Health Policy News Archive
Please select the links below for complete Health Policy articles and updates from previous years. View Current Health Policy News
- Public Health Alerts
- Influenza Updates
- Practice Advisories
- National Updates
- Georgia Division of Public Health
Public Health Alerts
12.12.07 Trauma Action Team System Pushing for Reform
Most Georgians assume that when they or loved ones are seriously injured, the health care system will respond at the right time with the right resources. But in Georgia, that’s a risky assumption. Currently, the state’s trauma system is underfunded, overutilized and lacks the resources to meet the growing health care needs of the state’s more than 9 million residents. Sadly, there are major gaps in trauma coverage throughout the state — especially in South Georgia. As a result, hundreds of potentially salvageable trauma victims in Georgia are needlessly dying as they are unable to get to the right hospital at the right time. During the 2008 Georgia General Assembly, trauma stakeholders — including hospitals, trauma physicians, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel — will stand in unison with one resounding message: Georgia needs a trauma system now.
Read More from the Georgia Statewide Trauma Action Team
10.26.07 Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments to the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission.
View Press Release
Influenza Updates
12.10.07 Nominations for the Summit's 2008 Immunization Excellence Awards Now Open
The National Influenza Vaccine Summit (NIVS) is soliciting candidates for the 2008 NIVS Immunization Excellence Awards. The 2008 awards will recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions toward improved adult and/or childhood influenza vaccination rates within their communities.
The nomination form is due no later than January 17, 2008.
Download Nomination Form
12.05.07 National Influenza Vaccination Summit Update
The CDC has created a slide show detailing National Influenza Vaccination Week and its various campaign messages in support of flu vaccination.
View Slide Show
11.26.07 - 12.02.07 National Influenza Vaccination Week
The CDC has created podcasts, e-cards and other e-health activities to support this national effort to spread the word about getting annual flu shots. Click on the link below for their Web site.
11.19.07 Message from CDC for Health Care Professionals for National Influenza Vaccination Week
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges all health care professionals to get an influenza vaccination this flu season. While most people traditionally associate the "flu season" with the fall, the truth is that influenza disease activity most often peaks in January or later.
Read Dr. Julie L. Gerberding's Message
10.26.07 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for the U.S. (October 2007 - September 2008)
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) annually reviews the recommended Adult Immunization Schedule to ensure that the schedule reflects current recommendations for the licensed vaccines. In June 2007, ACIP approved the Adult Immunization Schedule for October 2007 -September 2008.
Schedule (In English and Spanish)
Adult Vaccinations
ACIP Statements for Specific Vaccines
Reporting Adverse Events
10.01.07 Assistant Surgeon General Releases Message to Public Health Partners Regarding Flu Season
Dear Public Health Colleagues and Partners:
While influenza season itself is unpredictable, we do know that new tools are needed each year to help educate the public and promote vaccination to groups at high risk. This year, the CDC is pleased to update you on a few new flu resources, in addition to our ongoing efforts.
Please use our newly revised, easy-to-navigate flu Web site: www.cdc.gov/flu as a resource both for yourself and for patients.
On the new Web site are free flu materials for this season. This year's emphasis is on high-risk children (such as those with asthma or diabetes) and their caregivers, as well as a focus on protecting infants and the elderly through family and community vaccination. Download Materials for Office or Commercial Printing
Finally, to help all of us understand the complex pathway from flu vaccine production to distribution for your clinic, there is a new "vodcast" available-you can watch it right on your computer, or download it to an iPod. Take a few minutes to see our very own Drs. Bill Atkinson and Larry Pickering in their starring roles with an "egg-citing" bonus: http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=6678>.
09.28.07 CSL Biotherapies announces FDA marketing approval of Afluria
CSL Biotherapies, a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading manufacturers of influenza vaccine, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Afluria® (influenza virus vaccine) for active immunization of persons age 18 years and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B present in the vaccine.
View Press Release
06.29.07 CDC Updates Influenza Immunization Recommendations
A newly-issued report updates the 2006 recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of influenza vaccine and antiviral agents. Principal updates and changes for 2007 include:
- Reemphasizing the importance of administering 2 doses of vaccine to all children aged 6 months to 8 years if they have not been vaccinated previously at any time, with single annual doses in subsequent years
- Recommending that children aged 6 months to 8 years who received only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination receive 2 doses the following year, with single annual doses in subsequent years
- Highlighting a previous recommendation that all persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others should be vaccinated
- Emphasizing that immunization providers should offer influenza vaccine and schedule immunization clinics throughout the influenza season
- Recommending that health-care facilities consider the level of vaccination coverage among HCP to be one measure of a patient safety quality program and implement policies to encourage HCP vaccination (e.g., obtaining signed statements from HCP who decline influenza vaccination)
- Using the 2007-2008 trivalent vaccine virus strains A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like (new for this season), A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigens.
