News and Events Postings

June 3, 2008

Chapter News

• 5-2-1-0 Clinical Decision Support Charts for Sale: The Chapter has a limited supply of flipcharts that are now being sold Nationally by the AAP but came from the Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative. If you are interested in purchasing a flip chart for $35 plus $5 shipping (a rate discounted from what National is selling them), please contact Aubrie at agridleyentwood@aap.net.
  
  
• Hearty Thanks to outgoing Chapter President, Donald Burgess MD FAAP: As Don's term as President comes to a close this month, the Chapter would like to thank him for his service. During his term, Don was key in applying for and implementing the Open Forum concept that brought pediatricians together with legislators, social workers, activists and others in the field of early childhood. Don has also been very good at bringing other organizations into the work of the Chapter through our conferences and projects including obesity and oral health. He has effectively leveraged grant funding to maximize the impact of our programs to affect children. He has also been a strong legislative advocate and chapter spokesperson. Don was recently featured in the "Chapter Officer Spotlight" of the April Chapter Connections from National AAP.
  
  
• Election Results: Congratulations to our new Chapter Vice-President Christopher Stenberg MBChB FAAP and Chapter Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Hale MD FAAP! Chris and Dan's terms will begin July 1, 2008. Jonathan Fanburg MD FAAP will take over as Chapter President at the same time.
  
  
• Membership Survey: Thank you for your participation in our membership survey. About 50% of our members participated. You input is going into action through our current strategic planning process that will result in our new 3-year Strategic Plan. The plan will be distributed to members when it is finalized this summer. We are also seriously considering your comments on our conferences...look for changes to start happening with this falls' conference!
  
  
• New Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinators: Thank you to Patricia Nobel MD FAAP and Beatrice Szantyr MD FAAP for agreeing to be the Chapter's new Breastfeeding Co-Coordinators. Pat and Bea will be the liason to the Chapter from the AAP's Section on Breastfeeding and the Maine Breastfeeding Coalition.
  
  

Dr. Aronson Heads New Center for Humane Worlds for Child and Youth Health [more]

Safer Health Care for Kids Summer Webinars [more]

AAP Advisory on June 4 Vaccine Rally

To: AAP Chapter Presidents; AAP Chapter Executive Directors

CC: AAP Board Members; Department of Communications; Department of Community & Chapter & State Government Affairs; Department of Federal Affairs

From: Macon Morehouse, Assistant Director, Public Affairs & Media Advocacy, Department of Federal Affairs

RE: June 4 Vaccine Rally in Washington, D.C.

ADVISORY: On June 4, celebrities Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey will host a rally in Washington, DC. Participants will focus on the childhood immunization schedule, preservatives used in vaccines, and vaccine-related autism research. The event may attract some media attention. If it does, reporters and parents may ask pediatricians about vaccines. Resources, including hand-outs for parents, talking points and scientific data, are available at www.aap.org on the public Web site and in the Member Center.

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Immunizations Update from Larry Losey MD FAAP

May 23, 2008
Fr: Larry Losey
To: Maine AAP ListServe

There's some unpleasant news coming from the Maine Immunization Program. Of course, it relates to money. The money that has been at the heart of our funding to allow non-VFC eligible children to get state supplied vaccines comes from a CDC grant. This funding is getting radically chopped--and another half million dollar cut has been announced. Because of this, there is simply not enough money to buy these vaccines for all children. Effective June 1, 2008 (eight days from now!) we will not be able to use the VFC provided vaccine for the adolescent TdaP and second dose varicella. We'll need to purchase this vaccine privately to use for children who are insured. If underinsured (vaccines not covered or high deductible) the families can go to a Federally Qualified Health Center and get VFC vaccine.

The immunization program will be monitoring compliance on this.

What can we do?

We came close this last session of the state legislature to getting state funding to augment the federal dollars. At the time, 2.5 million would allow the Immunization Program to provide all CDC recommended vaccines for all kids. With these cuts, that amount will need to go up. The bill passed the house 133-5, but died in the appropriations committee when the money source (tobacco settlement dollars) was taken for Dirigo. We're optimistic that next session we can get some funding. A grass-roots effort--talk to your legislators/candidates about how this is a priority to maintain public health. Keep hammering on this and we have a shot.

Next month Kellie Miller from the Maine Medical Association and I are meeting with representatives from large employers who are self-funded for their insurance. They are currently not contributing money to fund the immunizations for their employees kids. Our talks so far have been encouraging.

We must keep immunizations going or else we will continue with outbreaks of diseases and see more disease. This year is looking bad nationally for measles (close to a hundred cases so far, almost all in unimmunized kids and adults) and we continue with a higher than average level of pertussis. Varicella cases are down, but it looks like that second dose is necessary to prevent outbreaks spread by kids with mild, vaccine-attenuated disease. The economic issues, combined with the skepticism about vaccine safety make this very difficult, despite the tremendous, proven benefits from immunizing kids.

