IPS Mourns the death of its President, Sheldon Miller, MD
The Illinois Psychiatric Society lost a very important and integral part of its leadership on October 2, 2011, when Sheldon Miller, MD passed away. Dr. Miller advocated, passionately, for psychiatric education, the field of Addiction Psychiatry, and the best possible care for addicted people.
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***ADVOCACY ALERT***
Congress (Again) Approves Respite from Impending Medicare Pay cut
Early this morning the House of Representatives and Senate approved a measure to extend the payroll tax cut through February; the measure also postpones scheduled cuts in reimbursements to doctors who serve Medicare patients. And the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, anticipating congressional action to avert the reduction in the 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, announced yesterday it is extending the 2012 Annual Participation Enrollment Period through February 14, 2012. The effective date for any participation status change during the extension, however, remains Sunday, January 1, 2012, and will be in force for the entire year. Contractors will accept and process any participation elections or withdrawals made during the extended enrollment period that are postmarked on or before Tuesday, February 14, 2012.
Physician organizations send letter to MedPAC
The AMA and other medical specialty societies have submitted a letter to MedPAC prior to their consideration of a proposal to repeal the Medicare physician payment formula.
View the letter by visiting: http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/washington/sgr-repeal-specialty-sign-on-letter.pdf Contact: Heather Lasher Todd, AMA Media Relations, 202-789-7430, Heather.Lasher.Todd@ama-assn.org
Other Advocacy Links:
Important Medicare Payment Changes
Governor Quinn Signs New Illinois Parity Bill!
IPS Passes New Parity Law
CMS Addresses APA Members' Concerns with E-Prescribing Incentive Program Proposed Rule
Political Presence: APA Values of Advocacy and Leadership
APA Advocacy Day Report
Blues Rescind Authorization Mandate after APA, District Branch ProtestHealth Reform, the 112th Congress, & the Courts
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IPS Members in the NEWS
IPS Leader speaks out at Mental Health Rally
Anna Costakis, MD and patient in photo to the left.
A political battle royal over the closing of three state mental hospitals is grabbing most of the attention, but beneath that struggle is a plan that would reshape psychiatric care in Illinois — and not, critics say, for the better. Click here for the full article.
Are Violent Video games a First Amendment Issue?
by IPS member, Louis Kraus, MD - On June 27, in a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a California law banning the sale of violent video games to children. The majority argument for the ruling was that banning the sale of these games to children is a violation of First Amendment rights protecting free speech. The California law would have imposed a $1,000 fine on stores selling violent video games to minors. Click here for the full article.
Congratulations to IPS member Franz Hinojosa, MD first-year child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at the University of Illinois, Chicago, who received one of the APA 2011-2013 Diversity Leadership Fellow Scholarships this year. He is interested in educating the Latino and other minority communities about mental healthcare. He will serve on the Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities.
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New Member Benefits - Save On Your Energy Costs
Constellation Energy - A smart choice
Choose Constellation Energy as your electricity supplier through Illinois Psychiatric Society’s exclusive relationship and save on your monthly electric bill while also supporting the organization. You’ll receive a $50 Visa® Prepaid Card and Constellation will make a donation to Illinois Psychiatric Society for each successful enrollment!
Click here to view savings in your area. Or call 866.577-4700.
Use Member Promo Code: IPSOffer11
- Price protection against rate volatility
- Hassle-free switching, no service interruption and no enrollment fees
- A single utility bill – as you’ve always had – but with your new low electricity price
Click here to read Constellation Energy’s FAQ’s and watch our video!
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