Mary Ellen Schneider

Building on the success of recent efforts to reduce health care–associated infections, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated guidelines for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

The guidelines were published on April 1 in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, and are available online through the CDC. Last updated in 2002, the guidelines are aimed at health care providers who insert intravascular catheters and those who are responsible for surveillance and control of infections in the hospital, in outpatient settings, and in home health care settings.

They focus on five major areas:

• Educating and training health care providers.

• Using maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion.

• Avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Cleaning skin with chlorhexidine; avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Using antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressings if infection rates are not decreasing through other strategies.

The guidelines were developed by a working group led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, along with input from several other professional organizations including the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The guidelines are being released at a critical time, Russell N. Olmsted, APIC president, said in a statement, because starting this year, hospitals must track and report on central line–associated bloodstream infections in their intensive care units or risk losing 2% of their Medicare payments. These data will be published later this year on Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site. The Department of Health and Human Services has also set a national goal of reducing central line–associated bloodstream infections by 50% by 2013.

"Catheter-related bloodstream infections – like many infections in health care – are now seen as largely preventable," Dr. Naomi O’Grady, of the NIH Clinical Center Critical Care Medicine Department, and the lead author of the guidelines, said in a statement. "Implementation of these critical infection control guidelines is an important benchmark of health care quality and patient safety."

The country is already seeing success in reducing bloodstream infections. Recent data from the CDC showed that the number of central line–associated bloodstream infections occurring in ICUs across the country dropped by about 25,000 or 58% from 2001 to 2009 (MMWR 2011;60:1-6). The prevention of central line–associated bloodstream infections in the ICU resulted in total savings of about $1.8 billion and as many as 27,000 lives saved between 2001 and 2009, according to the CDC.

And a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that hospitals participating in the national quality project "On the CUSP: Stop BSI" were able to significantly reduce their central line–associated bloodstream infections. The initial results from adult ICUs in 22 states showed a 35% reduction in central line–associated bloodstream infections. The rates dropped from an average of 1.8 infections per 1,000 central line–days to an average of 1.17 infections per 1,000 central line–days.

Building on the success of recent efforts to reduce health care–associated infections, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated guidelines for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

The guidelines were published on April 1 in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, and are available online through the CDC. Last updated in 2002, the guidelines are aimed at health care providers who insert intravascular catheters and those who are responsible for surveillance and control of infections in the hospital, in outpatient settings, and in home health care settings.

They focus on five major areas:

• Educating and training health care providers.

• Using maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion.

• Avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Cleaning skin with chlorhexidine; avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Using antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressings if infection rates are not decreasing through other strategies.

The guidelines were developed by a working group led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, along with input from several other professional organizations including the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The guidelines are being released at a critical time, Russell N. Olmsted, APIC president, said in a statement, because starting this year, hospitals must track and report on central line–associated bloodstream infections in their intensive care units or risk losing 2% of their Medicare payments. These data will be published later this year on Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site. The Department of Health and Human Services has also set a national goal of reducing central line–associated bloodstream infections by 50% by 2013.

"Catheter-related bloodstream infections – like many infections in health care – are now seen as largely preventable," Dr. Naomi O’Grady, of the NIH Clinical Center Critical Care Medicine Department, and the lead author of the guidelines, said in a statement. "Implementation of these critical infection control guidelines is an important benchmark of health care quality and patient safety."

The country is already seeing success in reducing bloodstream infections. Recent data from the CDC showed that the number of central line–associated bloodstream infections occurring in ICUs across the country dropped by about 25,000 or 58% from 2001 to 2009 (MMWR 2011;60:1-6). The prevention of central line–associated bloodstream infections in the ICU resulted in total savings of about $1.8 billion and as many as 27,000 lives saved between 2001 and 2009, according to the CDC.

