MSOA member William Allen, MD’s research on “Post-traumatic Catamenial Sciatica” published in Orthopedics.
05.05.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=27104

Research by MSOA members Matthew J. Smith, MD; J. Douglas Haltom, MD; Barry J. Gainor, MD entitled “Effects of Anticoagulation on Wound Healing Using a Tensile Test” published in Orthopedics
04.28.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=27828

MSOA member Dr. Matthew Dobbs noted in Scottish newspaper: 'Health: A step in the right direction'
04.23.08

The full article: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Health-A-step-in-the.3998076.jp

MU's Sonny Bal, M.D. writes in Orthopedics Today: 'Surgeon characteristics and medical malpractice: Are orthopedists at risk?'
04.10.08

The full article: www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=27489

Supreme Court Rules on Staff Guidelines
04.10.08

MO Supreme Court rules medical staff members may sue hospitals over privileging disputes if the facilities fail to follow staff guidelines. See Robert C. Egan, MD, v. St. Anthony's Medical Center. MO Supreme Court, Feb 5, 2008.

Register today for the MSOA 39th Annual Meeting
03.24.08

Hear firsthand from surgeons with orthopaedic experience overseas. Discuss innovative care with leaders in their field involving tibial plateau fractures, lower extremity fractures in children, and unique injury patterns in the over-40 adult. Hear the latest about surgical centers and ancillary services. Learn new ways of effective communication with patients of diverse backgrounds. Click here to register today.

MU’s Sonny Bal’s article “Medical liability and the loss-of-chance doctrine: Is failure to diagnose negligence?” featured in Orthopedics Today.
03.25.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=26716

MSOA member John Krause, M.D.’s article “Acute Isolated Lateral Leg Compartment Syndrome Following a Peroneus Longus Muscle Tear” featured in Orthopedics.
03.25.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=26429

MSOA member Sonny Bal featured in news article: "New idea aims to help old knees"
03.03.08

The full article: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Mar/20080302News004.asp

Coming soon! Employment Center
02.26.08

Look for the new orthopaedic employment center which will be accesses through the MSOA website. Employers will be able to post notices of available positions. Job-seekers will be able to post resumes confidentially and free. Another valuable service brought to you by MSOA.

MSOA member Lawrence Page, M.D. featured on ABC KSPR (Springfield).
02.25.08

The full article: http://www.kspr.com/news/local/15795222.html

MU's Dr. Sonny Bal's offers practice management advice in "Deferred prosecution agreement: Can it improve surgeon-patient communication?" in Orthopedics Today.
02.05.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=26133

MU Curators Approve Changes to Orthopaedic Institute
02.04.08

The full article: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Feb/20080202News004.asp

MSOA member Dr. Greg Della Rocca of MU addresses traffic injuries
01.22.08

The full article: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/01/13/traffic-deaths-down-ahead-schedule/

Washington University’s Dr. Richard Gelberman co-authors study of proximal row carpectomy in Orthopedics 2008; 31:75
01.16.08

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=25360

Governor Blunt Proposes Rate Increase for MO HealthNet Physicians
01.14.08

Gov. Matt Blunt has proposed a nearly $53 million rate increase for physicians who treat lower-income Missourians. Blunt's proposal amounts to a 10 percent increase in the reimbursement rates paid to doctors who participate in Missouri's Medicaid program, now called MO HealthNet. Currently, physicians' rates are 55 percent of rates for the federal Medicare program for senior citizens and disabled.

During debate on the MO HealthNet plan, MSOA's 2007 President Jason Calhoun testified at the MSOA Lobby Day that Medicaid reimbursement rates should be brought up to a reasonable reimbursement rate before implementing mandatory pay-for-performance penalties and incentives at the state level.

The proposed increase would raise MO HealthNet reimbursement rates to a minimum of 65 percent of the Medicare rates. Last year, a $66.1 million for physician-related rate increases brought reimbursement rates to a minimum of 55 percent of Medicare rates, an average increase of 13 percent.

The increase, which would cost the state $52.8 million, would raise MO HealthNet rates to a minimum of 65 percent of Medicare rates. As of October 2007, MO HealthNet had 829,472 enrollees statewide.

MSOA has consistenly requested a moratorium on Missouri-based "pay-for-performance" until Medicaid reimbursement rates are at least 100% of Medicare or private insurance. MO HealthNet legislation calls for reimbursements rates to be brought up to 100 percent of Medicare rates in five years.

