Congress convenes in January. Rumors had circulated about Charlie Dent (R-PA) taking over the panel, but Cole had seniority and ultimately took the position. The LHHS Subcommittee routinely deals with very sticky issues, so the GOP ultimately chose Cole, who has a good reputation within the Caucus for dealing with tricky political issues.

 

EBOLA PETITION FROM PHYSICIANS FOR A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Physicians for a National Health Program are circulating an online petition calling for an enhanced response to the Ebola crisis. For those interested in reading the petition, please click here.

Clinical News & Resources

FREE OPIOID EDUCATION TRAINING

Is your patient demanding opioids? A patient's relentless request for an opioid prescription may actually express a need for:

  • Pain relief
  • Validation of his/her pain as real
  • Empathy for feeling overwhelmed

Patients with severe chronic pain are often worn down and may be irritable or angry. Writing a prescription for opioids is not the only way to validate a patient's pain and suffering. Learn how to handle difficult situations related to chronic non-cancer pain at www.coperems.org

 

HEPATITIS C SURVEY

Johns Hopkins is conducting a qualitative and quantitative survey to assess primary care practitioners' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The survey takes only fifteen minutes and upon completion you will receive a $10 Amazon gift card! In addition, you may enter your name for a follow-up telephone interview. If selected for the follow up, you will receive a $50 Amazon gift card upon completion. If you would like to participate in this survey, please click this link:

 www.surveymonkey.com/s/PCPHepCtreatment 


CMS/AHIMA WEBINAR ON ICD-10

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is collaborating with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to provide an ICD-10 and CDI webinar on Wednesday, December 10, from 12:00p.m. to 1:30p.m. ET. Register today here.

 

GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

The Kresge Foundation, Advisory Board Company, de Beaumont Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have collaborated to launch the BUILD Health Challenge (deadline for round one applications, January 16th; round two deadline, April 10th). Specifically, the BUILD Health Challenge will give two kinds of awards - planning and implementation awards - to strengthen partnerships among hospitals, nonprofits, local health departments, and other community organizations to improve the health of low-income neighborhoods within cities with populations greater than 150,000.

Member Updates

LATEST JOURNAL EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE

The November 2014 issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved is now available in print and online! This silver anniversary issue opens by recognizing two Health Care Heroes, and also a column on "Obstetrical Screening for Depression and Intimate Partner Violence." The ACU Column on IPV screening is very timely and includes some very important recommendations for providers. We are also very proud of the two Hero stories, and both Paul Kaye MD and Sharlann Trussell APRN received awards at our 2014 Annual Conference. 

 

MARC OVERBECK JOINS ACU BOARD

Mr. Marc Overbeck of Oregon was elected to serve as the new Primary Care Organization (PCO) representative on the ACU Board of Directors. Mr. Overbeck is currently the Vice Chair of the PCO National Committee, a group representative of the 54 state and territorial Primary Care Offices in advocating the work and needs of PCOs. He has been elected Chair of that group for 2015.  We are thrilled to have Marc join the Board and look forward to a vibrant partnership with the PCOs on all our issues.
Careers

ACU CAREER CENTER

Apply for 2,583 Jobs from 1,011 Employers hiring today in the ACU Career Center, including these:

There are many opportunities for primary care physicians in New Hampshire, Montana, Wisconsin and more. Search the ACU Career Center today. 
Conferences & Webinars
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WEBINARS
ACU supports the health care workforce by providing opportunities for continued professional development and interaction with other health professionals committed to the underserved.

 

For Scholarships and fellowships - click here

For Archived programs - click here

 

Improving Care and Outcomes for People with Sickle Cell Disease

Sponsored by the National Institute for Children's Health Quality

Thursday, December 4th, 3:00 p.m. (EST) - webinar

To register

 

Reducing Exposure: A Healthy People 2020 Progress Review of Environmental Health and Tobacco Use

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Friday, December 5th, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. (EST) - webinar

To register

 

Hospitals and Public Health Collaborating to Identify and Implement Population Health Initiatives: What to do after you have the Community Health Needs Assessment?

Sponsored by the Public Health Foundation and Association for Community Health Improvement

Tuesday, December 9th, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (EST) - webinar

For more information and to register

 

Workers Compensation: Managing Prescription Painkiller Misuse

Sponsored by the National Safety Council

Wednesday, December 10th, 3:00 p.m. (EST) - webinar

To register  

 

Population Health Alliance Annual Conference

December 10th - 12th

Scottsdale, AZ

To register and for additional information

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