Family Physician Newsletter

E-news for March 9, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. IAFP News
2. Government Relations – LOCAL AND STATE
3. Tobacco News
4. Foundation
5. CME Information
6. Members in the News
7. Students and Residents
8. News You Can Use
9. Reminders Worth Repeating
10. Classified Ads
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IAFP News

** MEETING MEMBERS’ NUMBER ONE PRIORITY - SPRING INTO ACTION!

IAFP members gathered in Springfield March 6 and 7 to focus on government relations and meet with legislators about current issues in play in the General Assembly.

*CME highlights
– Attendees heard from ISMS president-elect Rodney Osborn, MD about the ISMS workforce shortage report
- Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nurses president Peter Kale, APN/CNP; Illinois Association of Physician Assistants executive director Kari Anderson and IAFP president-elect Steve Knight, MD led a panel discussion of primary care providers touching on medical homes, scope of practice and the relationship of retail clinics and the health care community.
- Board Chair Rick Leary, MD and former board member Margaret Kirkegaard, MD shared updates on the state’s new Medicaid programs: Your Healthcare Plus and Illinois Health Connect.
- IAFP first vice president Javette Orgain, MD and past president Tim Vega, MD from the Illinois State Board of Health shared the newly created SHIP (state health improvement plan)
- Past president Ellen Brull, MD explained HB 1254, calling for an Illinois Health Information Network to spearhead the development and implementation of an effective electronic health record system in Illinois.
- Kathy Drea, policy director of the American Lung Association of Illinois-Iowa provided education on the proposed Smoke-free Illinois Bill (details in the tobacco section of this E-news).
-Illinois Dept. of Public Health Deputy Director, Policy, Planning & Statistics David Carvalho joined IAFP at Maldaner’s restaurant and presented members with an early look at the governor’s proposal for Illinois Covered (see Government Relations section).

On a very busy Wednesday morning in Springfield, members scurried throughout the Statehouse and Stratton Building to meet with their legislators. Visits ranged from a quick chat in the hallway during committee hearings to a 45 minute sit down meeting.

At noon the Capitol complex came to a halt as Governor Blagojevich delivered his budget address
Link to the text of the address: http://www.illinois.gov/gov/pdfdocs/Budget_Address_20070307.pdf
Link to a power point presentation of the budget:
http://www.illinois.gov/includes/Investing_in_Families.pdf

IAFP delegate to AAFP Kelly Carroll, MD interviewed with the Small Newspaper Group (newspapers from Quad Cities to Kankakee) about the current state of Medicaid and the potential issues the state will face as it struggles to meet the needs of the uninsured and underinsured in Illinois.

Read more in the Government Relations section for information on specific issues covered under the dome in the past week.

**LOOKING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS FOR AAFP NCSC
The AAFP’s National Conference of Special Constituencies is an outstanding opportunity for family physician leadership development and an outlet to work on issues facing various sectors of family medicine. Please contact Jennifer O'Leary joleary@iafp.com if you are interested in attending the National Conference of Special Constituencies, May 4 & 5, 2007, in Kansas City, MO as an Illinois representative of any of the following areas: women, minorities, new physicians, international medical graduates and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender(GLBT) physicians. First time attendees to the program will receive reimbursement for travel, lodging and registration. For more information on the conference go to http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/leader.html

Speaking of NCSC- Congratulations to IAFP Treasurer Michael P. Temporal, MD of Belleville, who has been named minority Convener for the 2008 National Conference! Dr. Temporal was appointed by AAFP to preside over next year’s gathering of the special constituencies.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

*ILLINOIS COVERED FINALLY UNCOVERED
Last Sunday, Governor Blagojevich announced his intentions to provide access to health insurance for the 1.4 million currently uninsured residents of Illinois. This week in Springfield he has incrementally revealed more information about the Illinois Covered plan.

The approach includes expanding current state programs, such as Family Care to raise the income level and maximum age for eligibility. Illinois Rebate will provide premium assistance for workers to obtain coverage through their employer plans. The state also plans to offer “guaranteed issue” so that no one can be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. Employers who do not offer insurance will have to pay into the public system to cover their employees.

For more details on the health care plan,
Link to the Governor’s Illinois Covered Web site: http://www.illinoiscovered.com/

The new costs will be financed by a gross receipts tax (GRT) on businesses with more than $1 million in annual revenue. For providers who see Medicaid patients, those revenues would be exempt from the gross-receipts total. IAFP has not taken a position on the GRT plan, as we understand this tax will affect different members in very different ways.

