CMS EHR Incentive Programs Conference Call
On September 16, the San Francisco Regional Office of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a conference call to discuss details of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs for eligible professionals and hospitals located in California. Click here to access registration details.

Dr. Jeanne Conry Elected Chair of the Council of District Chairs
In July, ACOG announced the election of Dr. Jeanne Conry, MD, PhD, as the incoming Chair of the Council of District Chairs (CDC). Dr. Conry will assume the role of CDC Chair following the 2010 Annual District Meeting in October.

Webcast on Physician Recovery from Medical Error
The September 21 webcast will address the emotional impact of medical errors on obstetrician-gynecologists and suggest methods for coping. Click here to access registration details.

Application for Committee Service
The Application Form for Committee Service can now be completed online. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 10, 2010.

Ob-Gyns Issue Guidance to Prevent Surgical Errors
Monday, ACOG issued patient safety recommendations that reflect the organization's steadfast commitment to improving patient safety.

Ob-Gyns Recommend HPV Vaccination for Young Girls
Monday, ACOG issued vaccination recommendations that strongly encourage girls ages 11 to 12 to receive either of the two FDA-approved vaccines to prevent cervical cancer.

All Women Need Antibiotics One Hour Before Cesarean Delivery
Monday, ACOG issued new recommendations that emphasize the need for all women to be given antibiotics before having a cesarean delivery to help prevent infections.

District IX MRI, August 2010
The latest issue of District IX's Monthly Member Resources and Information is now online.

District IX Weighs In on California Medicaid Case
On August 6, a group of national organizations representing Medicaid providers nationwide, including ACOG District IX, sent a letter to acting Solicitor General Neal Kumar Katyal arguing that the United States Supreme Court should not take up a California case involving Medicaid payment. Click here to access the letter.

District IX News, August 2010
The latest issue of the District IX Quarterly E-Newsletter is now online.

REMINDER - 2010 Annual District Meeting
See you in MAUI at the Annual District Meeting! October 14-16, 2010. Register NOW!

CMS Issues Final Rule for Payment Error Rate In CHIP, Medicaid
Federal officials recently released the final regulations that will fully implement improvements to the Payment Error Rate Measurement for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Join ACOG's Free Webinars on Health Reform and You
ACOG recently launched a free monthly Webinar series, with practical information on how implementation of the health reform law will impact you, your patients, and your practice. As an ACOG member, you can access schedule and registration information here.

CMS Offers August Education Series on EHR Incentive Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a free series of national provider calls addressing the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program for hospitals and individual practitioners. Click here to access registration details, educational materials offered prior to each call, or, if you miss a call session, the transcript and MP3 file of the call, available three weeks after the event.

ACOG Fellow Elected Chair of Reformulated Financial Solvency Standards Board
Dr. Keith Wilson, an ACOG Fellow for 20 years, is heading a health reform panel appointed by the California Department of Managed Health Care. The panel will study the impact of health care reform on California health plans and providers. Dr. Wilson is the President and CEO of Talbert Medical Group of Costa Mesa and is a practicing OB/GYN surgeon.

CDPH Broadens Recommendations For Vaccinating Against Pertussis
The updated CDPH vaccination recommendations were expanded to assist in the control of the current pertussis outbreak.

CMS Announces Final “Meaningful Use” Requirements for EHRs
Federal officials recently released the final rule defining “meaningful use” of an electronic health record system.

Get the Inside Scoop! Check out ACOG’s Legislative News
Read breaking news from Capitol Hill, the White House, and the States, on issues affecting your practice and your patients. As an ACOG member, you can access the latest edition of the newsletter here.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Every Women Counts Program!
ACOG District IX's new Every Woman Counts Program Resource Center examines Assembly Bill 1640.

Dr. Jeanne Conry testifies before the California Senate Health Committee on the Every Woman Counts Program
ACOG, District IX Chair, Dr. Jeanne Conry discusses the vital importance of the breast cancer screening program, Every Woman Counts, AB 1640 (one of District IX's sponsored bills), and the impacts the recent eligibility and enrollment changes to the EWC program have on women's health.

Physicians are Now Required to Notify Patients of their Medical Board License (Jun 10, 2010)
Click here to visit the California Medical Board's website with the new requirements. You can also click here for a downloadable sign from the California Medical Board for printing

District IX's Legilsative Bill Tracking
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ACOG's Health Reform Resource Center
How will the health reform law affect you and your patients? ACOG's new Health Reform Center offers downloadable analyses, implementation timelines, and patient FAQs.

Dr. Jeanne Conry talks about the CMQCC's Toolkit on Elective Delivery Before 39 Weeks
ACOG, District IX Chair, Dr. Jeanne Conry talks about the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative's new toolkit on Elective Deliveries and other work they are doing to reduce maternal mortality rates in California.

Hotline for People Who Are Trying to Quit Smoking
District IX is partnering with California Smokers Helpline to promote smoking cessation.

Elder Abuse: An Introduction for the Clinician Slide Lecture
Click here to download ACOG's clinical lecture on elder abuse. This presentation provides information on violence experienced by older women, and how you can help as a physician.

District IX is Seeking Legislative Interns for Spring and Summer 2010 and Beyond
The American Congress of OB/GYN, District IX seeks upper-level undergraduate or graduate dynamic, hard working and passionate interns to begin working immediately.

Register for the 2010 Annual District Meeting Today!
Click here to read all about the 2010 Annual District Meeting at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii.

California Medical Association Launches Physician Support Hotline (Feb 18, 2010)
The California Medical Association has launched a new confidential support hotline for physicians and dentists.

California Dental Association Releases New Guidelines on Oral Health for Pregnant Women and New Moms.
The California Dental Association released new provider guidelines on perinatal oral health.

District IX Launches New Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee
ACOG, District IX happy to announce the establishment of our new committee, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee. Click here to read more.

ACOG Announces New Pap Smear and Cancer Screeing Guidelines (Nov 20, 2009)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announces that women should have their first cancer screening at age 21 and can be rescreened less frequently than previously recommended.

ACOG Responds to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's Breast Cancer Guidelines (Nov 20, 2009)
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issues new breast cancer screening recommendations. See ACOG's response and more details on the methodology and implications.

Need to Get Your CME Credits from the Annual District Meeting?
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Check out ACOG, District IX's Recommended Patient Safety Reading List
Click here for tips on physician wellness and patient safety. Also, download a reference list of recommended patient safety reading.

Information about the Betty Tu Award
ACOG, District IX is establishing a new scholarship designed to support and cultivate future ACOG leaders- Junior Fellows. Please click here to find out more.

Factors Associated with Physician Burnout
This is a supplementary post to the January 2010 E-Newsletter article: Physician Burnout and Wellness tips. It includes a list of 11 factors associated with physician burnout.