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- February 14, 2017
Read the Latest Issue of STATLINE
February 14, 2017
In This Issue:
- Tom Price Confirmed as HHS Secretary
- Help CAP Understand the Future of Pathology—Take A Retirement Planning Survey
- Less Than 50 Days to Report PAMA Data
- Register for A Seat at the Table—The Impact Only You Can Make on the Future of Pathology Webinar
- Register Now for the 2017 CAP Policy Meeting, April 24–26
- AMA Membership Strengthens the CAP
- Editor’s Note to STATLINE Readers
Tom Price Confirmed as HHS Secretary
Congressman Tom Price, MD (R-GA) was confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) by the Senate on February 10, 2017. He was approved by a party-line vote of 52-47. Dr. Price will be the first physician to lead HHS since Dr. Louis W. Sullivan during the George H.W. Bush administration.
Dr. Price, a retired orthopedic surgeon from suburban Atlanta who served as chairman of the House Budget Committee, will be one of the key players to implement the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates representing the Medical Association of Georgia.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Price has supported the CAP on a number of issues. He was a lead sponsor on House legislation to repeal outdated cytology proficiency testing requirements, and he orchestrated passage of the bill twice in the House. In addition, Dr. Price supported exempting pathologists and other hospital-based physicians from penalties under Medicare's meaningful use of electronic health record program. He also supported the CAP's efforts to extend the technical component (TC) grandfather. Finally, Dr. Price cosponsored the Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act of 2016.
Help CAP Understand the Future of Pathology—Take A Retirement Planning Survey
The CAP started conducting a short retirement and retirement planning study to find out more about retirement attitudes and age for most pathologists and how the changing demographics may affect the future job market for pathologists.
The survey began on Monday, February 13 and will end on Friday, February 24, 2017. The CAP will give away $150 Amazon gift cards to four lucky survey responders.
This short, five-minute online survey was sent by email to board-certified pathologists, aged 60 to 85 years old and can be completed on a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. The survey asks about members' current work status, workload and retirement plans and if they are practicing full or part-time.
The results of the survey will enable the CAP to update its understanding of the workforce and future manpower needs for pathology. The CAP will also use retirement and retirement planning data so that we can help policy makers’ efforts to assess and address specific needs across pathology specialties.
The results of this survey will be published in a manuscript later in 2017. If you have any questions, or have not received the survey and are eligible, please email practicesurvey@cap.org.
Less Than 50 Days to Report PAMA Data
The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) requires certain laboratories to submit private payor rates for clinical laboratory tests. Private payor data is due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) by March 31, 2017, which less than 50 days away.
To help you with the submission process, the CMS created a PAMA Data Collection User Guide with step-by-step instructions and screen shots.
The CAP has added this invaluable tool to our pathology-specific PAMA resources, including an informative infographic and podcast, to help laboratories understand regulatory requirements and upcoming deadlines. These resources and additional tools can be found on the CAP's PAMA resources webpage.
Register for A Seat at the Table—The Impact Only You Can Make on the Future of Pathology Webinar
With a new presidential administration, the US government will pursue policies that are yet hard to predict. On February 21, 2017 at 1 PM ET/noon CT the CAP will present the A Seat at the Table—The Impact Only You Can Make on the Future of Pathology webinar.
If you ever had a doubt that your voice matters, this 60 minute webinar will present the facts and figures on the crucial impact you have on members of Congress. Learn how you can make a difference with data presented from Congressional Management Foundation surveys, the National Journal, and other reputable sources illustrating the importance of grassroots advocacy.
Get facts and figures along with down-in the-trenches insight from Joe Saad, MD, FCAP, the CAP Federal and State Affairs Committee Chair, and Michael Giuliani, CAP Advocacy Senior Director and former Hill staffer, on what drives members of Congress: who they listen to, how they make decisions, and the best ways to influence them.
Register Now for the 2017 CAP Policy Meeting, April 24–26
With a theme of Protecting the Practice of Pathology and Our Patients, let your voice be heard at the 2017 CAP Policy Meeting. From April 24–26, CAP members can connect with government leaders and policy experts to discuss the impact of federal regulation on their pathology practices.
Join your colleagues in Washington, DC, to bring focus and attention to the important issues impacting pathologists. Prepare for changes on the horizon and advocate on behalf of pathology on Capitol Hill. Whether you're a first time attendee or policy meeting veteran, this is a must attend event open to CAP members only.