Read more
01.27.07 Medical Association of Atlanta Pandemic Report
Dr. Michael P. Dailey's report on how best to deliver urgent care during pandemic flu conditions, as presented to the MAA.
View PDF
01.08.07 Issues of the Current Influenza Season
View American Medical News Article
01.02.07 Flu Vaccine Ordering Program
ASD Healthcare has launched CertiFluSM, a flu vaccine ordering program that ensures the quantity of vaccine ordered by the date needed. Features of CertiFlu include:
- No deposits required
- Orders may be placed online, by phone or by fax
- 100% of the order will arrive by the guarantee date
- Online order tracking
- All ASD Healthcare customers are eligible
Please contact ASD’s customer service flu team at 866.281.4FLU with your questions.
Read more
11.17.06 2006 National Influenza Vaccination Week
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the 2006 National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will run from November 27 to December 3.
For more information about NIVW, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw06.htm.
The CDC also has launched a Web site devoted to providing immunization stakeholders with information and resources to support fall/winter influenza vaccination: www.preventinfluenza.org.
Practice Advisories
12.12.07 Tiered and Narrow Physician Networks: How to Challenge your Profile or Placement
MAG's offices of the General Counsel and Third Party Payer Advocacy have teamed up with the AMA to disseminate a flyer giving tips on ways to challenge and improve your profile or placement.
Download Tiered Network Flyer
06.18.07 Reminder to Medical Practice Staff Regarding the ADA and Hearing Interpreters
MAG has received several inquiries regarding the compliance of the Americans with Disabilties Act and Hearing Interpreters. According to the AMA's Office of the General Counsel, the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability includes an obligation to make reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of patients with disabilites. This has been interpreted by some as creating a requirement that physicians provide and pay for the cost of hearing interpreters for their patients who are hearing disabled. While there will be instances where a physician must provide a hearing interpreter, there is no hard and fast requirement for the provision of such services.
Read more from the AMA
Read Federal Register
Read U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Frequently Asked Questions
03.14.07 2006 Non-Compliance Data for Hospitals
Data compiled and released by the Joint Commission.
Read more
04.02.06 MAG Issues Important Practice Advisory Regarding Utilization of In-Office Phlebotomists
It is a common business practice for physicians to allocate space in their offices to a phlebotomist who is employed by a clinical laboratory for the purpose of collecting and transmitting samples of bodily fluids, etc. for lab testing purposes. While having the services of a phlebotomist in the physician’s office is a cost effective way of securing lab samples, increasing the accessibility of medical testing and greatly increasing the chances that patients will comply with the physician’s order, there are some risks of which you should be aware.
Read more
National Updates
03.20.07 Improper Disposal of Unused Medication Sparks Creation of New Awareness Program
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) have joined forces to help protect our nation’s fish and aquatic resources from improper disposal of medication. Officials from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) signed a formal agreement today outlining how they will work cooperatively to build consumer awareness of the hazards posed by the improper disposal of unused and expired medications into the nation’s waterways. As part of the effort – dubbed “SMARxT DISPOSAL” – the USFWS and the APhA will work to publicize the potential environmental and health impacts of unused medications when they are flushed into our nation’s sewer systems.
Read more
02.01.06 "Reforming Health Care for the 21st Century"
Released by The White House National Economic Council, February 2006
View PDF
11.02.06 Update to HHS Limited English Proficiency Requirements
Department of Justice Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons.
Read more
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health
12.10.07 2007 Women’s Health in Georgia Report Released
The Georgia Division of Public Health has released the 2007 Women’s Health in Georgia report. It presents an overview of the current status of women’s health in Georgia with an emphasis on chronic conditions, risk factors, and preventive care.
Read the Full Report
01.14.05 DHR Names Acting Director of Public Health
ATLANTA – The Department of Human Resources (DHR) has named Dr. Stuart Brown as the acting director of the Division of Public Health. Brown is currently the acting health director for the DeKalb County Health District and brings with him more than two decades of invaluable public health experience that he feels will benefit the state as a whole.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to draw on my years of experience in public health to help serve Georgia at this level,” Brown said. “I look forward to teaming up with fellow DHR leadership and working through the many new and interesting challenges to come.”