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Index 2004: News in brief

Government - Profession - Business - Health - 2003 - 2005

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Government & Medicine briefs 2004

AMA to voice concerns to DEA over pain medication prescribing policy - Dec. 27
Delegates back AMA's work on Medicare drug benefit - Dec. 27
AMA supports asthma drugs in schools - Dec. 27
AMA board to study uncompensated care proposal - Dec. 27
Lupron maker settles suit over drug's pricing - Dec. 20
CMS seeks input on Rx benefit - Dec. 20
Government alleges kickback, asks for more time in Medco case - Dec. 20
U.S. Supreme Court hears medical marijuana arguments - Dec. 13
First person convicted of HIPAA violation gets jail time - Dec. 13
Virginia medical society focuses on tort reform - Dec. 13
Texas physician group loses appeal of antitrust complaint - Dec. 13
Judges put ballot initiatives on hold - Dec. 6
Doctors in the House and Senate - Dec. 6
Pay for performance scrutinized - Nov. 22/29
Physicians settle Medicare billing charges - Nov. 22/29
Idaho SCHIP premium assistance gets federal OK - Nov. 22/29
Court tosses out one of the lawsuits against nonprofit hospitals - Nov. 15
Coverage satisfaction waning - Nov. 15
Bush signs measure to fight juvenile diabetes - Nov. 15
Part of Social Security increases to go to Medicare - Nov. 8
Health centers do well by doing good - Nov. 8
Panel rules against consolidating suits over hospital charges - Nov. 8
Medicare adopts changes in pay for cancer drugs - Nov. 1
Calif. officials support emergency department funding ballot question - Nov. 1
N.J. panel votes against doctors' "access fees" - Oct. 25
Senate passes anabolic steroid bill - Oct. 25
Medicaid eats up state budgets - Oct. 25
Health insurance tax credits' flaws dampen interest - Oct. 18
Rx monitoring bill passes House - Oct. 18
Early setback for Medicare PPOs - Oct. 18
Medicare seeks help with DME bidding - Oct. 18
Calif. medical staff governance bill signed into law - Oct. 11
Doctors push for Washington state tort reform initiative - Oct. 11
Court orders changes to Nevada liability reform ballot question - Oct. 11
High-risk pool funding gets Senate panel's nod - Oct. 11
Rise in health insurance premiums outstrips earnings - Oct. 11
Medicare expands PET coverage - Oct. 4
Woman behind Roe v. Wade loses request to have case reopened - Oct. 4
Chronically ill hit by high health costs - Oct. 4
HHS extends its own HIPAA deadline - Oct. 4
Patients mum about skipping drugs because of their cost - Sept. 27
"Partial-birth abortion" ban again ruled unconstitutional - Sept. 27
Advocates for breast cancer patients back drug reimportation - Sept. 27
Medicare drug project enrollment falls below expectations - Sept. 27
AIDS group sues drugmaker over prices - Sept. 27
Physician pay increase cited in higher Medicare beneficiary premiums - Sept. 20
HHS sued over interpreter rules - Sept. 20
Insurers sue Pa. over coverage of addicts' medical care - Sept. 20
Medicare plans coverage for new carotid stent - Sept. 20
More Americans lack health insurance - Sept. 13
"Partial-birth abortion" ban loses in court again - Sept. 13
No second term for HHS' Thompson - Sept. 13
Drug firm settles New York lawsuit over Paxil data - Sept. 13
HIPAA privacy law nets first conviction - Sept. 13
N.C. physician-hospital group settles antitrust charges - Sept. 13
CMS pushes for faster adoption of medical technology in Medicare - Sept. 6
Drug benefit demo expanded - Sept. 6
Health savings accounts poll well, insurers say - Sept. 6
NIH won't override Norvir patent - Aug. 23/30
Stem cell research debated - Aug. 23/30
New York City sues drug makers over Medicaid drug prices - Aug. 23/30
Cost inflation alleged against N.Y. pharmacy benefit manager - Aug. 23/30
Government stalling medical marijuana study, researchers charge - Aug. 23/30
Mississippi abortion ban lifted - Aug. 16
Parental consent law struck down - Aug. 16
Drugmaker will pay millions to resolve Claritin pricing lawsuit - Aug. 16
Medicare pay increases announced for hospitals and other facilities - Aug. 16
Medicaid waivers questioned - Aug. 16
Medicare fee update proposed - Aug. 9
