Dec. 24/31, 2001: Table of Contents

American Medical News - vol. 44 no. 48
Government - Professional Issues - Business - Opinion - Technology - Health - 2001 index

House adopts package for Medicare regulatory relief
Physicians and House leaders look to the Senate for passage before year's end.

Changes sought to combat drug, vaccine shortages
Flu vaccine delays and shortages of drugs and diagnostic agents are triggering calls for changes in distribution and more public health system involvement.

Back to top.

Electronic claims rule may be postponed
Doctors' offices, hospitals and health plans would have an extra year to comply with the new standards -- if they do the paperwork.

CMS keeps physician Medicare input link intact; AMA urges local presence
Carrier advisory panels and medical directors are seen as ways doctors can influence coverage decisions.

Percentage-based pay arrangements get a year's reprieve
Concern among doctors spurs CMS to review that portion of the Stark II rules.

AMA urges more Medicare coverage for preventive care
Delegates call for coverage of screenings for lipids disorders and diabetes.

Government news briefs:

• Medicare HMOs seek payment boost
• Delegates urge quicker credentialing
• Brief uninsured status affects access
• New Jersey latest to join Medicaid breast, cervical cancer program

Back to top.

Paying donors for organs sparks hot ethics debate
Physicians are divided on this financial incentive issue as well as on charging drug representatives for office visits.

Panel to help AMA leaders work together more efficiently
A new House of Delegates committee is charged with putting the Association's governance house in order once and for all.

Latest embryonic cloning action seen as a baby step
Despite political opposition, research into therapeutic uses for cloning technology may be off the ground. How far it will fly remains to be seen.

Are med school admission policies in for a change?
Jordan Cohen, MD, the Assn. of American Medical Colleges' top official, wants schools to use subjective criteria along with test scores to both attract and select students.

Recovering physicians beating the odds
Long-term treatment, such as that offered at a University of Florida center, is the best medicine for doctors with addictions.

Quick View: Med schools: Application attrition

Medical Moments: Move over Dr. Quinn, here's a real pioneer

Professional Issues news briefs:

• Physician to head HIAA
• Fla. suit against Blue Cross to proceed
• Kevorkian conviction upheld in Michigan
• ACGME to issue duty hour report

Back to top.

Report blasts insurer's plan to be for-profit
The conversion of a CareFirst Blues plan could destabilize Maryland's market and raise the number of uninsured.

Practice Management: Web sites proffer useful practice tips

Street Smarts: Biotech stocks have nowhere to go but up

Business news briefs:

• HMOs post losses in Texas, North Carolina
• Principal sells its share in Coventry
• Oxford settles with Caremark

Back to top.

Opinion

Managed care: A new way to report hassles
The AMA has created a physicians-only online form to report problems with health plans.

Letters:

• The AMA off target on gift campaign

Back to top.

Electronic medical records: Mastering the maze
Physicians who have overcome the obstacles of integrating an EMR system into their practices see the benefits to their patients and their communities.

Technology news briefs:

• Privacy rule doesn't protect all info
• Congress moving to delay HIPAA rule
• ScanSoft acquires speech recognition technology assets

Back to top.

Public health: A victim of its own success?
An examination of the recent history of the public health system offers insights into why steps are now necessary to shore up its foundation.

Studies show pharmaceutical ads piquing patient interest
Spending on consumer advertising has soared, especially for the newest and most costly drugs.

Health news briefs:

• AMA says hands are for washing
• Routine prenatal HIV testing endorsed
• AMA condemns use of child soldiers
• Doctors lobby to ban gender verification of Olympic athletes

Back to top.