http://www.aasmnet.org/images/AASMLogo.pngAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicinehttp://www.aasmnet.org/The latest news from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine(c) 2011, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, All rights reserved.5AASM Pending Action Newshttp://www.aasmnet.org/articlearchive.aspx?cid=96AASM Working to Have Sleep Testing Included in the “Welcome to Medicare” BenefitThe AASM has been working with legislators in Washington, D.C., on a draft bill that would incorporate sleep disorders testing into the "Welcome to Medicare" benefit, which allows individuals entering the Medicare program to receive an initial preventive physical examination and other screening services without a copayment. Some of the other services included in this benefit are various cancer screening tests, cardiovascular screening blood tests, diabetes screening tests, and an electrocardiogram.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2375Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500NIH Releases 2011 Fiscal Policy for Grant AwardsThe notice indicates that NIH has been allocated a budget of $30.9 billion, which is nearly one percent less than the total fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget authority level of $31.2 billion. As a result, the NIH will implement reductions in commitment levels for non-competing research awards.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2251Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500Office of the Inspector General to Require Fraud and Abuse Compliance ProgramsThe HHS Office of the Inspector General issued a regulatory announcement on February 2 of its intent to finalize new Medicare and Medicaid enrollment standards that will establish procedures to better police fraud and abuse in these programs.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2089Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500Oregon Introduces Bills Punishing Drowsy Drivers with Fines, ImprisonmentUnder both bills, drivers could face hefty fines and even prison time for accidents due to driving while fatigued.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2065Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500New York Drowsy Driving Legislation Would Amend State Traffic LawsUnder the two bills, a person who falls asleep while driving or is  proven to be without sleep for 24 or more consecutive hours would be considered by state law to be fatigued.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2064Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500New Hampshire Proposed Regulations Addressing the Licensure of Sleep TechnologistsThe New Hampshire Respiratory Care Practice Act contains statutory language which allows the state Respiratory Care Board (“Board”) to have “the authority” to adopt rules specifying the scope of practice for registered polysomnographic technologists.” This past September, the Board issued proposed regulatory language outlining the scope of practice for sleep technologists, and detailing the educational and training requirements a sleep technologist needs to complete to obtain a license.http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=2021Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500