New dynamic brace may improve compliance with clubfoot correction
12.17.07

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=22581

New casting technique with minimal surgical releases effective for congenital vertical talus
12.17.07

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=21493

MSOA members meet with Senator Kit Bond
11.05.07

MSOA members met with U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri) recently at the MU Tiger’s football game. Dr. Theodore “Ted” Choma and Dr. John Miles met with Sen. Bond thank him for his support on issues important to orthopaedic surgeons. They also presented a $5,000 contribution to Bond from “The Orthopaedic PAC” on behalf of every orthopaedic physician in Missouri. Dr. Choma is director of The Spine Center at the University of Missouri. Dr. Miles is a spine surgeon from Columbia Orthopaedic Group.

Thanks to Dr. Choma and Dr. Miles for representing the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association and thanks to Sen. Bond for supporting orthopaedic physicians and surgeons.

Dr. Grantham re-elected to the AAOS Board of Councilors.
11.05.07

Dr. Jonathon Grantham has been re-elected by acclamation to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Councilors. Dr. Grantham recently completed his first term on the BOC as one of two BOC members from Missouri. Councilors from Missouri may serve a maximum of two 3-year terms. Grantham joins Dr. Dirk Alander as Missouri’s two councilors on the BOC.

MU's Dr. Sonny Bal studies industry practices in "Department of Justice kickback settlement: How will it affect you?" in Orthopedics Today.
11.03.07

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=24605

Research by MSOA member Dr. Sonny Bal published in recent Journal of Knee Surgery
10.31.07

The full article: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rid=24456

New Hope for Knee Pain Sufferers
10.12.07

The full article: http://www.showmenews.com/2007/Oct/20071011News009.asp

Notice of Nominations and Election to the AAOS Board of Councilors
10.01.07

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has notified the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association that the 1st Term for Jonathan L. Grantham, MD on the AAOS Board of Councilors will expire on March 6, 2008.  Dr. Grantham has expressed his desire and willingness to serve another term.

According to AAOS, “The election to re-elect or replace the Councilor must be held by December 20, 2007 and the Department of Medical Affairs notified of the results no later than January 5, 2008.” 

According to the MSOA By-Laws, Article V, Section 4: “When directed by the AAOS, one or more Councilors to the AAOS Board of Councilors will be nominated from members active in the MSOA and election for a term of 3 years with 1 re-election.  The nominee must be a member of the Academy.  Any member of the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association may nominate and vote for the councilor(s).”

BOC ELECTION PROCEDURE

The MSOA Board of Directors has approved the following election procedure to provide notice and opportunity to all MSOA members:

1. Notice of MSOA’s election to re-elect or replace the Councilor will be posted in Membership Renewal packets mailed to all MSOA Members. 
2. Additional nominations to the BOC will be open for 15 days.  Nominations must be received by MSOA in writing no later than October 15, 2007.
3. If additional nominations are received, official ballots will be distributed to all MSOA Members in the 4th Quarter Newsletter.  A membership label will be included on the Official Ballot to avoid duplicate balloting. 
4. Ballots must be received by MSOA within 30 days.  Ballots must be received by mail or facsimile no later than November 20, 2007. 
5. Ballots received by MSOA are retained for inspection by any member upon request.
6. If additional nominations are not received, the incumbent Councilor will be re-elected by acclamation.

NOMINATIONS

Nominations to the BOC are declared open from October 1 until October 15, 2007.

• Nominees to the Board of Councilors must be members active in the MSOA.
• The nominee must be a member of the Academy. 
• Any member of the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association may nominate and vote for the councilor(s).

NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MSOA IN WRITING NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2007, IN CARE OF:

Missouri State Orthopaedic Association
P.O. Box 2124
Jefferson City, MO 65201
Or via facsimile to: 573-761-0449

MSOA Member Dr. Bill Allen Featured in the Columbia Tribune
10.01.07

The full article: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Oct/20071001Feat002.asp

Washington University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital open Chesterfield orthopedic center
08.29.07

Washington University Orthopedics and Barnes-Jewish Hospital have completed construction of a new $13 million outpatient orthopedic facility. The new Washington University Orthopedics and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Outpatient Orthopedic Center opens with its first full clinic day July 30. The first surgical procedure took place on July 25.

The full article: http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9757.html

Second orthopedics facility gets OK
08.02.07

With a new orthopedic medical facility already going up in east Columbia, University of Missouri Health Care is readying to build another.

