April 9, 2007

Law Professor: Scale Back Politics In Judicial Elections
Next Medical Legal Committee Meeting: May 10
CMS Announces NPI Deadline Extension
Our Bodies, Our Health
House Subcommittee Approves More 'Healthy Michigan Fund' Dollars
Michigan Surgeon General Lands At HFHS
Trinity, HFHS Agree To Explore Ford's Sole Ownership of St. Joe Healthcare In Clinton Township
Talk Issues With Lawmakers At Meet-n-Greet April 19
Detroit Receiving Physician Edits Urology Text

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Law Professor: Scale Back Politics In Judicial Elections

By PAUL NATINSKY
Michigan needs to stop allowing political parties to nominate state Supreme Court Justices and elect them on a strictly non-partisan basis, as is the case with all other state judges. This was the message delivered by Wayne State University Law Professor Robert Sedler, JD, to the Medical Legal Committee meeting at WCMSSM Headquarters April 5.

While methods for selecting judges vary considerably from state to state, Michigan has a long "populist" tradition of electing its judges, said Sedler. A state legislative panel is reviewing Michigan's process and considering changes. Currently, Supreme Court Justices must be nominated by a party, making them beholden, to some extent, to the party's politics rather than their own judicial philosophy, said Sedler, who recently testified before the committee.

Organized medicine in Michigan, largely through MSMS, supported several current judges who are supportive of medical liability reforms passed in the early 1990s. That group includes Chief Justice Cliff Taylor who is up for reelection in 2008.

Sedler said the medical liability debate has shaped allegiances for both physicians' and trial lawyers. Physicians have sided with Republicans, four out of five current Republicans on the Court (which also contains two Democrats) were appointed by liability reform zealot John Engler when he was governor. Trial lawyers tend to support Democrats, who generally lean toward measures that strengthen plaintiffs' rights.

Sedler said Democrats are likely to campaign heavily against Taylor, whose defeat in 2008 could swing the balance of the court.

Whether there will be any changes to the process remains to be seen. Sedler agreed that the current system makes it easier for interest groups, such as MSMS but also trial lawyers, to influence the judicial process. It also makes it simpler to for Supreme Court judicial candidates to raise money.

Next Medical Legal Committee Meeting: May 10

Medical Legal Committee Meeting

May 10, 2007
7:30am

WCMSSM Headquarters
New Center One Building
3031 West Grand Blvd, Suite #490
Detroit, MI 48202

Presenters:
Topic: Financial Planning
Keith Lublin, Fifth Third Bank
Gary Newstead, Fifth Third Bank

CMS Announces NPI Deadline Extension

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that it is initiating a contingency plan that extends the compliance date for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) from May 23, 2007 to May 23, 2008. Physician practices, covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), are required to get NPIs for the organization and their providers, and submit those numbers on all HIPAA electronic standard transactions, including claims. Medicare is requiring use of the NPI on the revised paper 1500 claim form.

This contingency plan announcement mirrors MGMA's recommendation to CMS in testimony before a federal advisory panel in January.

The CMS enforcement process is complaint driven and will allow covered entities to demonstrate good faith efforts and employ contingency plans. If a complaint is filed against a covered entity, CMS will evaluate the entity's "good faith efforts" to comply with the standards and would not impose penalties on covered entities that have deployed contingencies to ensure that the smooth flow of payment continues. Each covered entity will determine the specifics of its contingency plan. Contingency plans may not extend beyond May 23, 2008, but entities may elect to end their contingency plans sooner. Medicare will announce its own contingency plan shortly.

The NPI contingency plan permits Medicare and commercial insurers to continue accepting legacy provider identification numbers until May 23, 2008. To avoid payment disruption after the compliance date, physician practices should strive to enumerate their providers and update practice management systems to accommodate both NPIs and legacy identifiers. To facilitate billing, practices should send their NPIs to all industry partners that require them.

MGMA has resources to assist you:

MGMA NPI frequently asked questions
MGMA NPI sample letter
MGMA NPI archived Webcast
Read the full CMS contingency plan announcement.
Access CMS NPI resources.

Our Bodies, Our Health

Altarum Institute Speakers Series
at the Detroit Science Center
MARCH–JUNE 2007
Altarum is proud to join the Detroit Science Center in presenting
the “Our Bodies, Our Health” Altarum Institute Speakers Series.
Each event in the series has been designed to enhance your
visit to the “Our Body: The Universe Within” exhibit at the Detroit
Science Center while also encouraging you to think in new ways
about your body, the systems that provide you care and the
many benefi ts of better health.
Thank you for joining us for this thought provoking
and educational speakers series.
Scheduled Events:

APRIL 26, 2007 Our Health, Our Workforce
8 a.m. Can Michigan Make Employee Health
a Competitive Advantage?

