Primary Care Coalition releases new report that examines Texas’ broken health care system
TAFP and its partners in the Primary Care Coalition released a report today that details Texas’ broken health care system and gives recommendations for how we can mend it. The answer? Invest in primary care. more …

HHS announces deadline for transition to ICD-10 codes
Within three years, physicians must transition to a set of procedure-reporting codes containing more than 10 times the amount of combinations currently available. With the new codes come new electronic transaction standards. Read more about these provisions and why some groups say we need more time to make the switch. more …

CMS: 2007 PQRI feedback reports now available
Physicians who reported PQRI quality measures to Medicare can now access the 2007 feedback reports. Find out how. more …

Coming soon: Tell us what you think in TAFP’s medical home survey
Watch your e-mail inbox in the next week to give your comments on the patient-centered medical home, a model of care anchored by a personal physician who leads a team to coordinate all aspects of a patient’s preventive, acute and chronic care needs. Learn more about the medical home concept here.

Get involved in the fight against tobacco with Tar Wars
Updated program guide now available
The updated 2008-2009 Tar Wars program guide is now available for download on the program materials page of the Tar Wars Web site. Even if you already have the program guide, it’s important to download each year for AAFP to track participation. For more information on joining the Tar Wars effort and to download the new program guide, go to www.tarwars.org.

Learn about vaccines at the Texas Immunization Summit 2008
Register today to attend the 2008 Texas Immunization Summit sponsored by the Houston Area Immunization Partnership and learn more about executing the mission of public health while also keeping your business viable. The conference will be held Nov. 14-15 in Austin. more …

MEMBER NEWS

Affected by Ike? Assistance available from AAFP, survey from TMA
Family physicians affected by Hurricane Ike can apply for aid from AAFP to rebuild their practices. Also, the Texas Medical Association has put out a call for stories from the storm and is helping the Catastrophic Medical Operations Center determine the medical resources available in Southeast Texas. more …

Say “yes” to the work of the AAFP Foundation through dues check-off
When you renew your 2009 AAFP membership dues, consider supporting the mission of the AAFP Foundation by “checking-off” the $50 amount on the form. A gift to the Foundation also supports the Family Medicine Philanthropic Consortium, a group of Academy Chapters and Chapter Foundations responsible for annual programs that advance family medicine. The FMPC supports TAFP and TAFP Foundation initiatives including Hard Hats for Little Heads. more …

TAFP member talks about “STDs and everyday people” in book
Jill Grimes, M.D., a family physician in Austin, will release a book in the fall called “Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs,” which details stories and facts about how even “beautiful, educated people” can hear the dreaded diagnosis that they have an STD. more …

EDUCATION UPDATE

Despite Ike, Primary Care Summit will continue as scheduled
Sign up for SAM workshop on depression
With very minimal damage to the Westin Oaks hotel, TAFP’s Primary Care Summit will go on as scheduled in Houston Oct. 17-19. TAFP will offer a Self-Assessment Module on depression to aid family physicians in fulfilling their ABFM maintenance of certification. Sign up for the SAM workshop only or the whole conference by going to www.tafp.org to reserve your spot.