At a meeting this week in Marceline, UM Board of Curators gave a thumbs up to schematic designs for the $45 million Orthopaedic Institute. The nearly 90,000-square-foot building with a glass, metal and concrete exterior will rise along Monk Drive, north of Stadium Boulevard and just behind the Ronald McDonald House.

Columbia Daily Tribune: http://www.showmenews.com/2007/Jul/20070729News007.asp

MSOA Past-President Jason Calhoun Noted in Washington Post Article
07.10.07

Washington Post: Resilient Infections Worry Military Doctors

MSOA hosts 38th Annual Meeting
06.05.07

The Missouri State Orthopaedic Association held its 38th Annual Meeting on June 1-2, 2007, at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. The meeting had record attendance from both physicians and sponsors.

On Friday, the 4th Annual MSOA Legislative Reception featured Missouri's United States Senator Claire McCaskill and a bi-partisan group of lawmakers from the Missouri House and Missouri Senate. On Saturday, conference attendees participated in continuing medical education sessions and learned about the latest technology available to orthopaedic physicians and consumers.

Pictures available here.

MSOA selects new board of directors
06.05.07

The Missouri State Orthopaedic Association has elected a new slate of officers to lead the organization in 2007 and 2008.  Michael Grillot, M.D. will serve as MSOA President. Dr.Grillot is a hand surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists of Springfield in Springfield, Missouri. 

MSOA members also elected Ken Yamaguchi, M.D. to the Board of Directors for a three-year term. Dr. Yamaguchi is the Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Service at the Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in St. Louis, Missouri. 

They will join the board of directors currently serving the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association, including:

MSOA leads delegation to National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
05.09.07

The Missouri State Orthopaedic Association was well-represented at the AAOS National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 2-4. MSOA leaders met with Missouri's federal Congressional delegation to advocate for Medicare patient access to orthopaedic care and a fix to the physician payment formula. Missouri delegates also discussed orthopaedic trauma and new bacteria from Iraq.

Representing Missouri at the NOLC were: BOC Counselor Dirk Alander, M.D.; chief of spine at Saint Louis University; BOC Counselor Jon Grantham, M.D., a private-practice doctor from Joplin; BOC Fellow Matthew Dobbs, M.D., a pediatric orthopaedic physician at Washington University; and BOC Fellow Sonny Bal, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon from the University of Missouri-Columbia. MSOA Directors Brian Treece and Mary Phillips led the delegation to Capitol Hill.

MSOA met with Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Columbia), U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-St. Louis), and the staff of U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Lexington) and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Springfield).

Pictures available here.

Calhoun featured in orthopaedic surgery journal
09.11.06

Jason Calhoun, M.D., co-authored the cover story in the April 2006 issue of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Bulletin. Calhoun is the President of the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at MU's School of Medicine.

Calhoun is also photographed in the article, title "Beyond the Battlefield." He wrote the article, "Extremity War Injuries: State of the Art and Future Directions" with Andrew Pollak, M.D., an associate professor of orthopaedics at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The article focused on the AAOS and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association's symposium on managing extremity trauma, held in January in Washington, D.C. The event drew more than 100 participants and addressed wound management, antibiotics and infection, stabilization of long bones, management of segmental bone defects and amputee care.

Read the article online at http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/bulletin/apr06/feature1.htm.

Save the date: June 1-2, 2007
09.11.06

MSOA's 38th Annual Meeting will be held on June 1-2, 2007 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. The Chase Park Plaza is conveniently located near St. Louis' Forest Park and the Central West End. The Annual Meeting will feature a mix of scientific presentations, socio-economic discussions, and legislative updates. Please mark your calendars for this important meeting.

Coming soon... 2007 membership renewals and certificates
09.11.06

Membership certificates for the 2007 year will be sent to all active MSOA members in October. Active members in good standing will receive a personalized membership certificate embossed with MSOA's official seal in silver foil along with a membership renewal notice. Members are encouraged to display their membership certificate in their offices.

MSOA Directors Phillips and Treece honored by AAOS
05.15.06

MSOA Directors Mary Phillips and Brian Treece have been awarded the Executive Director of the Year Award by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Treece and Phillips were honored at the 2006 NOLC Annual Banquet in Washington, D.C. on May 5. The award is based upon the notable success of the executive director in projects and programs, including membership recruitment and retention, communications and public relations work, new projects and programs, legislative and regulatory endeavors; the impact of the work of the executive director on their state orthopaedic society; the creativity and innovations of the executive director; and the beneficial effect of the work, projects, programs on other state societies. TreecePhillips, LLC was nominated for the award by Dr. Doug Kiburz.

