Communications

NEW JERSEY OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, INC.

26 Eastmans Road – Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

Phone: 973-597-0938• Fax: 973-597-0241

Chair

Donald Chervenak, MD

Vice Chair

Judi Gerardis, MD

Secretary/Treasurer

Jeffrey Segal, MD

Executive Director

Linda Bartolo

lll

September, 2011

Dear Colleague,

With great excitement we have formed the first OBGYN political action committee in the state of New Jersey. This has taken years of hard work and development. It would be difficult to believe that all of us do not see the coming tsunamis of decreased reimbursement, increased interference and meddlesome regulations. With the coming election cycle, it is obvious that we must start exerting our influence for the betterment of all doctors and nurses trying to practice obstetrics, gynecology and our subspecialties.

Now is our call to action. We would like to request a minimum contribution of $50.00 from each obstetrician and gynecologist in the State to be able to exert our influence and to have some control of our future. A contribution of $100.00 would give you Supporter status and a contribution of $250.00 would make you a Founding member. Founding members will receive a lapel pin signifying your contribution.

Thank you in advance for your important contribution. A contribution form is enclosed.

Sincerely,

Donald Chervenak, MD, FACOG

Chair

Judi Gerardis, MD, FACOG

Vice Chair

Jeffrey Segal, MD, FACOG
Secretary/Treasurer

CONTRIBUTION TO THE NJ OBGYN PAC

Complete this form and send with your check made payable to the NJ OBGYN PAC, Inc. 26 Eastmans Road, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054.

Because this Political Action Committee will contribute funds only to elections for political offices with the State of New Jersey, your corporate (or personal check) is permitted and accepted.

CHECK ONE BELOW:

_____ $50.00

_____ $100.00

_____ $250.00 FOUNDING MEMBER

_____Other $_____________

NAME________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________

PHONE_______________________FAX_____________________EMAIL________________

NOTE: IF CHECK IS FOR MORE THAN ONE PHYSICIAN, PLEASE LIST ALL NAMES ON REVERSE.

____Yes, I would be willing to attend fundraisers for my local legislators. My home address is listed below:

HOME ADDRESS IS NEEDED IF YOU WISH TO REPRESENT NJ OBGYN PAC AT FUNDRAISERS:

Contributions to the NJ OBGYN PAC, Inc. are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income Tax Purposes. Paid for by the NJ OBGYN PAC, Inc.

From: Beverly J. Lynch [mailto:bev@amg101.com]
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 12:18 PM
To: Linda Bartolo
Subject: for ACOG and NJSSA members

New Jersey PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM (PMP) LAUNCHED

After years of waiting to implement a law signed back on January 4, 2008, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is launching the New Jersey’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to assist physicians in treating patients with issues related to addiction, and to halt the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs.

Letters from DCA were sent to all prescribers on November 7, 2011. But in case you did not receive your letter, we reiterate what the program is all about:

The PMP is an active database that collects prescription data on Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) dispensed in outpatient settings in New Jersey, and by out-of-state pharmacies into New Jersey. Since September 1, 2011, it has collected detailed data on more than 1.5 million prescriptions; by the end of the year, it is expected to include more than 3 million prescriptions.

As a qualified prescriber, you must register for secure, online access to the PMP.

Access to the PMP will be granted to qualified prescribers – those who are licensed by the State of New Jersey and in good standing with their respective licensing boards (the State Board of Medical Examiners). To obtain access, prescribers must first register with Optimum Technology, the vendor contracted by the State to manage the PMP.

Registration is free. To register for access to the PMP, take the following steps:

1. Go to www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/pmp and click on the “Practitioners: New Registration” link. It will take you to a secure website managed by Optimum Technology.

2. Enter the required information on the “New Registration” page. This will include your name, State license number, and other identifying information.

3. Once the site has verified that you are a qualified prescriber, the site will direct you to a link for the “Request for Access” form.

4. You must print out and complete the “Request for Access” form. Sign the printed version, have it notarized, and mail the notarized original to Optimum Technology at the address provided on the form.

5. After the form has been submitted and information processed, you will receive an email from Optimum Technology containing your user name, password, and instructions for accessing the PMP.

Before issuing a prescription, registered prescribers will be able to access the PMP and request the CDS and HGH prescription history of the patient. The registered practitioners will be required to certify that they are seeking information for a specific, current patient.

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Beverly Lynch

Advocacy & Management Group

In New Jersey

State granting a record number of accidental disability pensions

Associated Press

November 15, 2011

New Jersey is granting a record number of accidental disability pensions this year for public employees as a result of recent changes in law that make it easier to collect.

The Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record reported Tuesday that records show the state made $91.5 million in payments to police and firefighters in 2010, a 35 percent increase from 2007, when it paid out $68 million.