Tort reform on Wyoming ballot - Aug. 9
Medicare outpatient drug benefit rule unveiled - Aug. 9
SCHIP growth slows - Aug. 9
Lawmakers target underage drinking - Aug. 9
AMA urges Illinois court to uphold verdict against Philip Morris - Aug. 2
Medicare changes policy on obesity - Aug. 2
No drugs from Down Under - Aug. 2
Judge rules against Missouri's "partial-birth abortion" ban - Aug. 2
TAP officials acquitted in Lupron case in Boston - Aug. 2
Senate leader lays out health plan - July 26
Ohio voters support appeals - July 26
Medicare drug discount site criticized - July 26
Health centers, public hospitals missed out on drug discounts - July 26
Percentage of uninsured children drops - July 19
Lawmaker proposes health insurance without bounds - July 19
Millions can't pay their medical bills - July 19
Md. tort reform task force named - July 19
HHS expands access to rapid HIV test - July 19
Physicians express concern over "partial-birth abortion" subpoenas - July 12
Medicare and NCI forge alliance - July 12
AMA lobbies for patient safety legislation - July 12
Washington state doctors file liability reform ballot initiative - July 12
D.C. City Council contemplates liability reform - July 12
FDA tobacco measure tied to tax bill - July 12
Hospital charges to the uninsured to be investigated - July 12
Physicians want naturopaths dropped from Medicare coverage committee - July 5
AMA to study a separate Medicare for the disabled - July 5
Physicians seek answers on exclusive credentialing - July 5
Health plans should shorten doctors' phone wait times, AMA says - July 5
Physicians request duty-free status for medical equipment donations - July 5
AMA to study new EMTALA rules - July 5
Doctors oppose self-referral law changes regarding imaging - July 5
Use of DEA numbers should be tightened, doctors say - July 5
Medicare pay delay nears for noncompliant electronic claims - June 28
Tort reform will be election issue - June 28
Reforms pass one hurdle in Illinois - June 28
Miss. lawmakers vote to strengthen liability cap - June 28
New Mexico group settles price-fixing charges - June 28
Texas sues drugmakers over Medicaid pricing - June 28
Lawmakers call for investigation of Norvir price hike - June 28
CMS creates EMTALA advisory group - June 21
Wis. sues drugmakers over pricing - June 21
Medicaid access to specialists is low - June 21
Reimport request denied - June 21
Senators urge CMS to review assumptions on physician payment - June 14
Bush promotes community health center funding - June 14
Sen. Byrd signs onto association health plan bill - June 14
Tenn. Legislature passes teaching hospital immunity bill - June 14
Iowa tort reform legislation rejected - June 7
Study finds EDs face financial woes - June 7
Medicare pays more for managed care - June 7
Hospitals ready to report quality data - June 7
Illegal immigrant ID bill defeated - June 7
Health costs worry small firms - June 7
Reimportation lawsuit filed in Minn. - June 7
Minn. judge allows access to drugmakers' files in reimportation case - May 24/31
Washington physician group settles fraud charges - May 24/31
Senate passes Medicaid buy-in for children with disabilities - May 24/31
Lawmakers ask Bush to ease stem cell restrictions - May 17
Ky. Supreme Court ruling backs local smoking bans - May 17
Missouri governor vetoes tort reform - May 17
HHS offers blueprint to better health for Americans - May 17
Study doubts costs savings from Medicare PPOs - May 17
Bush wants electronic health records - May 10
CMS addresses enrollment delays - May 10
Telehealth legislation proposed - May 10
Mass. tort reform bill gets panel's endorsement - May 10
Judge moves to stop Texas Medicaid restrictions - May 10
AIDS patients file class-action suit over Norvir price hike - May 10
Medicaid jumps into drug pool - May 10
U.S. House sits on genetics bill - May 3
Improper billing collections just a drop in the bucket - May 3
Drugmaker Web site links patients to discount programs - May 3
Ohio liability insurers questioned about rate setting - May 3
Medicare streamlines drug card enrollment - May 3
CMS issues call for chronic care management demo - May 3
