By Matthew Vuletich, MGMA senior writer/editor
Two plotlines dominated healthcare news in 2009: healthcare reform efforts and the outbreak of the first flu pandemic, H1N1, in 40 years. Here's a look at how the Medical Group Management Association was involved, with a couple other notable events tossed in.
Jan. 6 - Democrats take control of Congress
The 111th Congress is sworn in and convenes. Democrats hold 256 House seats compared with the Republicans' 178. With the Minnesota Senate race still too close to call, Democrats have 56 seats and the Republicans have 41. Two seats belong to Independents who caucus with the Democrats.
Jan. 20 - Obama sworn in
Inaugurated as the 44th and first African-American president, Barak Obama vows to enact sweeping healthcare reform legislation
Feb. 3 - Daschle is dashed
Health and Human Services secretary, Tom Daschle, who some viewed as critical to Obama's efforts to pass healthcare reform, withdraws his nomination for Health and Human Services secretary after revelations that he failed to pay approximately $128,000 in taxes for using a friend's car service.
April 24 - Rise of a pandemic?
The World Health Organization expresses concern about the spread of influenza from Mexico and the United States to other countries. International cases and deaths are confirmed.
April 26 - It's an emergency
The United States declares a public health emergency over the swine flu outbreak after confirming 20 cases. The strain is milder than the one in Mexico.
April 27 - A word from MGMA
MGMA and other healthcare organizations outline healthcare reform goals in a letter to congressional leaders. This was just one in a yearlong series of intense lobbying activities by the Association related to reform.
April 28 - The specter switch
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., announces that he's switching to the Democratic Party, bringing the Democrats within one vote of a filibuster-proof majority.
April 29 - Swine flu claims first victim in the United States
The swine flu kills a 22-month-old from Mexico visiting Texas with family.
May 22 - SGR must go!
MGMA and 59 healthcare organizations make recommendations to Congress and the Obama administration regarding healthcare quality appropriateness and the need to eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR).
June 2 - Obama's wish list
The president outlines healthcare reform principles in a letter to Senate committee chairmen.
June 30 - The votes are in
The Minnesota Supreme Court declares former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken the winner of the Minnesota Senate race. Including two independent senators, the Democrats gain what appears to be a filibuster-proof, 60-seat majority in the chamber. Despite reaching the "magic number," Democrats will struggle to corral that 60-vote threshold and keep healthcare reform legislation alive.
June 11 - It's now a pandemic
The H1N1 influenza strain, commonly called swine flu, achieves pandemic status - the first since the Hong Kong flu of 1967-68.
July 16 - Time for tort reform
MGMA and other healthcare organizations urge Congress to include meaningful medical malpractice liability reform in healthcare reform legislation.
Aug. 25 Senate healthcare-reform advocate succumbs
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., dies after a bout with brain cancer.
Sept. 13 - Help is on the way (not so fast)
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces that the H1N1 vaccine will be available a week earlier than originally scheduled. However, because the vaccine takes longer than expected to develop, the campaign against swine flu suffers numerous delays over the next couple of months.
Sept. 18 - A reminder: SGR must go
MGMA and 120 national and state medical associations send a letter to senators urging them to repeal the SGR.
Oct. 29 - One day, two proposals
House Democrats release the Medicare Physician Reform Act, which would eliminate the SGR, and a healthcare reform bill.
Nov. 3 - Here's an alternative
House Republicans unsuccessfully attempt to introduce alternative healthcare reform legislation.
Nov. 6 - You have support as long as ...
MGMA announces qualified support for the House healthcare reform bill and legislation that would repeal the SGR.
Nov. 7 - Alternative rejected, reform bill passes in close vote
The House defeats the Republican substitute healthcare reform bill and then approves the Democrats' bill 220-215.
Nov. 12 - Support for payment reform
MGMA and 127 physician organizations urge the House to approve the Medicare Physician Reform Act.
Nov. 18 - Now it's our turn
Senate Democrats introduce their version of healthcare reform.
Dec. 1 - MGMA weighs in
The Association sends comments on the Senate healthcare reform bill to the entire chamber.
Dec. 15 - Don't forget the SGR
MGMA and 117 physician organizations stress in a letter to senators the urgency of eliminating the SGR.
Dec. 22 - More pain than gain
MGMA continues to voice concern about the Senate's failure to repeal the SGR and seeks additional changes to ensure that any final legislation reflects the Association's principles. In another "not so sure about this" moment, Rep. Parker Griffith from Alabama declares that he's switching to the Republican Party.
Dec. 24 - Surprise! It's 60 to (almost) 40
The Senate approves a healthcare reform bill by a vote of 60-39.