Thanks for all your help & support!

Lawrence J. Losey, MD, FAAP
Pediatrics at Parkview
329 Maine Street
Brunswick, ME 04011

(207) 729-9983
Fax (207) 725-7097

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Update from New England Alliance for Children's Health

We are excited to tell you that on May 22, 2008 the Senate passed a $165 billion Iraq Supplemental bill that includes both a moratorium on the August 17th CMS Directive and the Medicaid regulations.

The domestic spending part of the bill was approved in with a veto-proof margin in a stand-alone vote of 75-22. Ten of the 12 New England Senators voted in favor of the bill. Senator Kennedy (D-MA) did not vote due to illness, and Senator Gregg (R-NH) voted against the bill. A roll call vote can be found here.

We have learned that rather than go to a formal conference committee, the bill is likely to continue to "ping-pong" back and forth between the House and the Senate to resolve the differences between their versions of the bill. Given the differences, the bill will likely not be completed until after the Memorial Day recess.

After the Senate and House reach an agreement, the final bill will go to the President. It remains unclear whether he will sign or veto it because of his objections to the domestic spending portions it will likely contain. We will be in contact soon with more information and possible ACTION STEPS as things move forward.

Thank you for your continued dedication to children's health and Medicaid and SCHIP. As always, please feel free to contact me (617-275-2929, arosenthal@communitycatalyst.org) or Erin McDuffie (617-275-2805, emcduffie@communitycatalyst.org) directly with questions.
Sincerely,
Amy Rosenthal
Project Director

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2009 CATCH Call for Proposals

Applications due July 31, 2008
CATCH grants now available in amounts up to $12,000.

CATCH Planning Funds
Grants are provided in amounts from $2,500 to $12,000 for pediatricians to plan innovative, community-based projects to increase children's access to health care and address health disparities among children. The Planning Funds area of the CATCH Web site has more details on this program. 

CATCH Resident Funds
Grants of up to $3,000 are available for pediatric residents to work with local communities to ensure that all children, especially underserved children, have medical homes and access to any needed health care services. More information is available at the Resident Funds area of the CATCH Web site. 

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Catch-Up Immunization Scheduler Desktop Tool from CDC

The Catch-up Immunization Scheduler is for children 6 years or younger. This tool once downloaded can be used to determine the vaccines your child needs and is especially useful for quickly seeing missed or skipped vaccines according to the ACIP's official Immunization Schedule.

We highly recommend that you sign-up for the "Get Email Updates" on the catch-up immunization scheduler web page so that you will automatically be notified via email when this tool is updated so you can download the latest version. This tool will be revised whenever the official schedule is changed. Note: We do not keep email addresses therefore your privacy is protected.

Click here for the tool.

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 Legislative Report on Efforts Concerning Postpartum Mental Health

The Legislative Report on LD 792, Efforts Concerning Postpartum Mental Health Education was submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, and is also now available on the DHHS web site.

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  Dr. Aronson Heads New Center for Humane Worlds for Child and Youth Health

Richard Aronson MD MPH FAAP is leading the new Center for Humane Worlds for Child and Youth Health, part of the Future Search Network. The Center is dedicated to creating conditions under which all children and youth have the full opportunity to thrive in body, mind, and spirit. For more information on the Center, click here.

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LD 658, An Act to Protect the Health of Infants becomes Public Law

LD 658 (now Public Law Chapter 595) requires insurance companies, doing business in Maine, to cover the cost of amino acid-based elemental formulas for children who are unable to consume a natural, life-sustaining diet due to various allergies or diseases.  By passing this law, Maine has become the ninth state to pass legislation that requires insurance coverage of amino acid-based elemental formulas for children who are unable to consume a natural, life-sustaining diet due to various allergies or diseases. This important legislation will take effect in January of 2009.

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Smoking in Cars with Kids Banned

Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill in early April that will make Maine the latest state to ban smoking in cars in which children are present. Maine's new law will outlaw smoking in cars in which young people under 16 are present. The law authorizes $50 fines, but only after the first year. Violators will get warnings in the meantime. For more information, click here.

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 Legislature Sends Lead Paint Prevention Bill to Governor Baldacci

Senators and house members came together in the Maine Legislature in early April to pass a bill to fund several lead poisoning prevention programs for children across the state. The bill expands the scope of existing legislation to include the creation of a lead-free voluntary registry of homes and apartment buildings in Maine. The legislation will also provide the expansion of lead inspections, and increase enforcement efforts. In a press release, Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings, the author of the bill, says it is aimed at preventing lead poisoning of children. Cummings says the bill was sparked when his 18-month old son's blood was tested for lead poisoning. The results came back positive for nearly twice the federal safety limit.
For more information, click here.