Order flu vaccine now - April 26
Iowa tort reform bill passes - April 26
Georgia Legislature adjourns without tort reform - April 26
Ohio passes liability insurance market backup plan - April 26
Congressmen push for changes in physician pay formula - April 26
HIPAA payment delay for noncompliant e-claims under fire - April 19
CMA issues legal brief opposing "partial-birth abortion" law - April 19
HIPAA lawsuit dismissed - April 19
Encouraging high-risk health insurance pools - April 19
Medicaid costs less - April 19
Calif. doctors' need for speed - April 12
Health centers expand access - April 12
Organ donation funds authorized - April 12
Low response to tax credit program - April 12
Drug reimportation panel meets - April 5
HSA-linked bill introduced - April 5
Ohio malpractice panel issues report - April 5
Michigan judge says doctor must share pertinent patient records - April 5
Reimportation stance could be stumbling block for CMS candidate - March 22/29
Disease management demo gives HHS unprecedented authority - March 22/29
Calif. judge rules against records release in late-term abortion lawsuit - March 22/29
HHS targets nation's waistline - March 22/29
Pa. lawmakers consider patient tax - March 15
Georgia committee passes tort reform; doctors find fault with bills - March 15
Fight continues against government request for abortion files - March 15
Oklahoma doctors rally for tort reform - March 15
Missouri panel passes liability bill - March 8
Wyoming voters back tort reform - March 8
Judge again refuses to allow 5% Medi-Cal cut - March 8
Calif. physician group settles in antitrust case - March 8
Uninsured discounts OK, HHS says - March 8
Drug reimportation on the rise - March 8
Washington Senate passes tort reform - March 1
Illinois bill aims to improve liability insurance climate - March 1
Federal government backtracks on disparities report - March 1
Stroke prevention bill offered - March 1
SCHIP up by 5.8 million children - March 1
Bill would halt growth of long-term-care hospitals - March 1
Tort reform revival possible in Senate - Feb. 23
Cracking down on Internet doctors - Feb. 23
Doctors call for mental health parity - Feb. 23
Australia bans drug reimportation - Feb. 23
Insurer promises rate relief if Washington state passes tort reform - Feb. 23
Virginia doctors lobby Legislature for cap on noneconomic damage awards - Feb. 23
Doctors, governor rally for tort reform in Kentucky - Feb. 23
CMS will take comments online - Feb. 16
S.D. lawmakers opt against lowering medical malpractice award cap - Feb. 16
OIG finds Medicare overpayment for drugs - Feb. 16
Physicians continue to fight for change - Feb. 9
Public has doubts about drug benefit - Feb. 9
Bill would make ED check citizenship - Feb. 9
Guarding against abuse - Feb. 9
Medicare increases payments for critical access hospitals - Feb. 9
NIMH's leader defends funding priorities - Feb. 9
Medicare health plan pay to increase - Feb. 2
Report finds problems with payment for assistants at surgery - Feb. 2
Abbott settlement funds help state Medicaid programs - Feb. 2
Drug reimportation fight continues - Jan. 26
For-profit Medicare plans don't skimp more on expensive procedures - Jan. 26
State fights court's rejection of N.H. parental notification law - Jan. 26
Ephedra banned by FDA - Jan. 19
CMS issues Medicare physician pay rule, extends participation deadline - Jan. 19
Court ruling stops Calif. Medicaid cuts - Jan. 19
Wash. physicians blast tort reform package - Jan. 19
Senate takes aim at employer health benefits - Jan. 19
Hospitals urged to help uninsured - Jan. 19
Wis. governor signs patient compensation fund legislation - Jan. 19
Mental health parity law renewed - Jan. 12
Medical marijuana case allowed to proceed - Jan. 12
HIPAA has its day in court - Jan. 5
AMA to push for Medicaid tax credits - Jan. 5
Doctors to fight for better Medicare infusion therapy pay - Jan. 5
AMA members call for right to bargain collectively - Jan. 5
AMA votes to push for weapons ban extension - Jan. 5
Doctors vote for crackdown on unsafe online drug sales - Jan. 5
AMA seeks protection of peer review materials - Jan. 5
Doctors support FDA drug-tracking efforts - Jan. 5

