ACS/AANS Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy
and Management
The American College of Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons are offering an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University. The course takes place June 13-19, 2010. The award is in the amount of $8,000, to be used toward the cost of tuition, travel, housing, and subsistence during the period of the course.
Neurosurgeons' Stand Firm: Protect Patient Access, Limit Government Intrusion
New House Healthcare Reform Bill, H.R. 3962, Missing Key Ingredients for True Reform. Click here to view the press release.
The Neurosurgeon's View of Healthcare Reform:
A Candid Conversation with Dr. Troy Tippett, President of
the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Click here to read this interview.
As Nation Focuses on Reforming Healthcare, Neurosurgeons Release the First Evidence-Based, Multidisciplinary Treatment Guidelines for Brain Metastases Patients
Recent Explosion in New Technology and Increased Treatment Options Led to Need for Uniform
Guidance to Medical Providers. Click here to view the press release.
Congressional Budget Office Confirms Medical Liability Reform Will Save Billions
The nation’s neurosurgeons are urging lawmakers to pay close attention to the newly released findings of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which confirm that medical liability reform does reduce the use of healthcare services and will save the system money. The AANS and the CNS weighed in on this issue in a press release, stating that these significant CBO findings provide more evidence that proven medical liability reforms are an essential component to healthcare reform legislation. Click here to view the press release.
The NREF Announces New Post-Residency Fellowship
Grant Program
The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with DePuy Spine, Inc. to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation's new post-residency fellowship grant program. As a result of this agreement, DePuy Spine will provide funding for post-residency clinical fellowships with a focus on spine, for the 2010-2011 funding cycle. Click here for more information on this exciting, new initiative.
Neurosurgeons Weigh In: Senator Baucus' Healthcare Bill Seriously Misses the Mark
While Senator Baucus pushes ahead to finalize sweeping healthcare legislation extending coverage to the uninsured and controlling increasing healthcare costs, the AANS and CNS cannot ignore several key issues which are vital to any overhaul plan and are missing from this bill. Click here to view the press release.
Neurosurgeons applaud President Obama's call for an end to defensive medicine.
President Obama, in his address to a joint session of Congress, stated that "defensive medicine" does contribute to unnecessary costs in healthcare and will now explore options for medical liability reform. The AANS and CNS applaud the President's inclusion of this key element as lawmakers move forward with an overall healthcare reform plan.
Click here to view the press release.
 Introducing AANS Podcasts — a glimpse into the world of neurosurgery and the topics impacting the field today. These podcasts are created for the diverse audiences served by the association, neurosurgeons, the media, and the public.
The first in this series is an in-depth interview on sports-related head trauma presented by Joseph C. Maroon, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gail L. Rosseau, MD, Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) interviews Dr. Maroon about the latest in sports concussion developments.
Click here to listen to the podcast.
AANS and CNS support key provisions contained in newly introduced healthcare reform legislation, the Empowering Patients First Act. Click here to read the AANS/CNS press release.
AANS President Troy M. Tippett, MD, Appears on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
AANS President Troy M. Tippett, MD, appeared on national television on Thursday evening, July 23. Dr. Tippett did an exemplary job representing organized neurosurgery on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, a program viewed every weeknight by an audience of 2.7 million. Hosted by Judy Woodruff, the segment also featured Chris Jennings, president of Jennings Policy Strategies and a former Bill Clinton healthcare advisor; and Stuart Altman, a Brandeis University healthcare economist. The three had a lively debate on President Obama?s heathcare reform bill. To access this, click here, where you can read the transcript or view the streamed video. (This portion of the programming begins at 5:44.)
The AANS and CNS Advocate for Organized Neurosurgery
and Oppose H.R. 3200
The week of July 13 marked the beginning of the sprint towards healthcare reform, as President Obama directed Congress to send him a reform bill by this October. Unlike some other physician organizations, the AANS and CNS determined that the best course was to follow medicine's longstanding principles for healthcare reform. To this end, organized neurosurgery opposed the current version of H.R. 3200, the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" and issued a press release to this effect on July 17. Click here to view the press release.
Over 170 Annual Meeting Presentations Online
The AANS live learning center featuring the full compilation of over 170 presentations from the 2009 AANS Annual Meeting is now available. Synchronized audio/visual presentations held during plenary sessions, scientific sessions, section sessions and the new international symposia cover all areas of neurosurgery. CME is available.
Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals
Recently, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the industry trade association for medical technology companies, approved a revised Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. The new Code of Ethics provides important new guidance for medical technology company representatives in their interactions with AANS member. It recognizes the important role collaborations between industry and physicians can play in the development of new technologies, in ensuring the optimal use of existing technologies, and in improved patient care. At the same time, it acknowledges that sometimes these interactions have the potential to create perceived or actual conflicts of interest or other related ethical concerns if not handled properly.
In 2004, the AANS drafted and adopted its own Guidelines for Corporate Relations and in 2008, adopted Guidelines on Neurosurgeon-Industry Conflict of Interest.
The new AdvaMed Code of Ethics becomes affective July
1, 2009 and are available through their website www.avadmed.org - by clicking here
Take Advantage of the Newest Membership Benefit: Corporate and Casual Attire Savings through Brooks Brothers
AANS members now have the opportunity to enroll in the Brooks Brothers Corporate Membership Program, affording participants enjoyable incentives and a 15 percent savings when shopping for their wardrobe needs.
The
AANS and The Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS) are
proud to present the new online learning course
Neurological Examination of the Premature and Newborn Infant
Stereotactic Radiosurgery PE Brochure Now Available
This brochure provides patients with an explanation of radiosurgery and discusses why it works, common conditions treated using radiosurgery, the treatment options available, what to expect before and after treatment, and possible complications.
The AANS and the CNS have issued a Joint Statement on the Guidelines on Neurosurgeon-Industry Conflict of Interest.
The impetus for crafting the guidelines and supporting statement was in part elicited by the heightened scrutiny initiated over the last year by the Federal government into the relationship between physicians and industry. To view the statement, click here. |
