CAPITOL UPDATE: Governor makes 5th state-of-the-state address
Without committee assignments in either the House or Senate, most of the action this week came from Gov. Perry’s state-of-the-state address, bills filed and a long debate on House rules. One bill to watch is Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa’s fair contracting bill, Senate Bill 556. more...

ICD-10 implementation extended to 2013
HHS heard physicians’ concerns and extended the deadline to switch to ICD-10-CM outpatient diagnosis codes from 2011 to 2013. While this is a great start, don’t get too comfortable. Work toward a smooth transition starts now. more...

TAFP magazine: Plano practice upgrades to Medical Home 2.0
The latest edition of TEXAS FAMILY PHYSICIAN magazine, now available online, invites readers to explore the practice of Christopher Crow, M.D., M.B.A., where he and his colleagues took the medical home concept and made an entire functional medical village. Also in this issue, read a profile on TAFP’s 2008-2009 Family Physician of the Year, a practice management article on recovery audit contractors, an Academy update by TAFP CEO Tom Banning and more. Watch your mailboxes for the print edition this week. more...

American Heart Association to raise awareness for heart health
Promote cardiovascular disease awareness by wearing red on Friday, Feb. 6. Wear Red Day kicks off the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month, during which the association will provide lots of helpful resources for you and your patients. more...

EDUCATION UPDATE

Register online for the 2009 C. Frank Webber Lectureship
Make your plans today to join TAFP for the 2009 C. Frank Webber Lectureship on March 13 at the Austin Hilton Airport. This popular conference offers a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for the bargain price of $75 for members and $100 for non-members. The hotel group deadline at the Hilton is Feb. 19. more...