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Index 2001: Letters to the Editor

Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec - 2000 - 2002

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Dec. 24/31

• The AMA off target on gift campaign

Dec. 17

• An OR play list with a western flair
• Information is the physician's ally in securing equitable pay

Dec. 10

• Insurer: Ciprofloxacin data suggest some prescriptions were by physicians for themselves or their families

Dec. 3

• RICE is nice, RICES even better
• "Evolution is an intellectually bankrupt theory" that renders morality meaningless
• In wake of Sept. 11 attack, "try to understand each others' problems"

Nov. 26

• New victims of Sept. 11 attack: More uninsured Americans
• Physician observation skills important as anthrax puzzle gets more complex
• An intelligent hand designed us
• No, we're the product of chance

Nov. 19

• PROs should exist to improve quality, not to serve the needs of lawyers
• Change the AMA motto?
• AAAHC a leading organization in the accreditation field

Nov. 12

• Doctors were not the heroes of the Sept. 11 attack on America
• Tax credit for health insurance can be made to work, with two changes
• A chump for providing premium-style care at workaday prices?
• Family caregiver: Doctors act like we are stupid

Nov. 5

• Instead of readying for terrorism, medicine compelled to study coding
• Ophthalmology, practice management are two common blind spots of residency training programs
• Fate of Medicare HMOs proof of bum rap against managed care
• Expenses up, income down -- is it time for medicine to get mean?

Oct. 22/29

• Expose effect lawyers have on rising liability insurance rates
• Physicians must also be able to care for themselves
• Autopsy a "final exam"
• Controversy over stem cell research is one of ethics, not technology

Oct. 15

• Illustration accompanying column showed cultural insensitivity
• Perception of physicians' interest in money may not be so inaccurate
• Influenza vaccine shortage means doctors can't provide expected care

Oct. 8

• Is new drug "gold rush" creating a shortage of old standbys?
• Commentary column incorrectly accused Los Angeles County of misusing tobacco settlement funds
• Gun violence article revealed bias
• Article was 'extremely slanted'

Oct. 1

• Health care professionals should donate blood and urge others to do so
• Opposition to stem cell research is based in science, not just rhetoric
• Liability insurance canceled over providing care to inmates

Sept. 24

• Most information technology tools are not ready for "prime time"
• Pathologists and clinicians should be partners to get most from autopsies
• Be wary of new laws that are directed at stopping gun violence
• Deadly reason behind gun ownership

Sept. 17

• Embryonic stem cell debate a reminder of past atrocities
• Psychiatric expertise called for when treating chronic fatigue syndrome
• Drug ads to consumers help break down drug formulary barriers

Sept. 10

• It's time to stand up to those who make life tough for physicians
• Suicide an example of why gun violence should be studied
• HMO preventive medicine hasn't failed

Sept. 3

• AMA president: Firearm violence research is not about gun control
• Final version of patients' rights bill should include expanded MSAs

Aug. 27

• Stem-cell research? Yes, but not if it means sacrifice of the "unwanted"
• Proceed with stem-cell research
• Kaiser: We were quality pioneers

Aug. 20

• Chief of staff: AMNews sided too much with physician in suspension case
• Objective research already demonstrates the danger of guns
• When it comes to gifts, "it is desirable for physicians to avoid even the appearance of impropriety"
• Why is there a nursing shortage? An RN says it starts with no respect

Aug. 13

• Further study into firearms violence is needed to prevent more deaths
• Don't trust gun violence research tainted by "misconception and bias"

Aug. 6

• Delay direct-to-consumer ads for a year after drug's introduction
• Clinical pharmacist: Physicians should not view collaboration as defeat
• Drug ads are directed more often to white consumers than to blacks

July 30

• Don't trust agenda of research into gun violence "epidemic"
• Drop Medicare? Not in Pennsylvania
• No evidence Boy Scouts linked to psychiatric problems and abuse

July 23

• Doctors spend for investment advice, but not to learn coding
• Research shows benefits of family presence during emergency care
• Autopsy an option -- until it is sought
• A preventive service Medicare doesn't cover

July 9/16

• Criticism of autopsies was unfounded
• Lots of reasons for nursing shortage
• Consider nursing's physical toll
• Don't give government the right to take organs for transplantation

July 2

• Message to PAs, NPs: "If you want to be a physician, go to medical school"
• PAs, NPs are team members but shouldn't expect to be captains
• PA training not equal to med school
• NPs: Language in column demeans us
• Pediatric NPs: Dr. Gottlieb's column "filled with misconceptions and erroneous rhetoric"
• PAs: Thoughtful discussion needed about other health professionals