"Our executive directors are a shining example of proficiency and professionalism," said Dr. Kiburz. "Without their leadership our list of 'things we'd like to see happen' would be just that."

Governor Blunt Declares October 12-20 as Bone and Joint Decade National Awareness Week

Gov. Matt Blunt has declared October 12-20, 2005, as Bone and Joint Decade National Awareness Week. National Awareness Week is held every year on the same dates. The Governor will issue a special proclamation to promote bone and joint health in Missouri.

The object of Gov. Blunt's recognition of National Awareness Week is to re-enforce and renew Missouri's support of Bone and Joint Decade and draw particular attention to highlighting patient education activities during National Awareness Week.

In the United States:

• Musculoskeletal conditions cost our society an estimated $300 billion every.
• 1 out of 3 American adults reports arthritis or chronic joint symptoms.
• 36.9 million Americans incur a musculoskeletal injury every year.
• More than half of all injuries are to the musculoskeletal system.

MSOA hopes National Awareness Week will encourage local community awareness events promoting greater knowledge of musculoskeletal prevention activities and treatment options, as well as media coverage and interviews.

To find out more about the Bone and Joint Decade, visit the web site at www.usbjd.org.

Missouri Medical Liability Reform Law Effective August 28, 2005
09.14.05

Now considered one of the most comprehensive in the nation, Missouri's new medical liability law went into effect on August 28. The new reform:

• Limits venue in tort actions to the county where the plaintiff was first injured;
• Caps total non-economic damages at $350,000, with no annual inflator;
• Fixes the Scott decision which allowed multiple non-economic damage caps;
• Allows joint and several liability only if a defendant is 51% or greater at fault;
• Requires a court to dismiss any case for which the plaintiff cannot produce an affidavit of merit and requires the expert that claims the case has merit to be identified and to be of the same profession and substantially the same specialty as the defendant;
• Makes benevolent gestures inadmissible in court;
• Limits punitive damages to the greater of $500,000 or five times the amount of the judgment;
• Modifies the collateral source rule to allow the discovery of amounts actually paid (in contrast to amounts billed ) for a plaintiff's medical treatment;
• Creates civil immunity for certain physicians who volunteer services at free health clinics.

Missouri may require electronic medical records within 10 years
01.16.06

The Missouri Medicaid Reform Commission has recommended that doctors who participate in the state-federal Medicaid program be required to use electronic medical records within 10 years.

In a report issued last month, the reform panel also said physicians should be able to write prescriptions electronically within five years. The report called for financial incentives and technical assistance from the state to help the process along.

Sen. Charlie Shields, a St. Joseph Republican who led the committee, cited several benefits in moving to electronic records. Shields said the systems are generally believed to cut down on medical errors, but they also make it easier to transfer data between individual doctors and the Medicaid system.

According to the Columbia Daily Tribune, that could help ferret out instances of fraud by patients or providers as well as allow better measurement of the quality of care provided by doctors.

As an example, Shields said the state could look at the outcomes produced by 10 orthopedic surgeons and more easily determine that "six of them are doing a really great job and four of them probably need a little help."

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs is already using electronic medical records, and in 2004, President George W. Bush unveiled a plan that aims to ensure that most Americans have them within 10 years.

For a complete copy of the Columbia Daily Tribune article, click on: http://www.showmenews.com/2006/Jan/20060108News003.asp

For a complete copy of the Missouri Medicaid Reform Commission's Final Report, click on: http://www.senate.mo.gov/medicaidreform/MedicaidReformCommFinal-122205.pdf

MSOA awarded $10,000 legislative grant
01.16.06

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has awarded the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association $10,000 to support MSOA's legislative efforts during the 2006 session of the Missouri General Assembly. Missouri was one of three states to be awarded funding in the first round of funding requests from more than 20 proposals.

AAOS established the State Orthopaedic Society Health Policy Action Fund to promote legislative/regulatory activities at the state level.

MSOA Website proves very popular
01.16.06

Did you know the MSOA website experiences more than 43,000 "hits" and more than 1,200 "visits" almost every month. That's right. According to website utilization statistics compiled by MSOA's web server, MSOA's website is proving to be a popular place for information, news, and material.

A "hit" is any request for data from the server. Each time any page of MSOA's website is viewed, that's one hit. A visit is one user's total experience at the site.