And a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that hospitals participating in the national quality project "On the CUSP: Stop BSI" were able to significantly reduce their central line–associated bloodstream infections. The initial results from adult ICUs in 22 states showed a 35% reduction in central line–associated bloodstream infections. The rates dropped from an average of 1.8 infections per 1,000 central line–days to an average of 1.17 infections per 1,000 central line–days.

Building on the success of recent efforts to reduce health care–associated infections, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated guidelines for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

The guidelines were published on April 1 in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, and are available online through the CDC. Last updated in 2002, the guidelines are aimed at health care providers who insert intravascular catheters and those who are responsible for surveillance and control of infections in the hospital, in outpatient settings, and in home health care settings.

They focus on five major areas:

• Educating and training health care providers.

• Using maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion.

• Avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Cleaning skin with chlorhexidine; avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters.

• Using antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressings if infection rates are not decreasing through other strategies.

The guidelines were developed by a working group led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, along with input from several other professional organizations including the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The guidelines are being released at a critical time, Russell N. Olmsted, APIC president, said in a statement, because starting this year, hospitals must track and report on central line–associated bloodstream infections in their intensive care units or risk losing 2% of their Medicare payments. These data will be published later this year on Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site. The Department of Health and Human Services has also set a national goal of reducing central line–associated bloodstream infections by 50% by 2013.

"Catheter-related bloodstream infections – like many infections in health care – are now seen as largely preventable," Dr. Naomi O’Grady, of the NIH Clinical Center Critical Care Medicine Department, and the lead author of the guidelines, said in a statement. "Implementation of these critical infection control guidelines is an important benchmark of health care quality and patient safety."

The country is already seeing success in reducing bloodstream infections. Recent data from the CDC showed that the number of central line–associated bloodstream infections occurring in ICUs across the country dropped by about 25,000 or 58% from 2001 to 2009 (MMWR 2011;60:1-6). The prevention of central line–associated bloodstream infections in the ICU resulted in total savings of about $1.8 billion and as many as 27,000 lives saved between 2001 and 2009, according to the CDC.

And a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that hospitals participating in the national quality project "On the CUSP: Stop BSI" were able to significantly reduce their central line–associated bloodstream infections. The initial results from adult ICUs in 22 states showed a 35% reduction in central line–associated bloodstream infections. The rates dropped from an average of 1.8 infections per 1,000 central line–days to an average of 1.17 infections per 1,000 central line–days.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

Patients can now go to Medicare’s Hospital Compare Web site to see how hospitals are doing in preventing certain adverse events and infections.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data on eight hospital acquired conditions: vascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; blood incompatibility; pressure ulcers stages III and IV; air embolism; objects left in the patient after surgery; injuries during a hospital stay such as falls and trauma; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.

CMS has been collecting data on these eight conditions since 2007; since 2008, Medicare has refused to provide additional payment if one of these conditions occurs during the patient’s hospital stay. Each of the eight conditions is costly and happens frequently during inpatient stays for Medicare patients, according to the agency. The conditions were also chosen because Medicare officials consider them to be reasonably preventable through the use of evidence-based guidelines.

Data from October 2008 through June 2010 are available through a downloadable file on the Hospital Compare Web site. Later this year, CMS plans to integrate the data directly into the site framework.

As the economy rebounds, so is interest in cosmetic plastic surgery, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The latest figures show that cosmetic surgical procedures increased nearly 9% in 2010. More than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States last year, with breast augmentation remaining the most popular. Liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction rounded out the top five procedures in 2010.

"Patients who put off surgery because of uncertainty in the economy and the job market are coming back for tried and true procedures," Dr. Felmont Eaves III, ASAPS president, said in a statement. "Growth in demand will likely continue as the recession eases and baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical and nonsurgical options."

But demand for some minimally invasive procedures, such as laser hair removal, dropped in 2010. Overall, cosmetic minimally invasive procedures decreased nearly 9%. A total of 8 million procedures were performed last year, representing about 39% of the total spending on cosmetic surgery. Fewer patients underwent injections of botulinum toxin type A, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels than in previous years. However, the number of procedures performed with hyaluronic acid increased.