This year, the state will grant the most accidental disability pensions in its history, having approved 537 through August, compared with 402 in 2007.

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Constitutional changes proposed amid fight over judges' pensions, benefits

By David Gialanella | New Jersey Law Journal

November 16, 2011

Consternation over the effect of this year's pension system overhaul on the state judiciary has prompted a pair of proposed constitutional amendments - one that would be to judges' liking, the other not so much.

One measure, supported by Gov. Chris Christie, would undo a court ruling that state judges can't be made to contribute more toward their pension and health care plans. A second would ease up on a constitutional prohibition on judges earning outside revenue.

The first, ACR-208/SCR-241, was introduced Nov. 10, the day after the state Supreme Court granted direct certification to review Mercer County Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg's ruling that the 2011 Pension and Health Benefit Act is unconstitutional as applied to sitting state judges.

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Judge rules parents can continue lawsuit against TCNJ over student's mysterious death

By Lisa Coryell | The Times of Trenton

November 11, 2011

The parents of a College of New Jersey freshman who died mysteriously in 2006 can proceed with a wrongful death suit against the school, a judge ruled yesterday, denying the school's motion to dismiss the claim.

Susan and John Fiocco Sr.'s claim that TCNJ's lax security measures allowed a stranger to enter Wolfe Hall dormitory and murder their son will go before jurors in a February trial, Superior Court Judge Pedro Jimenez decided.

The school is not protected from the civil suit under New Jersey's Tort Claims Act and its Charitable Immunity Act, Jimenez ruled. Those laws shield public and charitable institutions from civil liability unless a case can be made that the institution was grossly negligent or that a dangerous condition existed at the time of the incident.

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Former N.J. governors talk politics at League of Municipalities convention

By Megan DeMarco | The Star-Ledger

November 16, 2011

Four former governors ran the gamut of New Jersey politics hot topics this morning at a League of Municipalities convention panel.

Former Govs. Brendan Byrne, Donald DiFrancesco, John Bennett and James Florio kicked around whether Gov. Chris Christie will run for re-election in 2013, budget woes facing the state, gambling and Atlantic City, and national politics, among other topics.

The League of Municipalities convention, in its 96th year, brings together local officials, legislators, vendors and lobbyists in Atlantic City for more than 125 educational programs by day, and networking events at night.

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Suit seeks damages for teen who lost legs in Gloucester City rail accident

By Darran Simon | The Philadelphia Inquirer

November 16, 2011

The family of a teenager who lost both legs after he was hit by a train last year in Gloucester City has sued three railroad companies, the city, and police, saying they failed to prevent trespassing on tracks that teenagers often used as a shortcut.

Michael J. Battersby, then 16, was walking on a path alongside the railroad and appeared to cross the tracks 15 to 30 yards in front of a freight train near George Street on Sept. 20, 2010, said his attorney, Barry J. Hockfield. He said Battersby has no memory of the accident.

The suit says Norfolk Southern Corp., Consolidated Rail Corp., and CSX Transportation failed to rebuild a broken fence or post "no trespassing" signs, even though residents had complained.

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Economic damages are affirmed though plaintiff's earnings rose after accident

By Charles Toutant | New Jersey Law Journal

November 10, 2011

The Appellate Division on Thursday let stand a $1.44 million award for economic damages from an auto accident even though the plaintiff's earnings climbed steadily after the crash.

The panel rejected the defense contention that the jury should not have heard expert testimony on economic damages because Dennis Knitowski did not prove loss of earning capacity.

But as his robust earnings showed that he did not suffer a "substantial" loss, he is ineligible for noneconomic damages against the state under the Tort Claims Act, the court said in Knitowski v. Gundy, A-5945-09.

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Around the States

Calif. legal reform advocate cites O.C. cases

By Jan Norman | The Ocean County Register

November 14, 2011

Newport Beach restaurant 930 Sushi was sued for not allowing a teacup poodle to sit with its owner in the restaurant because of health laws. The lawsuit claimed the 7-pound dog was a "service animal" for a disabled person.

Long Beach insurance agency owner Richard Dempsey has restaurant clients sued for failing to comply with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act.

These are two stories among many collected by California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse at five events statewide, including one in Orange County.

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Corzine's fortune could invite more lawsuits

By Marcy Gordon for The Associated Press

November 15, 2011

The millions that former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine amassed as head of Goldman Sachs have become an alluring target for investors who were crushed by the collapse of MF Global, the brokerage firm he led until earlier this month.

And Corzine isn't the only one who may be financially vulnerable after the eighth-largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Others include MF Global's other top executives; its auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and some big Wall Street banks.