And, advertising is now available on MSOA's website. Contact the MSOA office at 573-556-MSOA for a rate quote or sponsorship information.

Register today for the MSOA Lobby Day and Winter Basketball Social scheduled for February 1, 2006
12.06.05

Join your MSOA colleagues in Jefferson City for an afternoon of lobbying and legislative contacts in Missouri's State Capitol. Then, travel to Columbia for the Mizzou vs. Texas Men's Basketball Game at the new Mizzou Arena. To reserve your tickets, please complete the registration form.

MSOA's New Public Service Announcement Begins Airing in 2006
12.05.05

Beginning in 2006, look for AAOS' Public Service Announcement campaign featuring the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association's name in the tagline of radio and television advertisements distributed to media outlets in Missouri. The campaign features television, radio, print, and airport advertisements carrying public service messages on musculoskeletal health, wellness, and injury prevention topics. The campaign is distributed to over 13,000 media outlets and to over 200 airports across the country, including Lambert Field in St. Louis.

The Missouri State Orthopaedic Association has been chosen as one of this years' State Orthopaedic Societies winners
11.29.05

The State Orthopaedic Societies Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons voted to award $2,450 to MSOA to help link Missouri's membership database of orthopaedic physicians with the legislative districts for State Representatives and State Senators. Now, thanks to AAOS and the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association, orthopaedic physicians will be able to more quickly identify their state representatives and senators.

MSOA Opposes New Restrictions on Ambulatory Surgery Centers
09.14.05

The Board of Directors of the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association voted to oppose new proposed restrictions on ambulatory surgery centers and ancillary services. In 2005, both the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate considered a moratorium on specialty hospitals and new regulations on ASCs. Without constant vigilance, this threat will likely continue.

Under legislation promoted by the Missouri Hospital Association, the State of Missouri would be required to license and inspect annually any ambulatory surgery center (ASC) for which at least 51% of either revenue earned or volume of services provided is derived from surgical procedures, childbirths, diagnostic imaging, cardiac catheterization, radiation therapy, lithotripsy, Gamma knife, or endoscopy.

• ASCs would be required to meet new state QA standards in addition to Medicare standards and those developed by national accrediting organizations.
• ASCs would be required to report detailed patient abstract data-including age, sex, diagnoses, procedures, billed charges-and financial data, including revenues, expenses, charity care, and debt.
• Each member of the ASC medical staff would be required to have active staff privileges at a local hospital and provide on-call services. Or, the ASC would need to have an agreement with a local hospital to provide services for patients that require a higher level of care.

Draft versions of this bill included a tax on surgery centers equal to the difference between an ASC's Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patient revenue and 30% of its total patient revenue.

Medical Malpractice Reform Legislation Signed by Governor Blunt
09.14.05

Governor Matt Blunt today signed into law sweeping litigation and medical malpractice reforms designed to address the medical care crisis brewing across Missouri. Under the legislation, there will be new limits on joint and several liability, restrictions on venue shopping and new limits on punitive and non-economic damages. The law goes into effect Aug. 28.

Under the new law, joint and several liability applies only to defendants 51 percent or more at fault, in all cases. Joint and several liability is a theory of recovery that permits a plaintiff to recover damages from multiple defendants collectively, or from each defendant individually.

In the area of venue shopping, the Missouri law provides that where the plaintiff was injured in Missouri, actions may only be brought in the county where the action occurred or in the county where the plaintiff was injured.

Missouri's new law limits an award for non-economic damages in medical liability cases to $350,000, irrespective of the number of defendants and there is no inflation adjustment on the cap. Caps in the other states with limits range from $250,000 to $875,000.

The legislation also limits an award for punitive damages to the greater of $500,000 or five times the net amount of the judgment awarded to the plaintiff against the defendant. The limits are designed to stem the growth in both the frequency and size of punitive damage awards.

The legislation includes several other provisions including:

• allows discovery of a defendants assets only after the trial court finds that the plaintiff will have a submissible case for punitive damages;
  
• requires a court to dismiss any medical malpractice claim where the plaintiff fails to file an appropriate affidavit from a health care provider or the failure to use reasonable care.
  
• protects against the disclosure of peer review proceedings in medical liability cases;
  
• modifies the collateral source rule to allow the actual amount of paid medical expenses to be introduced into evidence rather than the amount billed; and
  
• provides civil immunity from damages physicians who provide volunteer services;
  
• provides an "I'm Sorry" provision which make benevolent gestures by medical providers inadmissible as evidence;
  
• and provides for periodic payments of future damages in medical liability cases.

