APMA News - July 2011 - (Page 56)

In Short State Advocacy Updates Connecticut For the past several years, podiatry was not covered as a full service in Connecticut Medicaid programs, but thanks to the Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association’s (CPMA) hard work and the efforts of its lobbyists, podiatry has been restored. Despite deep budget cuts and tax hikes, podiatry was one of the few services restored when many were cut. Podiatry will be restored on or before October 1 as a full service in Medicaid. This effort was a major focus for CPMA for several years, and APMA congratulates the association on its victory. Dr. May Opens Clinic in India, Invites APMA Members to Participate APMA member Bill P. May, DPM, needs podiatrists to introduce podiatric medicine to India. Dr. May is in Kolkata at a new hospital, Medica Synergie Superspecialty Hospital. There are many patients with diabetes as well as other foot-health issues commonly seen in the United States. Dr. May is looking for podiatrists who could serve at the hospital for two or three months to maintain a smooth flow of care at the clinic. This opportunity includes a salary. Interested parties can email Dr. May at Footdoc004@aol.com. After he retired, Dr. May heard through friends from India about the new hospital and the chance to introduce podiatric medicine, which does not exist in India. Dr. May reported that the work is challenging, and everyday living requires some getting used to. But he added that working in India affords a great opportunity to see from a different perspective what America has to offer in terms of health care. Michigan Recognizing the value of care by podiatrists, Michigan legislators retained access to podiatrists for Medicaid beneficiaries in the recently passed state budget. This development is a significant accomplishment for the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association because the legislature reduced the budget by $1.2 billion. In 2009, services by podiatrists were removed, and after Michigan podiatrists’ long and arduous advocacy efforts, access to podiatrists was reinstated in 2010. The only other optional services to be reinstated and retained were dental. Massachusetts Member Represents Podiatry on Family Physician Board APMA congratulates Jeremy Cook, DPM, MPH, on his new role in representing the association on American Family Physician’s Editorial Advisory Board. The board is composed of physicians and other health professionals representing a broad range of medical disciplines. As a board member, Dr. Cook will represent podiatric medicine, prepare one Jeremy Cook, DPM, MPH clinical review article per year, and review submitted manuscripts dealing with podiatry. The membership term is three years with an option for reappointment to a second three-year term. Dr. Cook teaches first-year students at Harvard Medical School. 56 APMA News July/August 2011 Joint Commission Advisory Committee Illinois Member Appointed to Health Systems Committee Member and Illinois podiatrist Neal Frankel, DPM, has been appointed as APMA’s representative to the Joint Commission’s Ambulatory Care Professional and Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). PTACs were created to advise each accreditation program on proposed standards changes. Members of the six PTACs include professionals from each respective field (representing national associations) and advocates. Health Systems Committee Chair and APMA Trustee Laura Pickard, DPM, continues to serve as the APMA alternate representative to the Ambulatory Care PTAC.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July 2011

APMA News - July 2011
President’s Message
Contents
PICA Reflects on its Past, Looks to the Future
APMA Media Event Wrap-Up: Toning Shoes Are All The Rage, Along with Podiatrists' Expert Advice
APMA Member Testifi es Before Congressional Committee on Health IT
Stepping Up to Prevent Falls: Part II
Resident Experts: CPME's Residency Evaluators Share Their Stories
Strategic Planning Retreat Underscores APMA Direction
Reimbursement
Can They Really Do That?
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Federal Advocacy Forum
Small Business 101
CPME Update
APMAPAC Chair Report
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Committee Nominations
Bylaws Propositions Due
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
Ten Questions

APMA News - July 2011