INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE

ADVOCACY AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
> PENNSYLVANIA CLOSE TO BUDGET AGREEMENT
> SENATE BILL 8 CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH HOUSE
> CMS ANNOUNCES FAQS ON 3-DAY WINDOW RULE

CME
> CAN'T MAKE IT TO ANNAPOLIS? JOIN US ANYWAY!
> SPACE STILL AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER ESCAPE
> SEARCHABLE CME DATABASE NOW ONLINE

PUBLIC HEALTH
> LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICA'S DENTAL CARE CRISIS
> HEAD TO THE FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH EQUITY CONFERENCE
> IT'S BICYCLE SEASON - LEARN SAFETY ON TWO WHEELS
> ARE THE PCMH AND COORDINATED CARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
> STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR PROSTATE CANCER WEBINARS

QUALITY INITIATIVES
> WE'VE 'REACHED' AN AMAZING GOAL!

RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS
> CONGRATULATIONS, FMIG LEADERS!
> HEADING TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE? HERE'S SOME HELPFUL INFO
> ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RURAL MEDICINE?

OTHER NEWS
> SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE
> TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PAFP DISCOUNT WITH GEICO
> STRENGTHEN YOUR PRACTICE'S IMMUNIZATION PERFORMANCE
> GET SOCIAL WITH THE PAFP BIG 3

PENNSYLVANIA CLOSE TO BUDGET AGREEMENT
Gov. Tom Corbett and legislative leadership announced a $27.656 budget framework last week. This agreement puts the governor and general assembly one step closer to signing a budget bill by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Details still need to be worked on regarding where allocations will fall. The PAFP will continue to keep members updated on state budget happenings. For more information, visit the Office of the Budget website.

SENATE BILL 8 CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH HOUSE

Senate Bill 8, which would establish the eHealth Partnership Authority for the transmission of electronic health information, was voted favorably from the Senate and moved to the House for consideration. The House Health Committee, chaired by past "Friend of Family Medicine" recipient Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga), reported the bill out of committee last week. The PAFP is listed in the legislation as one of the organizations that may submit names for consideration on the authority's board.

CMS ANNOUNCES FAQS ON 3-DAY WINDOW RULE
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions for providers addressing the expanded three-day payment window, which goes into effect July 1. The expanded rule applies to physician services that are performed in the three days before an inpatient admission, are related to that admission, and are performed in an entity that is wholly owned or operated by a hospital. These services will be paid at the lower facility rate.

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CAN'T MAKE IT TO ANNAPOLIS? JOIN US ANYWAY!
Can't Make it to Annapolis? You can still earn six hours of CME by watching the Friday sessions via live streaming! The PAFP Foundation is excited to be on the cutting edge of live streaming technology - and we're bringing it to our CME! For the first time ever, join your colleagues digitally for a live stream of CME sessions from our Summer Escape in Annapolis on Friday, July 6. Get six hours of CME from your home or office! The future starts now - be the first to experience jumping into the live stream! Click here for the list of sessions and registration information.

SPACE STILL AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER ESCAPE 

Space is still available July 5 through 8 for our Summer Escape CME Conference in Annapolis Maryland. It's approved for 16.25 CME hours, with 15 patient safety sessions and wonderful conference hotel rates at The Westin Annapolis. Enjoy historic Annapolis with a progressive dinner or a trip on the Woodwind Schooner!

SEARCHABLE CME DATABASE NOW ONLINE 
It's now easier than ever to take advantage of the PAFP's free, high-quality Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses! After months of research, redesigning and refining its CME database, the PAFP has just launched a brand-new searchable CME catalog. You can find CME by topic, date, location and more.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICA'S DENTAL CARE CRISIS
Learn more about America’s Dental Care Crisis and how it affects your patients! Check your local listings to watch "Dollars and Dentists," a joint investigation by PBS's Frontline and the Center for Public Integrity, on your local PBS station. You can also watch it online here, starting at 10 p.m. EST on Tuesday, June. 26

HEAD TO THE FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH EQUITY CONFERENCE
The first annual Health Equity Conference will be held in Harrisburg in August. Click here for complete information.

IT'S BICYCLE SEASON - LEARN SAFETY ON TWO WHEELS

Have you seen more bikes on the roadways and sidewalks lately? It's summer, which means it's bike season for many Americans. Take a look at the Children's Safety Network's Focus on Bicycle Safety: Resource Guide 2012 and share the information with your patients.