Although we do not have details, the governor’s plan calls for a 37 percent increase in Medicaid payments to providers. The budget detail includes a $90 million increase in provider payments in FY 2008 and $478 million by FY 2011.

IAFP has consistently advocated directly to the governor’s staff and the Director of the Illinois Medicaid Program at the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services to increase Medicaid payments to primary care physicians equal to the Medicare level.

As of today, IAFP has not specifically endorsed Illinois Covered, as we do not have enough detail to take a position. IAFP is encouraged by the new attempt to bring the opportunity for health care coverage for the hundreds of thousands who unfairly go without care. Members will be notified as soon as IAFP takes a formal position.

After the budget address, IAFP president Katie Miller, MD spoke at a press conference of Health Care Justice Coalition member organizations.

Link to the IAFP public statement of March 7 - http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/IAFPStatement.pdf

*STATE BOARD OF HEALTH PRESENTS THE STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN

On March 8, the Illinois State Board of Health met in Springfield. At that meeting, the State Health Improvement Plan was formally adopted. As a result, the findings and recommendations of the plan become a framework and reference for future health care initiatives and proposed legislation. IAFP first vice president Javette Orgain (Chicago) is chair of the board and IAFP past president Tim Vega, MD (Peoria) is a board member who helped shepherd the plan through it’s development and adoption.

*ASK YOUR STATE REP TO CO-SPONSOR HB 1254

HB 1254 (Rep. Julie Hamos) reflects the recommendations of the Electronic Health Records Task Force. IAFP members should ask your state representative to support and co-sponsor this legislation. The bill provides a plan on how to best implement secure and standardized electronic health records for Illinoisans and persons served by Illinois providers. The result will improve patient safety, the efficiency of healthcare practice and the quality of both individual care and Public Health reporting.

Creating an Illinois Health Information Network (IL-HIN) will ensure electronic health records in Illinois become interoperable with other states and consistent with federal standards. At the same time, patient legal and personal rights to privacy are safeguarded while allowing the transport, management and use of the data appropriate to providing care. For more information contact Gordana Krkic, IAFP Vice President of Government Relations at gkrkic@iafp.com

TOBACCO NEWS

STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS SENATE BILL PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 500 – the Smoke Free Illinois Act – passed out of the Senate Executive Committee by an 8-5 vote Wednesday! Please contact your state senator and ask him or her to support SB 500 to make Illinois the next smoke-free state. Providing smoke-free workplaces is vital to protecting non-smokers’ health and can play a significant role in helping current smokers quit.

IAFP first vice president Javette Orgain, MD spoke at the March 8th Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco Lobby Day press conference in Springfield, along with Senators John Cullerton and Terry Link, Representative Karen Yarbrough, and supporters from the health community.
LINK to her comments here: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/Orgain.htm
PICTURE http://www.iafp.com/legislative/photo.htm

IAFP members in Springfield for Spring into Action on March 7 lobbied their legislators on both Smoke-Free Illinois bills (SB500 and HB246) as well as bills to prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes in Illinois (SB 1705 and HB 1455). Flavored cigarettes are another tactic manufacturers use to try to entice youth with candy, fruit or adult beverage flavored cigarettes.

COOK COUNTY WILL BE SMOKE FREE MARCH 15!
Go out to eat, drink or bowl, thank the owners and managers, and let them know you’ll be back!

LOCAL DEBATES:

The Glenview village board will finally vote on their local policy on Monday March 12, a mere three days before the Cook County law takes effect. The options range from adopting the current weak Illinois Clean Indoor Air law of 1989 (bad), to adopting the County ordinance (good) and something in between that would allow exemptions for bars, private clubs or other workplaces (which would also be bad). If Glenview does nothing on March 12, the County ordinance would take effect March 15.

When one council member missed the March 6th Naperville meeting due to illness, the remaining eight council members deadlocked in a 4-4 vote. The council will vote again at their March 20th meeting on an ordinance to take effect July 1. Still to be decided will be rules for the five licensed “taverns” that do not serve food.

Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at http://www.smokefreeillinois.org.

**TRASH THE “ASSISTANCE” FROM BIG TOBACCO
Phillip Morris has been sending “help” to providers and schools. Learn more about this bogus program and be sure to toss any advice from Big Tobacco:
http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/wheretoget.htm

FOUNDATION:

A CALL FOR PRECEPTORS: SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM NEED YOU!