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 Continued Patient Access to Medications/National Provider Identifier Information

April 16, 2008

TO: Chapter Executive Directors
FR: Nicole Blankenship, Director, Division of Chapter and District Relations
RE: CONTINUED PATIENT ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS

It has been called to the Academy's attention, as some of you may already know, that after May 23, 2008 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is requiring all pharmacies to submit the prescriber's National Provider Identifier (NPI) on all prescription drug claims to obtain reimbursement payment for Medicaid and Medicaid prescriptions. Prescription drug claims may be rejected by the insurer in instances when a prescriber does not have an NPI. This may result in your members' patients having to pay out-of-pocket for their medication.

Approximately one-third of all prescribers still have not obtained an NPI. Unless these prescribers obtain an NPI as soon as possible, their patients will be unable to obtain their prescriptions through Medicare or Medicaid and will again, end up having to pay out-of-pocket.

To ensure that your members' patients have continued access to critical medications, the Academy has been asked to urge its members obtain their NPI now, if they have not already done so. We will be promoting this to AAP members, but thought you, as EDs, would also appreciate having this information for your chapter members. Members can be directed to the following web site to obtain their NPI:

https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do

It is recommended that members indicate their NPI on all of their prescriptions to avoid unnecessary phone calls from pharmacies.

If you have questions regarding the NPI, please contact Michele Vilaret at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores at 703/837-4221 or by email at mvilaret@nacds.org.

Thank you.

Nicole G. Blankenship, MBA
Director, Division of Chapter and District Relations
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
800/433-9016, extension 7862
Direct Line: 847/434-7862
Fax Line: 847/228-5245
email: nblankenship@aap.org

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 LD 2048 Victory: An Act To Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products

Both Sydney Sewall and Don Burgess were instrumental in helping to pass LD2048. To read the Public Law, click here. See the message below from Mike at the Alliance for a Clean and Health Maine:

************************************************
Congratulations to all for an overwhelming victory!

Tonight the Senate approved and amended LD 2048 by a 35-0 roll call vote. None of the chemical industry amendments were offered. Four new minor amendments were approved unanimously by the Senate. They are: Raye amendment - makes more explicit a stakeholders process and Maine CDC's concurrence prior to designating priority chemicals a Hobbins amendment - makes designation of priority chemicals subject to a routine technical rulemaking

Martin amendment - cell phone service providers are not responsible for reporting on priority chemicals unless they are the manufacturer Martin amendment - if manufacturer does not have a presence in U.S., then importer or first distributor is responsible for reporting priority chemical use -exempting local distributors

The House then receded and concurred with the Senate's engrossment of the bill. Enactment should happen tomorrow in both bodies, then on to the Governor's desk.

More later on the significance of our work, but consider that Maine is poised to sign into law the perhaps most comprehensive chemical policy framework ever enacted, which reflects a new paradigm that rejects risk assessment and embraces the availability of safer alternatives as the basis for restricting the use of inherently hazardous chemicals.

This is a phenomenal victory for Maine kids, environmental public health and chemical policy reform. The overwhelming margin of victory speaks testaments to the effectiveness of our organizing, advocacy and campaign mobilization. We built and projected people power and crushed the chemical industry opposition.

Enjoy the fruits of all your good work. Be sure to thank your Senators and Representatives (and the Governor) for their strong support and encourage your leaders and supporters to do the same.

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 A Community Pediatrician's Guide to Supporting Military Children During Wartime

Dr. Bonnie Genemen and Dr. Keith Lemmon, Resident Member and Vice-President, respectively, of the Uniformed Services West Chapter of the AAP, has written this timely piece.

Click here to download the Word document.

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 2008 Peds-21 Symposium: "Something to Smile About: The Pediatrician's Role in Oral Health CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

On Friday October 10, 2008, (one day before the AAP National Conference and Exhibition), the American Academy of Pediatrics will be holding the 2008 Peds-21 Symposium: "Something to Smile About: The Pediatrician's Role in Oral Health. Prior to the sessions's start, a luncheon/poster session will be held focusing on projects that support oral health. Abstracts for the poster session are now being accepted. For more information about the conference, please visit www.aap.org/peds-21

Abstracts for Poster Presentations should cover oral health projects that promote oral health (state, local) programs preferably for hard-to-reach populations with disparities. The presented projects are expected to:

- Serve areas with large numbers of children.
- Serve areas with poor health outcomes.
- Represent new initiatives within the community.
- Demonstrate community partnerships.
- Demonstrate need for access to a dental home.
- Demonstrate collaboration between a pediatrics and dentistry

The abstracts will be selected based on the above criteria. Please use the Poster Abstract Submission Form to submit.