Missouri House Passes Medical Liability Reform Page
02.17.05

The Missouri House of Representatives has given first-round approval to legislation designed to correct Missouri's medical liability crisis. House Bill 393 contains four major provisions, the first of which is the elimination of venue shopping. Venue shopping is the practice of moving a lawsuit to a different court or judge that has a reputation of awarding outrageously large settlements. Current law allows trial lawyers to navigate our legal system in order to have their cases decided by judges that are most likely to be favorable to their position. The bill requires that cases be tried in the county where the alleged injury occurred to revent lawyers from exploiting the system by 'venue shopping.' Stopping this practice will help curb the filing of unnecessary lawsuits. This change in the law will reduce lawsuits and help keep doctors in Missouri.

Joint and several liability has also been eliminated in the bill adopted by the House this week. Current Missouri law allows defendants who are judged to be as little as one percent liable for an injury to be held responsible for the entire judgment. Someone who was only one percent liable for a $500,000 judgment--instead of being responsible for $5,000--could previously have been forced to pay the entire $500,000 award, even though someone else is found to be primarily at fault. HB 393 helps to defer unnecessary lawsuits by ensuring that a defendant will only be liable for the portion of a judgment for which they are found to be at fault.

In the past, juries have also used pain and suffering damages to award a massive amount of money to plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases. This has caused medical malpractice insurance rates to skyrocket, and driven many of our doctors to stop practicing specialized medicine, such as obstetrics. HB 393 caps pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases at $250,000, which will help to bring malpractice insurance rates under control and ensure that Missouri residents have health care available when they need it. This cap will not affect non-economic damage awards in other types of cases. Punitive damages are another method in which juries have awarded plaintiffs huge cash settlements. Again, this has contributed to the rise in malpractice insurance rates and forced Missouri doctors to either leave the state or change their practice. Punitive damage awards will also be capped at $250,000, in order to keep our doctors here and protect our jobs.

Economic caps will help keep our orthopaedic physicians in Missouri instead of forcing them to move across the state border and set up new practices. Our current climate is forcing both employers and physicians out of this state. In 2000, the U.S. tort system cost every American $636, amounting to a $179 billion drain on our economy. This week, the House passed a bill that will end the flood of lawsuits that threaten our jobs and our healthcare providers. Desperately needed reforms on House Bill 393 were adopted after an eight hour debate, during which both Republicans and Democrats were provided equal time to participate in crafting the best bill possible. Both parties were given equal time and allowed to state their case. As a result, House Bill 393 passed by a vote of 106-52, not along party lines but in a bi-partisan effort to help our state.

MSOA Annual Meeting set for St. Louis' Chase Park Plaza
02.20.05

Register today for MSOA's Annual Meeting, June 10-11, 2005, at the St. Louis Chase Park Plaza by downloading registration forms at www.msoa.org/regis.htm

The MSOA Annual Conference is set for June 10-11, 2005 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri.

Originally built in 1922, the Chase Park Plaza recently completed a $120 million restoration.

Located in St. Louis' trendy Central West End, the Chase Park Plaza is convenient to Forest Park, the Science Center, a fabulous Zoo, the Muny Opera, History Museum, Art Museum, golf courses, a lake with gondolas and a boathouse restaurant, tennis, ice skating and even a cricket field.

As chair of the 2004 annual meeting, Dr. Dirk Alander is developing this year's program components. Guest speakers invited to this year's conference include presentations on biologics by Dr. Tracy Watson, chief of trauma at St. Louis University and the use of prophylactic antibiotics by Dr. Jason Calhoun, chair of AAOS' infection control committee. David Lovett, director of AAOS' Washington Office has been invited to address federal issues including provider reimbursements, research budgets, and Medicare changes.

A futures panel will convene on Saturday afternoon to discuss navigation, spine issues, total joints, and total disc replacement. And, St. Louis area resident programs have been invited to present resident papers.

For the second year, MSOA will host a legislative reception to honor Missouri legislators who supported physicians during the 2005 session of the Missouri General Assembly.

Our annual meeting cannot exist without the support of our exhibitors. Please let us know the names of vendors whom you work with and believe we should contact. More than 50 packets have already been mailed to previous and potential sponsors.

On behalf of MSOA, we look forward to seeing you at the 2005 Annual Meeting.