June 25

• What's managed care's real message -- talk more to patients, or less?
• Insurers' arrogance demonstrated when they won't say how they pay
• Less government intrusion needed in medical marketplace, not more
• California Medical Assn. Foundation targets resistance to antibiotics

June 18

• Fee schedule a lesson in listening
• No to translators, yes to lessons on how to speak English
• Thinking that led to P-word is not as much nasty as numbskulled
• OSHA petition on resident hours does not go far enough

June 11

• Malpractice concerns not the only reason for decline in autopsies
• The P-word? Nyet!
• Christian Scientists: "Choice is not a shield for the neglect of children"

June 4

• Take eminent domain approach to close organ supply gap
• Don't undervalue contribution from any member of health care team
• NP: Physician concern over "extenders" rooted in fear of competition, lost income

May 28

• A different view of what happens when a PA answers a patient's call
• PA training not inferior
• "Dr. Gottlieb, get over it"
• "Provider" violates the "universal protocol of interpersonal respect"
• Drug reps "extremely useful"

May 21

• Oldest profession prefers "provider"
• Letter gives drug reps the lowdown on what this physician expects
• Pediatricians: Pendulum may swing to subspecialties, but primary care doctors will always be needed
• Want to be paid based on skill? Then embrace E&M system

May 14

• There is an alternative to surrendering values to managed care
• Most physicians are honest -- Blues' fraud-fighting numbers prove it
• Advance directives should be followed

May 7

• Physicians should welcome pharmaceutical representatives
• Drug reps have "car dealer" mentality
• Time for more militancy by physicians -- including strikes
• Web site links doctors to patient assistance programs for medications

April 23/30

• Dr. Sulmasy a role model
• Doctor-patient e-mail will tighten the squeeze on medical practice
• Give organ priority to those who have themselves signed on to donate

April 16

• The training level of nurse practitioners is a cause for concern
• NP student: AMA really favors supervision, not collaboration
• Negotiation necessary for lower liability insurance rates
• Questionable expert witnesses also add to higher insurance premiums
• Time to "dismantle the nightmare of referrals" required by managed care
• Half-day CME not worth the trip
• Purchasers may not understand OTC emergency contraceptives

April 9

• ACEP president: Prudent layperson standard does not increase emergency department visits
• Time for Americans to "get rid of our version of health care socialism"
• Pain not really the central issue in assisted suicide

April 2

• Hospitalist care denies primary care physicians of needed information
• Physician assistant perspective on concern over care by "nonphysicians"

March 26

• Lack of timely access to physician offices is driving patients to the ED
• Visits after hours should cost more
• "Irrational perception of endless abundance" is why ED is crowded
• Time saved by hospitalists taken up by hassles of modern health care
• Same-day appointment system does not preclude traditional appointments

March 19

• University of Washington: Security breach article overstated our actions
• Medical translation is a laudable goal, but difficult for doctors to achieve
• A translation bill three times what Medicaid pays the doctor

March 12

• Pressure put on primary care doctors results in more emergency visits
• Dump E&M guidelines
• Those who know how government works will reject universal coverage

March 5

• FDA offering better drug information, but will physicians read it?
• Media violence key to understanding why young people are at risk
• Prejudice not welcome

Feb. 26

• Single-payer system not the answer
• National Guideline Clearinghouse is the place to go for practice guidelines
• Doctors should reject racist requests

Feb. 19

• Troubling view of nonphysician use
• Split up the AMA to gain clout
• Physicians shouldn't impose own morals about abortion

Feb. 12

• Rethink policy on translators
• Time for AMA to focus more on the needs of physicians

Feb. 5

• Looking for a practice? Don't ignore contractual "sticks"
• Compliance plan controversy underscores need for correct coding
• A threat that screening can catch: aneurysm linked to Marfan syndrome
• NP: Doctors, we are not going away

Jan. 29

• "The AMA doesn't do it alone" when writing CPT codes
• British-style care has waiting list but uninsured here don't even have that
• Health plan pays for colonoscopy as standard screening test

Jan. 22

• Not enough prescriptions on record? Then you won't get drug samples
• Morning-after pill results in abortion
• AMA abortion stance undermines positions on assisted suicide and participation in executions
• Mandate to translate should be embraced by medicine

Jan. 15

• Physicians should bill for services in five-minute increments

Jan. 1/8

• A 5.2% increase in physician pay? It doesn't jibe with his experience
• Psychiatrists -- not primary care physicians -- should diagnosis ADHD

Last year's letters - Back to top

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