News from Washington

Medicare Announces Mandatory Payment Reductions in the Fee-for-Service (FFS) Program For Claims Beginning April 1
Because the Congress was unable to reach an agreement on deficit reduction by March 1, by law automatic, across-the-board spending cuts known as "sequestration" have been triggered. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Medicare FFS claims with dates-of-service or dates-of-discharge on or after April 1, 2013, will incur a two percent reduction in Medicare payment. ASH continues to advocate for appropriate and stable Medicare physician reimbursement. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to join the Society's on-line advocacy campaign urging Congress to repeal the current payment formula and to find a balanced approach to deficit reduction. Read more.

Drug Shortage Update

ASH Submits Comments to FDA Regarding Strategic Plan for Drug Shortages
ASH submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the agency's request for comments on its strategic plan for drug shortages. ASH's recommendations focused on urging the FDA to include biologics in the early notification requirements; work more closely with other federal agencies to mitigate shortage problems; continue its current tactics to mitigate product shortages, but at a faster pace; and increase communication to specialty groups about shortage information. ASH's comments also address the negative impact drug and biologic shortages have on clinical research. Read more. Go to the ASH drug shortage information page for details about current shortages of hematologic therapies.

News from ASH

Nominations are Now Being Accepted for the ASH Practice Partnership
ASH recently launched an exciting new group - the ASH Practice Partnership (APP) - to help increase the voice of practicing hematologists and elevate practice-related issues within the Society. ASH would like to have every state in the United States represented in the APP. The ideal candidate is an ASH member, who is interested in hematology care issues, improving quality of care, engaging in new health care delivery systems, and practice management issues. APP members receive a variety of benefits, which include: helping to shape ASH's policies and programs, networking opportunities, early access to ASH products such as pocket guides, and discounts for ASH programs. Submit a nomination.

Earn CME Credits from Blood
ASH, in partnership with Medscape, provides monthly opportunities to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits by completing an Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accredited activity in Blood. This month's activity is titled "Integrated Mutational and Cytogenetic Analysis Identifies New Prognostic Subgroups in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia." 

Save the Date for the 2013 ASH State-of-the-Art Symposium
It's never too early to start planning to attend the 2013 ASH State-of-the-Art Symposium (SAS). Hear the latest clinical research updates in hematology and enjoy networking opportunities with colleagues and experts. This year's dates and locations are September 27-28, 2013, in Chicago, IL, and October 11-12, 2013, in Los Angeles, CA. Visit www.hematology.org/SAS13 for more information.

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