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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

From the College

Advocates for Arthritis, We’ll See You on the Hill

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The annual ACR Advocates for Arthritis program will be held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 25–26, 2008. As in previous years, physicians, health professionals and patients will visit congressional offices to discuss current legislation that would advance research, prevention and care for patients with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Fraud and Abuse: What’s the Difference?

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Each year, fraud and abuse cost the Medicare and Medicaid programs billions of dollars. What is the difference between fraud and abuse? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services define fraud and abuse as two different offenses…

National HMO Class-Action Case Settled

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The latest development in the healthcare class-action settlement will affect approximately 900,000 physicians (and some major state medical societies) who may be eligible to receive compensation from the settlement – as long as they file a claim. The case has been called “historic” by those representing both physicians and insurance companies.

Voices on the Hill

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On September 19, the ACR and the Arthritis Foundation held a joint legislative briefing to inform Congress members and their staff about the devastating effects of arthritis and related rheumatic diseases, as well as to encourage support of the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007” (S.626/H.R. 1283), or Arthritis Act.

Joint Surgery

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Modern joint replacement surgery involves removal of worn cartilage from both sides of the joint, followed by resurfacing of the joint with a metal and plastic replacement implant that looks and functions much like a normal joint. Although nearly every joint in the body can be replaced, most replacement surgeries involve the hip or knee. Joint replacement surgery is typically recommended for patients who have tried non-surgical treatment but still have joint pain. While this is an extremely effective surgical treatment, total joint replacement should be considered as the last (rather than the first) treatment option for patients with advanced arthritis of the hip, knee, or shoulder.

ACR Business Meeting 2007

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The ACR will hold its annual business meeting for all members on Saturday, November 10, in Boston at the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting. The business meeting will begin at 2 p.m., immediately preceding the “ACR Concurrent Abstract” presentation, and will include election of the ACR secretary, treasurer, and board members; and installation of the 71st ACR president, David A. Fox, MD.

REF Fellowship Training Award Expanded

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Workforce training should be at the forefront of every rheumatologist’s mind. The release of the 2006 Rheumatology Workforce Study, commissioned by the ACR, confirms that the current shortage of rheumatologists will continue to increase, affecting current and future patient care.

Innovative Educational Programs for Rheumatology APNs and PAs

Karen L. Kerr, MSN, NP, CPNP, APRN-BC  |  

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases affect more than 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States. With the aging of the U.S. population, the number of adults with rheumatic disease is expected to increase to 67 million by 2030.1 While the demand for rheumatology services is increasing, the supply of practicing rheumatologists is diminishing. The ACR Rheumatology Workforce Study (published earlier this year) predicts that there will be little or no increase in the number of practicing rheumatologists, resulting in a critical shortage of rheumatologists by 2020.

ACR Recertification Resources

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With the time constraints, stress, and lack of resources rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals face everyday, it can be challenging to find educational programs that not only provide measurable effects on the quality of patient care, but also offer resources to equip you for the ever-changing world of healthcare.

Urge Congress to Support the Arthritis Act

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The ACR strongly urges Congress to enact the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007” (S. 626/H.R.1283), introduced by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Christopher Bond (R-Mo.) and Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.).