If accepted, abstract presenters are entitled to reduced NCE registration rate of $265.00 for the entire conference. CATCH, Healthy Tomorrows, Resident, and other projects are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for submission: June 13, 2008. You will be notified by mid-July 2008 if your abstract was accepted.

For more information contact Aleksandra Stolic at astolic@aap.org or at 847/434-7087.

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PREP*:EM An Intensive Review of Pediatric Emergency Medicine August 16-20, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Don’t Miss PREP®:EM in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Prep®: EM – An Intensive Review of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Sponsored by the AAP Section on Emergency Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics
August 16-20, 2008
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Earn a Maximum of 33.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM

When You Attend PREP®:EM, You Will:
• Learn state-of-the-art pediatric emergency medicine
• Hear what's new from nationally recognized experts in the field of pediatric emergency medicine
• Explore alternative management strategies
• Discuss controversial issues you encounter in daily practice

Register online or call toll-free, 866/THE-AAP1 (866/843-2271).

Click here for a PDF Brochure.

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Incorporating cultural and linguistic competence into the diagnosis and treatment of depression

Assist the National Center for Cultural Competence in our research, have an opportunity to learn about an innovative approach to address disparities, and earn 1 CME credit that will be issued by Georgetown University.

The NCCC developed a unique approach to Continuing Medical Education (CME) to address racial and ethnic disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of depression. The model uses self-assessment as a learning tool for providers to: (1) heighten awareness, (2) influence attitudes toward practice, and (3) motivate the development of knowledge and skills to incorporate cultural and linguistic competency into the diagnosis and treatment of depression. This CME is designed for a broad array of primary care providers that includes, but is not limited to, Family and Community Medicine, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Internal Medicine, and Gerontology. The CME is also appropriate for psychiatrists seeking to add to their base of knowledge on cultural and linguistic competence.

We are currently conducting a study to assess the impact and usefulness of this CME approach. Please click here to access the CME. We encourage you to forward it to other colleagues that would benefit from this CME experience.

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  Mother's Milk Bank of New England Grand Rounds and CMEs Available Online

The Mothers' Milk Bank of New England Medical Education Program opened in April with a lecture by Dr. Susan Landers--Donor Human Milk Banking: Benefits and Limitations--at two New England Hospitals. Dr. Landers talked about the research and science of donor human milk banking as well as some of the many safety and practical issues in starting a milk bank.

For those who are interested, but were not able to attend, the lecture and CMEs are available online courtesy of CT Children's Medical Center.
1. Go to www.ccmckids.org
2. "Grand Rounds Online" is in the middle column.
3. Create a log in ID and password
4. Dr. Lander's one hour lecture will be posted there.
5. You can listen to the lecture or go straight to the CME questions and receive CMEs for this lecture.

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  Safer Health Care for Kids Summer Webinars

Patient safety is the freedom from accidental injury due to medical care or from medical error and is recognized as an important issue in health care, particularly for our most vulnerable population -- children. The Safer Health Care for Kids program is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource on pediatric patient safety.

Plan now to participate from the comfort of your office or home in our upcoming free Webinars:

Automatic Surveillance and Pediatric Trigger Tools
Thursday, June 19, 2008
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT
Deadline to register: June 18
Click Here to Register

Achieving Compliance with Medication Reconciliation Utilizing Improvement Methods
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT
Deadline to register: June 30
Click Here to Register

Understanding Radiation Risk from Diagnostic Imaging
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT
Deadline to register: July 22
Click Here to Register

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The AAP designates each of these educational activities for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Also, be sure to visit the Safer Health Care for Kids website to view the full archive of past Webinars.

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AAP Webinar on Payment for Telephone Care, June 17

A webinar on Getting Paid for Telephone Care: Fact or Fiction? will be held on June 17, 2008 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Central Time.

PPAAC and the Section on Telephone Care developed this webinar to help present payment strategies and learn about the new CPT codes for non-face-to-face care and understand the difference it makes when RVUs are assigned. The session will help pediatricians, chapters and pediatric councils understand billing for telephone care and making the business case for telephone care to payers and patients.

Space is limited so register early by clicking here.

For additional information please click here.

Also, the updated Payment for Telephone Care toolkit is available on Practice Management Online for free to all Academy members. This handy toolkit teaches you the new CPT codes and gives you sample tools (eg, letters, policies, documentation forms, etc) for billing and collecting telephone care.
http://practice.aap.org/specialfeatures/telecarepmt.aspx

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Recent Developments in Asthma Prevention and Control, MassGeneral, June 19

Click here for more info.

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This is a bi-monthly posting of relevant pediatric news and events, including CMEs.  If you have news or events you would like added to the next posting, please email Aubrie at agridleyentwood@aap.net.