The IAFP Foundation has received a great influx of student applications for our Summer Externship Program. This year is the 60th Anniversary of the IAFP and our goal is to place 60 students with a family physician this summer. Historically about one-third of all Summer Externship participants become family physicians, so we’re talking about 20 new family physicians this year alone. We need more preceptors to host a student for four weeks this summer. This program offers medical students a first hand look at the specialty of family medicine. We need your support. You can specify which weeks of the summer work for your schedule and we’ll find the students who will most benefit from four weeks in your world!

Please contact Crishelle O’Rourke for more information at corourke@iafp.com. Or you can download the preceptor form http://www.iafp.com/foundation/preceptor%20form.htm
Need convincing? Let IAFP Board member and long time preceptor Deb Edberg, MD tell you more:
http://www.iafp.com/foundation/edberg.htm

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CME Information:

NEW IAFP ONLINE CME

1. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT: Strategies for Coding, Billing and Getting Paid Appropriately. This Online program has been approved by AAFP for 4 Prescribed CME credits.

Read the 2007 coding supplement to the original monograph. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/701codingIAFP.pdf

2. ADOLESCENT HEALTH FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. The case-based CME program, Adolescent Health -Immunizations & Wellness (Up to 3 CME credits) and Social and Emotional Development Screening (1 CME Category 1 credit), is available FREE on the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/education.

**NEW TELECONFERENCES – DIAL IN FOR CME

The IAFP has developed two CME activities focused on the developmental health of young children.

1. Social/Emotional Development and Screening, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders CME activity includes information on which "red flags" to look for in children 15-18 months old, the benefits of screening children for delays, how the conduct and score validated screening tools, and more.

2. Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit: Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment teleconference will discuss the effects of postpartum depression on children and families, and the effects of a depressed mother on a child's cognitive development. Attendees will also learn how identify risk and protective factors of a maternally depressed woman, and use the Edinburgh screening tool.

Each teleconference is an hour long and worth 1.0 Prescribed or Category 1 credits.
Teleconferences run in May and June, for a complete list and a registration form, link here:
http://www.iafp.com/CME/conferenceCalls.htm

For more information, contact Jayne Kittell at jkittell@iafp.com

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Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.

Tom Cornwell, MD, recipient of the 2006 IAFP Distinguished Service Award, appeared live on ABC7 Chicago 4pm news on February 28. Dr. Cornwell’s HomeCare Physicians practice provides care to former ABC7 anchor John Drury, who suffers from ALS (Lou Gerhig’s Disease). You can link to the interview from the HomeCare Physicians’ web page at http://www.homecarephysicians.org/

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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:

STUDENTS:

APPLY FOR A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE IAFP! Just complete the application form and send a CV to the IAFP headquarters ASAP. All students in Illinois are invited to apply. All attendees at the IAFP Foundation’s Preparing for Residency program April 14 at Loyola will vote to elect the new leaders.
LINK TO APPLICATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/leadership_application.htm

**M2s and M3s – ARE YOU READY FOR RESIDENCY? Didn’t think so!

“PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM”
Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine
April 14th - 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

IAFP Foundation presents a half-day event, supported by Illinois Family Medicine Residency programs, with three insightful workshops to help you get ready for the Match process. Workshops include “How to Select a Residency Program”, “How to Write a CV and Personal Statement” (bring your draft copy!), and “Interviewing Skills.” You’ll also get unmatched personal time with residency programs in an informal and fun setting. Plus, you’ll get to be one of the judges for the IAFP Tar Wars state poster contest!
LINK TO REGISTRATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/preparingforResidency.htm

Questions? E-mail Ginnie Flynn gflynn@iafp.com or Crishelle O’Rourke corourke@iafp.com.

** GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE M4-s IN THE MATCH THIS WEEK!!
**RESIDENTS:

** IAFP RESIDENT ROUND-UP: A COMBINATION OF FOOD, FUN AND FINANCES!
Join us for a networking reception with an educational speaker on personal finances tailored to residents. Mingle, relax and learn along with your fellow residents.

Saturday, April 14th, 3-5 pm at Papaspiros in Oak Park – to coincide with the IAFP “Preparing for Residency” program and residency fair at Loyola.

