1) CONGRESS OVERRIDES MEDICARE VETO click HERE

2) ASIAN/PACIFIC PHYSICIANS OFFERED HONORARIUM TO ATTEND PAN FLU/DISASTER PREP TRAINING click HERE

CMS NEWS

1) REGISTER TODAY FOR CMS ANNUAL MEETING, "HEALTH SYSTEMS IMAGINEERING: BUILDING BLOCKS AND BUILDING MOMENTUM" AT KEYSTONE RESORT SEPT. 11-14 click HERE

2) CMS ISSUES CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT, AMA DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES, AND VICE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES click HERE

TOP STORIES

1) CONGRESS OVERRIDES MEDICARE VETO
It has been a banner day of whirlwind activity on the Medicare bill today. The President announced his veto this morning; the House voted 383-41 this afternoon to override, and the Senate just voted 70-26 to do the same.

That means that the 10.6% cut will NOT take effect. Medicare claims will be paid at the 2008 rate schedule thru the end of the year, and a 1.1% increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2009 for the duration of 2009. During these 18 months, we will continue to keep pressure on Congress to revamp the fundamentally broken SGR formula. We simply can't afford to continue this way.

Of special note: Rep. Marilyn Musgrave voted to override the veto, the first time she has done so. This is a significant gesture on her part, and an acknowledgement that she understands the devastating effect the Medicare cut would have on patients and providers in her district. CMS has expressed our profound appreciation to the congresswoman in a statement we released to newspapers in her district this afternoon.

While we have not yet received official word from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, it is our assumption that they will begin processing claims tomorrow (remember, they put a hold on all Medicare claims for the first 10 business days of July). If we learn anything different, we will notify all members and office managers.

Once again, we hope that all of you will take a moment to thank the members of our delegation who voted for the override:

Sen. Salazar

Rep. DeGette

Rep. Musgrave

Rep. Perlmutter

Rep. Salazar

Rep. Udall

Thank you to all CMS and Connection members who have made your voices heard on this critically important issue. Your calls and e-mails helped to turn the tide we couldn't have done it without you!

2) ASIAN/PACIFIC PHYSICIANS OFFERED HONORARIUM TO ATTEND PAN FLU/DISASTER PREP TRAINING
Pandemic Flu/Disaster Preparation Preparedness Training
July 19th 2008
6795 E Tennessee Ave #427
Denver CO 80224
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Honorarium of $150.00 to attend.
Physicians please bring office manager/assistant

Call Dr. Sarwal to register 303-521-7641

CMS NEWS

1) REGISTER TODAY FOR CMS ANNUAL MEETING, "HEALTH SYSTEMS IMAGINEERING: BUILDING BLOCKS AND BUILDING MOMENTUM" AT KEYSTONE RESORT SEPT. 11-14
Join your colleagues to weigh in on setting CMS policy, listen to U.S. Senate Candidates Bob Schaffer (R) and Mark Udall (D) talk health care, listen to Gov. Bill Ritter (invited) discuss his building blocks to health care reform and participate in break out sessions on scope of practice, quality and cost initiatives, reforming public health insurance and learning how to take advantage of Colorado's new health plan contracting laws AND SO MUCH MORE! Learn more about the agenda and how to register by clicking here: http://www.cms.org/ASAP/08annualmeeting.pdf

2) CMS ISSUES CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT, AMA DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES, AND VICE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The Colorado Medical Society will be holding elections at the upcoming Annual Meeting in September. CMS requests nominations for the following:

* American Medical Association (AMA) Delegates
* AMA Alternate Delegates
* President-elect
* Vice-speaker of the House of Delegates

If you are interested in running for any of the above offices, please submit your name and a current resume to the CMS Executive Office, PO Box 17550, Denver, CO 80217-0550 (or FAX to 720-859-7509 or e-mail to Geneva_Pearman@cms.org). If you have any questions, please contact Genni Pearman at 720-859-1001 or 1-800-654-5653.