Cosmetic surgery remains big business. In 2010, Americans spent close to $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures. The bulk – $6.6 billion – was spent on surgical procedures. An additional $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures, $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures, and nearly $500 million on other nonsurgical procedures.

The 2010 figures are based on a survey of more than 900 plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and otolaryngologists. The ASAPS has compiled cosmetic surgery procedure data since 1997.

As the economy rebounds, so is interest in cosmetic plastic surgery, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The latest figures show that cosmetic surgical procedures increased nearly 9% in 2010. More than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States last year, with breast augmentation remaining the most popular. Liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction rounded out the top five procedures in 2010.

"Patients who put off surgery because of uncertainty in the economy and the job market are coming back for tried and true procedures," Dr. Felmont Eaves III, ASAPS president, said in a statement. "Growth in demand will likely continue as the recession eases and baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical and nonsurgical options."

But demand for some minimally invasive procedures, such as laser hair removal, dropped in 2010. Overall, cosmetic minimally invasive procedures decreased nearly 9%. A total of 8 million procedures were performed last year, representing about 39% of the total spending on cosmetic surgery. Fewer patients underwent injections of botulinum toxin type A, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels than in previous years. However, the number of procedures performed with hyaluronic acid increased.

Cosmetic surgery remains big business. In 2010, Americans spent close to $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures. The bulk – $6.6 billion – was spent on surgical procedures. An additional $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures, $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures, and nearly $500 million on other nonsurgical procedures.

The 2010 figures are based on a survey of more than 900 plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and otolaryngologists. The ASAPS has compiled cosmetic surgery procedure data since 1997.

As the economy rebounds, so is interest in cosmetic plastic surgery, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The latest figures show that cosmetic surgical procedures increased nearly 9% in 2010. More than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States last year, with breast augmentation remaining the most popular. Liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction rounded out the top five procedures in 2010.

"Patients who put off surgery because of uncertainty in the economy and the job market are coming back for tried and true procedures," Dr. Felmont Eaves III, ASAPS president, said in a statement. "Growth in demand will likely continue as the recession eases and baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical and nonsurgical options."

But demand for some minimally invasive procedures, such as laser hair removal, dropped in 2010. Overall, cosmetic minimally invasive procedures decreased nearly 9%. A total of 8 million procedures were performed last year, representing about 39% of the total spending on cosmetic surgery. Fewer patients underwent injections of botulinum toxin type A, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels than in previous years. However, the number of procedures performed with hyaluronic acid increased.

Cosmetic surgery remains big business. In 2010, Americans spent close to $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures. The bulk – $6.6 billion – was spent on surgical procedures. An additional $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures, $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures, and nearly $500 million on other nonsurgical procedures.

The 2010 figures are based on a survey of more than 900 plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and otolaryngologists. The ASAPS has compiled cosmetic surgery procedure data since 1997.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.

The Senate on April 5 voted to repeal the unpopular 1099 tax reporting requirement from the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal bill (H.R. 4), which was passed by the House in March, will now go to President Obama for his signature. The president called on Congress to address this provision in his State of the Union speech and received a standing ovation from lawmakers.

The provision was passed as part of the Affordable Care Act and requires businesses, including physician practices, to file a 1099 tax form with the Internal Revenue Service for all payments to vendors of more than $600 per year. The requirement was set to take effect in 2012. The American Medical Association has been lobbying against the 1099 requirement, noting that compliance would be expensive and that it would negatively impact the operation of physician practices.

Members of Congress had attempted to strip the 1099 requirement from the health reform law earlier but could not reach agreement on how to offset potential revenue from the provision.

H.R. 4 pays for the change by allowing the federal government to recoup more money from taxpayers in cases where individuals received an overpayment in their health care tax credit. The increased amounts that the government can collect are capped on a sliding income scale.