SAS/ISASS thought you would be interested in two recent articles in Orthopedics This Week (OTW) advocating support for spine surgeons and patients. OTW is providing non-subscribers of the SAS with a “community pass” which allows the members unlimited access to ALL articles. The pass is renewable and allows members to download full PDFs of articles.

Spine Fusion’s Line in the Sand
By Walter Eisner
A proposal by a North Carolina insurer to stop paying for certain types of fusion surgeries has prompted some spine surgeons to call for drawing a line in the sand before other states follow suit. Read what’s behind the politics of the spine community’s response.

Dr. Slosar’s Blast Email
by Robin Young
A flash surgeon forum erupted two weeks ago over the proposed Blue Cross policy statement in North Carolina. The ISASS had first alerted surgeons to it, but it was Dr. Slosar’s impassioned email reaction that hit a nerve among spine surgeons. Here’s what happened.