Health Affairs Blames Physician Feels for Rise in US Health Care Spending

Orthopaedic surgeons took a recent hit in the press when the journal Health Affairs published a study suggesting that the cost of orthopaedic care – particulary the fees of orthopaedic surgeons -- was a primary factor in the rising costs of health care. The study compared the incomes of primary care doctors and orthopaedic surgeons and found that the rate of pay for primary care providers and orthopaedic surgeons were substantially higher in the United States than in other countries. Study authors note, that the difference can only be explained by results mainly from higher physician fees, and that the higher fees are driving the higher spending on doctors’ services.

At the direction of the Presidential Line, AAOS took immediate action to bybringing together a wide coordinate array of resources, at the direction of the Presidential Line, which included the diverse expertise amongstour AAOS fellows, staff, and outside consultants. Several conference calls took place to harness and to coordinate the AAOS’s efforts and to outline a comprehensive strategy going forward. READ MORE

Bonefied News

Bonefied News is designed to share information about the Academy’s public relations efforts and how the AAOS is enhancing the image of orthopaedic surgeons. We want you in the loop, so be sure to contact us at if you have questions or ideas on any of our public and media relations initiatives.

Media Coverage
NYTimes:
NPR- Diane Rehm Show:
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Chicago Tribune:
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AP:
Daily Fairfield?:
Huffington Post with Dr. Shamie
Maybe U.S. News and World Report MoM / Media calls attention to Health Affairs story
Academy public relations staff responded to several requests for interviews and information pertaining to the Health Affairsstudy. since its media release last week. AAOS spokesperson, Dr. Kevin Bozic served as the expert on this health policy topic and has since spoken to many national consumer and trade publications. A few stories citing AAOS and/or Dr. Bozic have appeared, includinginModern Healthcare, Medscape, and Tthe Wall Street Journal. Stories with AAOS’s perspective in American Medical News and Orthopedics This Week are in the works, and are slated to print next week. Below are the links to the coverage that has appeared thus far:
Modern Healthcare:
Medscape:
Wall Street Journal: - do we even want to link to this? YES

Be the Eyes and Ears of the 2012 MORE Awards!

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has opened the call for submissions to its seventh annual MORE Awards. These awards recognize excellence in accurate reporting on musculoskeletal health issues and healthy behaviors in the care of bones and joints. The Academy invites all consumer journalists to submit their top-notch stories of prevention, treatment and recovery on musculoskeletal issues.

Have you recently read, viewed or been featured inany exceptional stories or segments on the following orthopaedic-related topics?

  • Boomeritis
  • Joint replacement
  • Osteoporosis or arthritis
  • Youth sports injuries
  • Military or war-related extremity injuries
  • Injury or fall prevention
  • Stem cells and cartilage repair

Please email along any stories you think would be MORE Award-worthy to the media relations department, at isa Meyer, Public and Media Relations Coordinator at to give these reporters the recognition they deserve!

All winning reporters will be recognized at an awards ceremony during the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) in April 2012. Previous winning entries and winners can be found at

2011 MORE Awards Event Recap

The 6th Annual MORE Awards received praise from those attending the NOLC on April 7, 2011 in Washington, DC. The 45-minute ceremony profiled each winning story and journalist and highlighted special guests, including the LaRue family, who shared their experience about their daughter Morgan, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and the young age of eight years old. Because her young frame was still growing, an orthopaedic oncology team implanted an extendable replacement bone in her leg, which will grow as she grows. The LaRue’s story was depicted in winner Lara Salahi’s ABC World News with Diane Sawyer segment. In addition, 15 other exceptional orthopaedic stories earned an award.

Additionally, a video tribute dedicated to the hundreds of journalists who covered the Haiti earthquake was shown and received standing ovation from those in attendance.

Five journalists came in person to accept the 2011 MORE Award for their excellence in journalism. Attending journalists included:

  • Katharine Davis Fishman, MORE Magazine
  • Gabrielle Redford and Leslie Wooldridge, AARP the Magazine
  • Laura Roberson, Men’s Health magazine
  • Lara Salahi, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer