Health

HEALTH • Winter 2016 7 Feds offer new physician incentive program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced new opportunities for clinicians who treat Medicare patients to join incentive programs aimed at improving healthcare qual- ity while saving money. The agen- cy's Advanced Alternative Payment Models are funded by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 and are part of the CMS Quality Payment Program. Clinicians who participate may earn a 5-percent incentive payment through participation in one of a number of programs in 2017. Cape doctors sue AG over assisted suicide Two Barnstable County doctors filed suit in Massachusetts Superior Court for the right to provide medi- cal aid to dying patients, according to the advocacy group representing them. The plaintiffs, Dr. Robert Kliger and Dr. Alan Steinbach, both of Falmouth, are seeking a declaration that medical aid in dying — also known as doctor-assisted suicide — is not a crime under Massachusetts law. They're also seeking an injunction prohibiting the defendants, Attorney General Maura Healey and Cape & Island District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, from prosecuting physicians who provide medical aid to dying patients. The suit asserts that prosecution is unlawful and unconstitutional. Children's Hospital expansion gets final approval State health officials gave Boston Children's Hospital the green light to move forward with a controver- sial $1-billion expansion. The Public Health Council voted 10-0 in favor of the expansion, with one absten- tion. The hospital has said its capac- ity is under strain as it treats more complex cases and as international and out-of-state demand grows. The project expansion earned the sup- port of Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and the state Department of Public Health, but sparked outcry from critics who fear it will lead to higher health care spending and who oppose the demolition of a therapeutic garden on hospital grounds. The art of creating exceptional corporate events. Impressionism. Peppers creates complete and extraordinary experiences, refl ecting your organization's unique vision and personality. • Talented teams in Culinary Arts, Cake Art, Art Bar, and Art & Design collaborating to craft a lasting impression. • Experience in meticulously planning, managing and executing events of every size and style with an eye on both the big picture and the smallest detail. • Dedicated craftsmanship and culinary talent that makes your event a true original and leaves your guests feeling part of something special. Contact our event specialists to create your one-of-a-kind occasion today. Contact our event specialists to create your one-of-a-kind occasion today. PeppersCatering.com 508.393.6844 Photo by Joe Dolan Photography Sunovion completes $635M Parkinson's acquisition MARLBOROUGH — Marlborough drugmaker Sunovion Pharmaceuticals announced it has purchased a company developing a Parkinson's disease treatment for approximately $635 million. The acquisition of Toronto-based Cynapsus Therapeutics complements Sunovion's existing portfolio and expands its base of treatments for central nervous system disorders, according to Sunovion. Sunovion plans to submit a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first half of its fiscal year 2017. The drug would be used during off episodes associated with Parkinson's disease that impair the ability to move and maintain normal activities. UMass Medical School joins Obama's $5.5M precision partnership The University of Massachusetts Medical School has joined a $5.5-million phase of a White House program centered around personalized medicine. The Worcester medical school was added into the White House's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program as part of the Trans-American Consortium for the Health Care Systems Research Network, a medical center group that also includes health and research organizations in Texas, Michigan and Minnesota.

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