Submit your comments to help shape Healthy People 2030
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is soliciting written comments on the proposed framework for Healthy People 2030, which will guide the selection and prioritization of the 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans.
CDC report shows increase in insufficient sleep among high school students
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics recently released the chartbook, “Health, United States, 2016,” which represents the 40th annual report card on the nation’s health. It includes a data table showing that the percentage of high school students who got fewer than 8 hours of sleep on an average school night increased from 68.3% in 2013 to 72.7% in 2015.
House passes legislation to reform U.S. medical liability system
On June 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1215, the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 (PACA), a bill that proposes to reform the current medical liability system. The legislation passed narrowly by a vote of 218 to 210.
Wisconsin Physicians Service issues new LCD policy for narcolepsy testing
The Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS) has issued a new local coverage determination (LCD) policy (L37003) that provides new coverage information related to narcolepsy testing.
Congressional Budget Office evaluates Senate’s revised draft health care bill
On Monday the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its evaluation of the updated draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) health care bill crafted by Senate Republicans. CBO estimates that 22 million more Americans would be uninsured, and federal spending would be reduced by $321 billion within the next decade.
Mid-Year Review: Read the top 5 articles posted on the AASM website in 2017
These articles that have been posted on the AASM website in 2017 received the most online pageviews from Jan. 1 – June 29.
Mid-Year Review: See the top 5 articles published in 2017 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
These articles that have been published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2017 received the most online pageviews from Jan. 1 – June 29.
PTSD Awareness Day: AASM urges legislators to co-sponsor House resolution
As the nation recognizes National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day on Tuesday, June 27, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine urges U.S. House legislators to co-sponsor House Resolution 46, which expresses support for soldiers and veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD.
Review the proposed rule for year two of the Quality Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule for year two of the Quality Payment Program, a component of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The new rule includes more flexible options for taking part in either the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APMs).
Avoid financial penalties by checking your Medicare revalidation status
The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) recently provided instructions on how providers/suppliers may revalidate through their Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs).
Senate Republicans release draft health care bill
Senate Republican leadership unveiled a discussion draft bill on Thursday to replace many aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The long-awaited bill is called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017.
Carrie Fisher’s death is a grim reminder of the dangers of sleep apnea
With the recent announcement that obstructive sleep apnea contributed to actress Carrie Fisher’s death, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is reminding the public that this life-threatening disease can have grave consequences for heart health.
JCSM impact factor rises to a new high
The AASM is pleased to report that the impact factor for the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reached a new high of 3.429 in 2016, according to Thomson Reuters.
AASM congratulates SLEEP Trail winners
Congratulations to the three winners of the SLEEP Trail contest that took place during SLEEP 2017. With hundreds of submissions, these three lucky winners blazed a new path and took home great prizes.
Earn CE credit and gain insight into the Quality Payment Program
The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) recently introduced an online and self-paced course on the Quality Payment Program. This free educational offering is intended for physicians and their support staff.
AASM congratulates recipients of the Award for Editorial Excellence
The AASM and JCSM Editor Nancy Collop, MD, congratulate Emerson Wickwire, PhD, and Christina McCrae, PhD, who recently were named recipients of the Stuart Quan Award for Editorial Excellence.
Research presented at SLEEP 2017 makes national news
Science writers and health reporters from national media outlets provided in-depth coverage of research presented at SLEEP 2017 in Boston.
Report of the 2017 – 2018 AASM president
This is an excerpt from AASM President Dr. Ilene Rosen's address to the membership at the AASM General Membership Meeting on Monday, June 5, at SLEEP 2017 in Boston.
Sleep disturbances predict substance use among college athletes
Preliminary results of a new study show that sleep disturbance is strongly related to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs among student athletes in college.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine names Dr. Ilene Rosen president
Today, Dr. Ilene Rosen became the 32nd president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) board of directors. Rosen assumed the role during SLEEP 2017, the 31st annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) in Boston. She will serve a one-year term.
Social jet lag is associated with worse mood, poorer health and heart disease
Preliminary results of a new study show that social jet lag has emerged as an important circadian marker for health outcomes.
Sleep extension improves response time, reduces fatigue in professional baseball players
Preliminary results from a new study suggest that short-term sleep extension improves response time and daytime functioning of professional baseball players.
Mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea is associated with hypertension, diabetes
Preliminary data from two studies suggest that mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension and diabetes.
Patients with depression and insomnia who sleep at least seven hours per night benefit from combined insomnia and depression treatments
Preliminary results from a new study show that depressed patients with insomnia who sleep seven or more hours per night are more likely to benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) and achieve depression remission.
Sleep regularity is important for the happiness and well-being of college students
Preliminary results from the “SNAPSHOT study”, an NIH-funded collaborative research project between the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and MIT Media Lab Affective Computing Group, suggest that keeping a regular sleep pattern contributes to the happiness and well-being of college students.