APMA News - July/August 2013 - (Page 16)

Arizona Study continued from page 15 THE DATA PROVE THAT PREVENTION PAYS, line for organ transplants and other high-risk patients. “The people who are the least able to handle [a cut in medical care] were people at highest risk, the underserved,” said Dr. Mills. “This was another crack they fell through.” Another problem is that diabetes is silent, Dr. Armstrong said. “Just like people have silent heart attacks, they also have silent foot attacks; problems occur quietly, and to people least able to have a voice anyway.” But “[the state was] facing a fiscal crisis, and they had to make some tough decisions.” He sees the study results as an unintended consequence. “They weren’t thinking about these high-risk patients when they cut podiatry,” Dr. Armstrong said. He added that podiatry is in a different statute from other specialties, making it more vulnerable. Representatives for Arizona Medicaid could not be reached for comment, but Dr. Armstrong was quick to point out that he does not disparage lawmakers or Arizona Medicaid, though the researchers hope their findings will be a wake-up call for lawmakers. The data prove that prevention pays, but the numbers also show a great opportunity for lawmakers to make smarter, more targeted cuts. In order to make that happen, building relationships with and educating legislators is more important than ever. APMA has drawn up a policy brief based but the numbers also show a great opportunity for lawmakers to make smarter, more targeted cuts. In order to make that happen, building relationships with and educating legislators is more important than ever. on the researchers’ findings that members can use to educate legislators about the many costs of cutting podiatry services. Dr. Mills hopes the research results can serve as an example that prevention pays when legislators are drawing up a budget. Dr. Armstrong said going forward, for the researchers, means putting the data out there and hoping those in policymaking positions will see and evaluate them. “We’re willing to work with them, but our overall goal as academics and clinicians is to continue to advocate for patients,” he said. To sum up the study results, Dr. Armstrong paraphrased a quote from his mentor, Paul Brand, MD: “If we ignore their feet, they’ll go away.” n APMA Committee Nominations Requested Looking for a way to be more involved with APMA? Submit your name for consideration to serve on an APMA committee. APMA President-elect Frank Spinosa, DPM, is requesting nominations for APMA board committee assignments. Assignments will become effective at the close of the 2014 House of Delegates on March 17. Requests for assignments should include a list of specific committees and a list of general areas of interest and expertise. If you are an incumbent on a committee and are interested in continuing to serve, you do need to indicate your interest by sending a letter indicating preferences and current curriculum vitae to: Teena Vaughn, Executive Assistant, APMA, 9312 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 or tdvaughn@apma.org and Frank Spinosa, DPM, APMA President-elect, PO Box 1023, Shelter Island, NY 11964 or faspinosa@apma.org Information regarding the charge of each committee is available on the APMA website (www.apma.org/committees); hard copy available upon request. Questions should be directed to the executive assistant. The deadline to submit nominations is September 1, 2013. 16 APMA News July/August 2013 http://www.apma.org/committees

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July/August 2013

APMA News - July/August 2013
President's Message
Contents
Destination Hawaii: The National in 2014
Arizona Study Finds Podiatry Saves Lives and Reduces Expenses
Committee Nominations Requested
US Naval Podiatrist Trains Afghan Orthopedists
The Man Behind the Marketing: The New Face of Student Recruitment
The Benefits of Working with Residents
Bylaws Propositions Due
Health Policy and Practice Committees Meet to Tackle Reimbursement Issues
Reimbursement
ICD-10: How to Code a Typical Infection
Federal Advocacy Forum
Cosponsors to the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
Resolutions Submission Deadlines
Coverage Corner
IT Consultant
Inside APMA’s Social Media
Website Wisdom
On the Road with APMA
Small Business 101
CPME Update
Young Physicians’ Accomplishments
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Sponsors
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - July/August 2013