ARE THE PCMH AND COORDINATED CARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE? 
Health care spending has eased up recently, a welcome respite for government and corporate budgets. But what's behind it - economic woes, or long-term change? For some answers, read this great piece in the Washington Post, featuring AAFP President Dr. Glen Stream.

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR PROSTATE CANCER WEBINARS
Dr. Durado Brooks of the American Cancer Society will be presenting one more live CME webinar on prostate cancer in primary care. Mark the date June 27 from noon until 1 p.m. You don’t want to miss this series! Register now!

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WE'VE 'REACHED' AN AMAZING GOAL!
Since the start of the PA REACH Program, 463 providers requested to work with the PAFP's Team REACH for assistance in achieving Meaningful Use. So far, 178 of those providers have attested and received their CMS EHR incentive payments, equaling upwards of $3.2 million. Yes, that’s right ... $3.2 million!

Congratulations to those providers and staff who worked so hard to meet their goal of achieving Meaningful Use!

(This project is made possible through a grant from the Office of the National Coordinator, grant #90RC0061/01.)

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CONGRATULATIONS, FMIG LEADERS!
Congratulations to the student leaders of the Penn State University College of Medicine’s Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) on their Program of Excellence Award! The AAFP awards the "POE" to recognize FMIGs for their efforts to stimulate interest in family medicine and family medicine programming. The award has been a cornerstone of the FMIG Network, as it facilitates the sharing of best practices of FMIGs from across the country and recognizes the hard work of these student groups. Several FMIG student leaders will accept their award at the National Conference in Kansas City.

Student FMIG leaders: View the list of winning programs from past years and get great ideas to implement in your FMIG! And be sure you’re in contact with the multi-talented Diana Tucci (MS4, Pitt), your Regional FMIG Coordinator, and Molly Talley, your PAFP Resident and Student Initiatives Director – working together we can accomplish much more than any of us could alone!

HEADING TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE? HERE'S SOME HELPFUL INFO

Going to the AAFP National Conference? Let Molly Talley know! You can join the group of 52 PAFP student members and 19 Pennsylvania family medicine residents for all the fun and excitement! We’ll include you in our pre-conference communications to make sure you don’t miss a thing and make the most of your time in Kansas City!

Residents heading to National Conference: Don’t miss the Transitioning into Practice sessions designed just for you! Also noteworthy, a new family medicine educators track for those interested in academic family medicine! Read more about the dynamic learning opportunities awaiting you!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RURAL MEDICINE?
Pennsylvania’s rural areas are underserved and in need of skilled family physicians! Read how a Wisconsin medical student found his love for family medicine in a tiny town in this post for Primary Care Progress.  Looking to generate your own hands-on opportunities in Pennsylvania’s rural areas? Talk to your Department of FM office or contact Molly Talley at PAFP for help.

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SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE
Marjorie Bowman, MD, professor and founding chair of the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, is leaving the Keystone State for the Buckeye State. Dr. Bowman is headed to Wright State University, where she'll serve as the dean of its Boonshoft School of Medicine. Goodbye, Dr. Bowman! Pennsylvania's loss is truly Ohio's gain.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PAFP DISCOUNT WITH GEICO
Today, more than ever, it truly pays to be a member of the PAFP. GEICO and the PAFP have worked together to bring you an exclusive savings opportunity on car insurance. Contact GEICO today to receive your free quote. New GEICO policyholders report average annual savings of $500, and you could save more when you mention your PAFP affiliation. And once you’re a GEICO policyholder, you’ll receive prompt, professional service 24/7. GEICO is also able to help you find great rates on homeowner's, renter's, umbrella, and even motorcycle coverage. Click here to take advantage of your PAFP discount and find out how much GEICO could save you!

STRENGTHEN YOUR PRACTICE'S IMMUNIZATION PERFORMANCE
Family physicians are in the best position to improve vaccination rates. Immunization rates for flu, pneumococcal, shingles and Tdap continue to fall short of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) objectives.

Fortunately, the PAFP has a strong partner in providing members support to cost-effectively improve immunization rates and strengthen their practices. Atlantic Health Partners offers the lowest vaccine prices and finest customer service for your immunization initiatives. Atlantic even has a program to provide Zostavax (shingles) and Adacel (Tdap) to Medicare Part D patients.

Contact Atlantic at 1 (800) 741-2044 or info@atlantichealthpartners.com.

GET SOCIAL WITH THE PAFP BIG 3
We are impressed at how many members have responded favorably to the PAFP's Big 3 initiative! We eventually want all PAFP members to be connected to us through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, our Big 3 social networks. We're excited to connect and engage with you! For more information about the PAFP and its communications initiatives, please head to the PAFP Press Room! 

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