ASA and FDA tele-town hall on drug shortages: December 5, 10-11 a.m. (EST)
Join ASA and senior officials from the FDA on a special telephone town hall about drug shortages, featuring an extensive question-and-answer session.

Time: Wednesday, December 5, 10 - 11 a.m. (EST)
Dial-in instructions: (888) 886-6603 Ext. 20584#

Visit the ASA website for more information.

House considers anesthesiologists' concerns on electronic health records (EHR)
In a busy post-election, lame duck session of Congress, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine current government health information technology initiatives and "meaningful use." Separately, Congresswoman Diane Black (R-TN) recently introduced the Electronic Health Records Improvements Act to improve the EHR Incentive Program.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposes rules on market reform, health benefits and wellness
The proposed rule on health insurance market reforms touched on the key issues of guaranteed availability, guaranteed renewability, risk pools and catastrophic plans. The second proposed rule detailed health insurance standards of coverage for essential health benefits, guidelines for the determination of actuarial value for benefits and an application process for accreditation of health plans as well as a timeline for when health plans must be accredited. The third proposed rule centered on the implementation and expansion of employee wellness programs.

ASA member appointed chair of The Joint Commission (TJC)
ASA President John M. Zerwas, M.D. congratulated ASA member Rebecca Patchin, M.D., who was appointed chair of the Board of Commissioners of TJC, one of the leading accrediting bodies for health care organizations and programs in the United States.

ASA resident receives top award from AMA
ASA resident Brian J. Telesz, M.D. received the top award in the clinical vignette poster category from the American Medical Association (AMA). His research, "Size matters: Low sputum volume may impact the sensitivity of acid-fast smear results," was presented during a research symposium at AMA's Interim Meeting.

ANESTHESIOLOGY^TM 2013 annual meeting education session submission deadline: December 4
Don't miss your opportunity to help shape the educational program for the ANESTHESIOLOGY^TM 2013 annual meeting. The submission deadline is December 4. For more information, contact j.jacobson@asahq.org.

Save the Date: PBLDs submission site opens December 10
The Committee on Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) invites submissions for the 2013 Annual Meeting PBLD program to be held in San Francisco. Submissions in each of the meeting tracks are being solicited and all cases must be submitted online by February 10, 2013.

Connect with AQI at PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 2013
The Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) continues to develop and maintain an ongoing registry of case data to help anesthesiologists assess and improve patient care. Connect with AQI for the latest news and updates at PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 2013, January 25-26 in Las Vegas.

Order the latest volume of SEE today
Stay up to date on the latest topics in anesthesia with the Self-Education and Evaluation (SEE) Program. Assess your understanding of some of the newest industry issues while also fulfilling CME requirements for MOCA^®. Order today.

2013 anesthesia coding resources now available
Accurately report, decrease audit liability and obtain proper payment with ASA's 2013 Relative Value Guide^® and CROSSWALK^® coding resources. Order now.

Earn a Certificate in Business Administration
Learn essential business skills to help you effectively manage your medical practice with the Certificate in Business Administration Program. Earn up to 60 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Space is limited. Register now.

Take advantage of ASA's wide variety of patient safety opportunities
ASA offers core and elective patient safety content to help fulfill the 20 CME credits required for MOCA^® . Fulfill core patient safety content with ASA's Fundamentals of Patient Safety Online CME course. Also take advantage of the variety of patient safety elective offerings such as the Patient Safety Modules and new Patient Safety Highlights 2012, which include sessions selected from the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2012 annual meeting. Learn more.

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December 5, 2012 
ASA and FDA tele-town hall on drug shortages

December 10, 2012 
PBLD submission site opens

December 19, 2012
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 2013 early-bird registration deadline

December 31, 2012
ANESTHESIOLOGY^TM 2012 annual meeting CME credit deadline

January 15, 2013 
ASA committee nomination deadline

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