Link to Flyer and Registration form http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupOakPark.htm

Thursday, April 19th at 5pm at the Springfield Hilton – to coincide with SIU Family Medicine’s Practice Management Seminar for Family Medicine Residents.

Link to information and registration form http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupSpringfield.htm

We are planning a third event for October in downtown Chicago as well. Details to come!

*JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE
Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/

*Link to new resources for residents IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

**PRI-MED OFFERS TWO SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCES
Pri-Med, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, is proud to announce a new CME program on diabetes. Pri-Med Clinical Focus in Diabetes: “Risk Assessment and Management of the Diabetes Patient”, will be coming to Oakbrook, IL on May 12, 2007 and St. Louis, MO on June 9, 2007. As an Illinois Academy of Family Physicians member, Pri-Med will offer you the first opportunity to register for these intensive half-day programs which focus on a single topic critical in helping you manage the complex diabetes patient. Please visit http://www.pri-med.com/ada/r49 for additional program information or to register.

ICAAP Educational Conference to be held May 18-19, 2007
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) is holding its educational conference on May 18-19, 2007 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire.

Plenary presentations will address seizures in children and teenagers, brain development, the teen driver, recognition and management of the sleepy child, “the explosive child,” and obsessive compulsive disorder, immunizations, what’s new in insurance and metabolic syndrome. Workshops will address nutrition, headaches in children, sports medicine, advanced coding, mood disorders, asthma, obesity, malpractice and more.

To be added to the brochure mailing list or for additional information, contact ICAAP at 312/733-1026 or info@illinoisaap.com . Information is posted on the ICAAP Web site at http://www.illinoisaap.org/AnnualMeeting.htm.

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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING

** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31 FOR IAFP 2007 AWARDS NOMINATIONS!
1. The Family Physician of the Year Award
2. IAFP Media Award
3. Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year
4. Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year

Link to full information and nomination forms at http://www.iafp.com/PR/Award%20forms.htm

**TAR WARS
DON’T FORGET THE STATE POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 31!!
Link to full details and poster contest rules at: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/

**MEDICAID PCCM PROGRAM NOW MANDATORY IN COOK AND COLLAR COUNTIES
Illinois Health Connect is now mandatory in the Cook and Collar Counties (DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will). Mandatory Illinois Health Connect will follow in the Northwestern Region of Illinois and then in the Central and Southern Regions of the state.

Beginning February 16, 2007, client enrollment and choice education materials will be mailed to most HFS and All Kids Medical Card holders in the Cook and the Collar Counties requesting that they pick a medical home. Clients in the Managed Care (VMC) Counties will receive their choice education and enrollment packets from the Illinois Client Enrollment Broker. Clients in all other Counties will receive their enrollment packets from Illinois Health Connect.
For details, see http://www.illlinoishealthconnect.com.

**WANTED: PROJECT FACULTY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
NEW!! Teleconference option! Speakers Training teleconferences being held on the following dates. You are invited to join the faculty for either topics, or both!

1. Social and Emotional Development: Screening Strategies for Primary Care Physicians
March 14, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST

2. Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit:
Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment
March 21, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST

To register, e-mail Jayne Kittell at jkittell@iafp.com

CLASSIFIED ADS:

1. The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is seeking family physician faculty for our family medicine residency program, OB optional. The Department offers an on-site MPH program, faculty development, research opportunities, and numerous community health programs. Candidates should be board certified or board eligible. Rank is commensurate with qualifications.

Please send a cover letter and resume to Farion Williams, MD, Residency Program Director, Department of Family and Community Medicine; 1221 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104 or by email to farionw@uic.edu . Call 815-972-1030 for further information.
The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

2. Looking for FT/PT Family Physician in growing Orland Park office. Contact Dr. Susan Rife - fax CV to 708-873-1204, or phone 708-873-1187 for info. No OB required. Resident or seasoned FP welcome

3. CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for a Family Physician for our Champaign office. Call will be 1/9. Very busy practice. The clinic is looking for a highly motivated FP who wants to work hard and be rewarded for it. The ideal candidate will be B/C and have two years of experience. Starting salary could be $170K, with lucrative bonus potential. No OB. Metro population of 140,000. Extremely livable area. Home of the University of Illinois, with comfortable college town lifestyle and many cultural amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Send CV to Christopher Kashnig, Christie Clinic, 101 W. University, Champaign, IL 61820. Phone 217-366-5374. Fax 217-373-6872. e-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com.

If you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com