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Happy
Holidays!
COLLEAGUES
–
As
the
year
comes
to
an
end,
we
tend
to
look
back
at
the
year
that
was.
The
TAFP
Executive
Committee
met
earlier
this
month
and
did
just
that.
We
reviewed
finances
and
activities
to
see
what
we
accomplished
in
2005
and
we
also
looked
ahead
to
the
exciting
things
that
2006
will
bring.
Our
Academy
continues
to
provide
excellent
education
on
clinical
and
non-clinical
topics.
In
addition
to
providing
great
CME
for
us,
the
education
program
provides
revenue
that
supports
the
other
activities
of
TAFP.
This
year,
the
five
annual
symposia
reached
over
1,300
attendees
and
the
PrimeCME
programs
reached
over
3,000
attendees.
We
also
had
two
very
successful
EHR
conferences
to
help
prepare
members
for
the
transition
to
electronic
health
records.
Our
InterNetCME
program
provides
FREE
CME
in
the
comfort
of
our
homes.
Currently
there
are
11
lectures
on
the
site
and
new
topics
will
continue
to
be
added.
Expect
more
of
the
same
high-quality,
low-cost
CME
in
2006.
Be
on
the
lookout
for
a
new
program
that
will
be
presented
in
2006
focusing
on
coding
and
practice
management.
As
I
am
sure
that
you
are
aware,
TAFP
has
a
very
robust
advocacy
program.
During
the
79th
regular
legislative
session,
TAFP
tracked
more
than
1,100
bills
relating
to
a
variety
of
issues
including
Medicaid
delivery
system
reform,
managed
care
reform,
GME
financing,
Workers’
Comp
reform,
a
host
of
public
health
initiatives,
the
sunset
of
the
Texas
State
Board
of
Medical
Examiners
(now
called
the
Texas
Medical
Board)
and
other
allied
health
boards.
During
the
two
special
sessions,
TAFP
worked
to
educate
legislators
on
the
impact
of
additional
taxes
to
physician
practices
and
services.
TAFP
leaders
provided
testimony
on
a
range
of
issues
to
ensure
that
the
concerns
of
family
physicians
and
their
patients
were
heard.
TAFP
will
not
take
a
break
during
the
interim;
legislative
staff
will
continue
working
on
regulatory
issues
with
the
Texas
Health
and
Human
Services
Commission,
Texas
Medical
Board
and
other
state
agencies
to
implement
statutory
changes
made
during
the
79th
legislative
session.
I’ve
appreciated
hearing
from
members
throughout
the
last
few
months.
I
want
to
assure
you
that
we
hear
your
concerns
about
managed
care
issues
such
as
bundling
and
contractual
imbalances.
We
are
also
aware
of
how
some
practices
have
faced
significant
increases
in
their
liability
insurance
premiums
because
of
procedural
services
they
offer
their
patients.
TAFP
will
work
with
all
possible
parties
in
an
attempt
to
see
that
family
physicians’
interests
are
fairly
represented.
Thank
you
for
your
continued
membership.
The
staff
and
leadership
could
not
accomplish
what
we
have
without
the
support
of
the
almost
4,000
active
members
across
the
state.
Please
continue
to
share
your
thoughts,
concerns
and
frustrations
with
me
by
e-mailing
president@tafp.org.
Sincerely,
Tim
Coleridge,
D.O.
President
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