Notable & Quotable

At Medtrade 2007’s kickoff video keynote, Reps. John Tanner, D-Tenn., and David Hobson, R-Ohio, authors of H.R. 1845 — which would allow all qualified providers to continue to participate in Medicare at the bid rate — gave the industry a rallying call. In a Q&A session afterwards, Invacare Chairman and CEO Mal Mixon, whose company sponsored the event, said the idea that the government could dictate prices and exclude half of the industry’s providers from participating “used to be called communism.”

45-85% Range by which comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates for diabetics

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

Falls Leading cause of injuries and hospital admissions for trauma among adults aged 65 or older

Source: Centers for Disease Control

580,605 Projected number of centenarians in the United States in 2040. The estimated number of centenarians in the country last year was 79,682.

Source: U.S. Census

12 million Estimated number of people who have COPD and don’t know it, a number equal to those diagnosed with the disease

Source: National Heart Lung & Blood Institute

41% of Medical Group Management Association members said in a recent nationwide poll that they might have to limit the number of Medicare patients they see if CMS implements a reduction in Part B physician payments. More than 19 percent of the medical practices said they would stop accepting new Medicare patients.

Source: Medical Group Management Association

12th If the entire morbidly obese population lived in one U.S. state, it would be the 12th largest in population.

Source: American Obesity Association

21 million Number of Americans who have osteoarthritis

Source: Arthritis Foundation

20% Average portion of state budgets allotted to Medicaid

Source: Center for Health Care Strategies