MAY 3, 2007 Our Health, Our Bones
7 p.m. Why Should Bone Health Matter to You?

MAY 24, 2007 Our Health, Our Weight
7 p.m. Preventing Obesity in Children, Where Do
We Begin?

JUNE 14, 2007 Our Health, Our Genes
7 p.m. Does Family History Accurately Predict
Your Future Health?

To Learn More
Visit www.altarum.org
For questions regarding the “Our Bodies, Our Health” Altarum
Institute Speakers Series, contact Jeff Moore, Altarum’s Chief
Development Officer, at jeff.moore@altarum.org or call
(703) 575-1685.

ABOUT ALTARUM INSTITUTE
Altarum is a non-profit health systems research institute,
headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We provide independent
research, objective analysis, tailored technical assistance,
and consulting expertise to support the delivery of
high quality care to individuals, families, local communities,
members of the military, and veterans across our nation.

House Subcommittee Approves More 'Healthy Michigan Fund' Dollars

The proposed state budget continues to "morph." Here is the status of the House bill: Last week in the state legislature, the House Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee passed a measure that would, among other things, increase spending for the Healthy Michigan Fund, which funds the state's immunization registry and other preventive health programs. The measure, which is the largest of the budget bills outside of K-12 school aid, is $318 million more than the current year's budget, but is $24 million less than what Gov. Jennifer Granholm has called for in her executive budget recommendation. The general fund portion of the budget would total almost $3 billion. Major changes in the budget include funding all the Healthy Michigan Fund programs (including the state's immunization registry), thereby rejecting the governor's proposal to cut funding to 22 different projects. The budget also eliminates funding for the Michigan Health Information Technology Project in southeast Michigan. Furthermore, the budget presumes savings of $23.9 million total, $10 million in general funds, under a federal program that requires that all Medicaid recipients have their citizenship verified. The bill now moves to the full House Appropriations Committee. For more information, contact Colin Ford at MSMS at (517) 336-5737 or cford@msms.org. Also, visit www.msms.org/advocacy

Michigan Surgeon General Lands At HFHS

Michigan Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, - the nation’s first state-level surgeon general - is joining Henry Ford Health System as vice president of Community Health, Education and Wellness.

As a private-public sector executive, Dr. Wisdom’s time allocation will be shared between Henry Ford and the state of Michigan. She began her dual role April 2.

“During this challenging economic time we must identify creative solutions to ensure we are doing all we can to promote and protect the health of Michigan citizens,” said Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.

“This partnership will allow Dr. Wisdom to continue the critical work she is doing to promote healthy lifestyles across Michigan while saving taxpayer dollars. I applaud the commitment of Henry Ford Health System and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to create a healthy Michigan.”

Last week, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation agreed to fund the Surgeon General’s proposal working with middle school students predominantly in the Detroit area and Benton Harbor. The Foundation is interested in testing the sustainability of a “private-public” partnership for the role of state surgeon general, and as such will fully fund Dr. Wisdom’s continued state role.

In her new position at Henry Ford, Dr. Wisdom will lead quality initiatives to address health care equity and health disparities; and provide clinical leadership to community, health literacy and diversity initiatives.

“In her role at Henry Ford, Dr. Wisdom will be able to test and disseminate best practices in which the private sector can help to shape and implement public policy on prevention, healthy lifestyles, and reducing health disparities,” says Nancy Schlichting, president and chief executive officer for Henry Ford Health System.

“Her continued tenure as surgeon general will be enhanced by her ‘on-the-ground’ experience in Detroit and southeastern Michigan which can impact state-level public policy,” she adds.

Dr. Wisdom will continue to lead Michigan Steps Up, the statewide healthy-lifestyles campaign she launched in 2004 with the Michigan Department of Community Health and hundreds of community organizations. Her ongoing state work also will include related initiatives such as the Kellogg-funded middle school project and the National Governors Association Healthy Workplaces program.

Her work in support of Governor Granholm’s initiatives for health care access, and the Governor’s Blueprint for Preventing Unintended Pregnancies will also continue, says Janet Olszewski, director of Michigan Department of Community Health.

“Health disparities anywhere in our state affect us everywhere in the state,” Dr. Wisdom says. “I am grateful for the increased opportunity we will now have, through this ‘private-public’ partnership, working together to find new ways to close racial and ethnic gaps in health outcomes, improve health care access, and encourage prevention and healthy lifestyles for all Michigan’s residents.

“The resources of Henry Ford Health System and the shared commitment of our Governor along with expertise from state and local public health will move us forward,” she adds. “This ‘local-motion’ will fuel innovation that can measurably impact health and well-being not only regionally, but also at the policy level for our state and nation.”

Since her 2003 gubernatorial appointment as the nation’s first state surgeon general, Dr. Wisdom has led Michigan’s public health promotion and disease prevention efforts as well as advocating for community-based health.

Before joining the state of Michigan, Dr. Wisdom was an emergency medicine physician at Henry Ford who, also founded and directed Henry Ford’s Institute on Multicultural Health.

Trinity, HFHS Agree To Explore Ford's Sole Ownership of St. Joe Healthcare In Clinton Township

Trinity Health and Henry Ford Health System, which each own 50 percent of St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Clinton Township, announced last week that they have entered into a non-binding agreement to develop the sale of Trinity Health’s half-interest to Henry Ford.

As joint-venture partners since 1990, Henry Ford Health System and Trinity Health have collaborated to improve the range of services provided by St. Joseph’s and to continuously examine methods to improve health care delivery. Both Henry Ford and Trinity Health are not-for-profit health systems with missions, visions and values that align well with St. Joseph’s long and proud history of serving the community.

The agreement between the two health care systems provides the structure for an in-depth review of the proposed purchase. The goal is to complete the due diligence during the next few months and, if the decision is made to proceed, to finalize an agreement by early summer.

If the sale is finalized, Henry Ford Health System is committed to continuing St. Joseph’s strong and successful model of care, including its private practice medical staff, leadership team and associates known for their commitment to quality and advanced clinical services.

“Both parties in this 17-year joint venture believe the residents of Macomb County would be well served by a single owner that can fully invest resources to build and strengthen this comprehensive regional medical center, expand its services in the community, and strategically position it as a leading health care provider in a growing community,” says Michael Slubowski, president, Hospital and Health Networks, Trinity Health. “We remain fully committed to providing health care services in metro Detroit.”
Trinity Health currently operates St. Joseph Mercy - Oakland in Pontiac, St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia and the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, Saline and Howell, Mercy Hospital in Port Huron, nursing homes, senior housing and home care.

Says Nancy Schlichting, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, “Henry Ford has been caring for families in this community for decades. We believe that fully owning St. Joseph’s would allow us to better serve the growing communities of central and northern Macomb County, while strengthening our regional health system.”

Henry Ford currently operates four medical centers in Macomb County, owns hospitals in Detroit, Wyandotte, Warren and Ferndale, and is building a 300-bed hospital in West Bloomfield.

“Henry Ford is committed to St. Joseph’s future,” said Bob Riney, Henry Ford’s chief operating officer. “We are excited about investing in new facilities, programs and technology to continue St. Joseph’s premier reputation as the hospital of choice in Macomb County.”

St. Joseph’s, established in 1899 by the Cincinnati-based Sisters of Charity, was acquired in 1990 by Mercy Health Services (now Trinity Health) and Henry Ford Health System in an innovative joint venture. Although managed by Trinity Health, St. Joseph’s has multiple clinical relationships with Henry Ford, including affiliations with its nationally recognized Heart & Vascular Institute and Josephine Ford Cancer Center.

Further information will be made available once the discussions are completed.

Talk Issues With Lawmakers At 'Meet-n-Greet' April 19

MSMS will hold the 10th annual Greater Detroit Meet-n-Greet on Thursday, April 19, 6:30-9:00 p.m., at Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen in Detroit's Greektown. This event is designed to foster a connection between the medical community from the greater Detroit metropolitan area and their state lawmakers. Also, participants will have the opportunity to discuss health care legislation and state budget issues. (View the 2007 MSMS Legislative Agenda online at www.msms.org/legagenda.) Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be available during the event, which will be co-sponsored by MSMS, the Detroit Medical Society, Wayne County Medical Society, and Wayne County Osteopathic Society. To RSVP, contact Anne Lavender at MSMS at (517) 336-5736 or alavender@msms.org. For more information about state legislative advocacy, contact Colin Ford at MSMS at (517) 336-5737 or cford@msms.org. Or visit www.msms.org/advocacy.

Detroit Receiving Physician Edits Urology Text

Richard A. Santucci, MD, FACS, Detroit Receiving’s chief of urology, is the co-editor of a new book titled, “Emergencies in Urology.” The book, representing the most comprehensive guide to urologic emergencies, will be available for purchase May 21, 2007, and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Key points about the book include:
· All the figures in the book are drawn by Stephan Springer, the world’s preeminent urologic illustrator.
· There is a wide scope of authors from around the world.
· There is also an all-encompassing scope of topic, with an attempt to discuss all possible urologic emergencies.
· A section of "vignettes" where the world renowned urologists share additional insights and clinical expertise with the reader.

Dr. Santucci, an associate professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, is one of the few Fellowship-trained reconstructive urologists in the country. He completed his clinical Fellowship with Jack McAninch, MD, at the University of California-San Francisco, and a basic science Fellowship sponsored by the National Institutes of Health at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Co-editor Markus Hohenfellner, is a highly regarded and well known urologist, and serves as the chairman of urology at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.

This publication brought to you by Natinsky Publishing Network.

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