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

Fertility clinics with higher success rates attract more first-time patients. Read more

Professional Issues briefs 2004

AMA finishes 2004 in the black - Dec. 27
Harassment policy adopted - Dec. 27
AMA encourages patient action on end-of-life-care issues - Dec. 27
AMA to monitor draft plan - Dec. 27
Patient safety advocate named to JCAHO board - Dec. 27
$30 million verdict reinstated by Ohio judge - Dec. 20
Mass. medical association to produce TV show - Dec. 20
La. physician named country doctor of the year - Dec. 20
Match expands its resident representation - Dec. 20
JCAHO chief touts pay for performance - Dec. 20
Boost in drug-monitoring funds - Dec. 13
AHRQ budget increased - Dec. 13
Visa program on track for extension - Dec. 13
MSNJ president says high jury award underscores need for tort reform - Dec. 13
Specialty physicians issue 2005 legislative agenda - Dec. 13
First woman named neurosurgical chair - Dec. 13
Feds petition Supreme Court to review assisted-suicide case - Dec. 6
La. PAs get prescribing rights - Dec. 6
HMO class action suit another step closer to trial - Dec. 6
Okla. optometrists get OK for scalpel use - Dec. 6
Cancer society elects surgeon as new president - Dec. 6
Resident program rules see revamp - Nov. 22/29
Medical school, physician honored for service, humanism - Nov. 22/29
Kevorkian appeal denied - Nov. 22/29
ACCME clarifies standards on conflict of interest - Nov. 15
Physicians in crisis states contemplate moving - Nov. 15
Former paramedic chosen as president of ACEP - Nov. 15
Fla. physician honored - Nov. 15
DEA drops pain FAQs from Web site - Nov. 8
Md. voters express concern about liability crisis - Nov. 8
AMA past president leading World Medical Assn. - Nov. 8
Pennsylvania Medical Society names new president - Nov. 8
Organ removal was not homicide - Nov. 1
Kidney-transplant waiting list hits all-time high - Nov. 1
Medical board honors doctor with award - Nov. 1
AMA, WMA defend indoor smoking ban - Oct. 25
Pain experts discuss drug dependence, tolerance at attorneys general seminar - Oct. 25
Women's health expert to lecture in Philadelphia, receive service award - Oct. 25
International virtual medical school moves forward with online curriculum - Oct. 25
Researchers win prize for work on sense of smell - Oct. 18
Schwarzenegger signs medical investigations bill - Oct. 18
Judge clears Aetna settlement - Oct. 18
W.Va. Supreme Court says no to physician's lawsuit - Oct. 18
Second Match under consideration - Oct. 18
New guide offers direction on cultural sensitivity - Oct. 18
Fla. Supreme Court strikes down "Terri's Law" - Oct. 11
Further rate reductions in Texas - Oct. 11
Calif. medical staff approves settlement with hospital - Oct. 11
Meeting explores time of Lewis, Clark - Oct. 11
Internal medicine board appoints new vice president - Oct. 11
Wyoming makes CME mandatory - Oct. 11
Medical schools strengthen conflict-of-interest policies - Oct. 11
Liability crisis forcing patients to change physicians - Oct. 4
Liability rates go up in Maryland - Oct. 4
Tort reform infomercials under fire - Oct. 4
Family medicine residents favor keeping three-year programs - Oct. 4
More organ solicitation Web sites developed - Oct. 4
JCAHO appoints panel to study cultural issues in hospitals - Oct. 4
5.5 million health care workers needed - Sept. 27
Eisenberg patient safety award winners announced - Sept. 27
Doctor arrested for refusing to draw blood from stabbing suspect - Sept. 27
CDC sponsors new fellowship in epidemiology - Sept. 27
ACOG Red Alert list adds 3 states - Sept. 20
NIH accepts applications for student loan repayment for research careers - Sept. 20
Calif. oral surgeons lose legislative battle to expand scope of practice - Sept. 20
Study says 17% of dying Oregonians discuss assisted suicide with families - Sept. 20
Alliance of Specialty Medicine honors lawmakers with leadership award - Sept. 20
Suspect charged in Mass. lab bombing - Sept. 20
Doctors form insurance firm - Sept. 13
On Death and Dying author dies - Sept. 13
Former UC medical student loses discrimination case - Sept. 13
Arizona doctor named Indian Physician of Year - Sept. 13
Federal judge rules on witness pay - Sept. 6
New members join AMA Foundation board of directors - Sept. 6
Veteran California lobbyist dies - Sept. 6
Christian Medical Assn. lobbies for adult stem cell research - Sept. 6
Pfizer funds health literacy research - Sept. 6
AHRQ announces grant limits - Sept. 6
Personality tests could predict physician burnout - Sept. 6
Ophthalmologist to receive humanitarian award - Sept. 6
New course addresses patient-physician communication - Sept. 6
Yale physicians win lawsuit - Aug. 23/30
Horizon Blues lawsuit gets class-action status in N.J. - Aug. 23/30
Tenn. Rx problems fail to materialize - Aug. 23/30
National Medical Assn. names new president - Aug. 23/30
AAMC honors diversity advocate - Aug. 23/30
Report ups medical error death toll - Aug. 16
Florida tracks physician CME online - Aug. 16
Former AMA president working on new IOM project - Aug. 16
Minn. court rules in genetic case - Aug. 16
Alliance of Specialty Medicine gives honors - Aug. 16
ACOG sees specialty's future imperiled by liability crisis - Aug. 9
AOA names new leaders - Aug. 9
U. of California settles medical resident suit for $1.3 million - Aug. 9
Report: Living wills influence end-of-life care - Aug. 9
Sports medicine society names new president - Aug. 9
Study highlights value of tort reforms - Aug. 2
AMA Foundation picks new president - Aug. 2
Pa. physicians dissatisfied - Aug. 2
Sleep medicine subspecialty OK'd - Aug. 2
Maine to monitor prescriptions - Aug. 2
Nurses working overtime make more errors - Aug. 2
U.S. citizens studying medicine in Cuba get reprieve - Aug. 2
Presumed organ donor consent bombs in Britain - Aug. 2
Transplant surgeon's federal lawsuit against university dismissed - July 26
Sleep-deprived residents can still master surgery - July 26
Wis. society names first physician CEO - July 26
Singers and musicians sought for VA music group - July 19
Study details medical malpractice history for 2 Illinois counties - July 19
Medical school for researchers opens - July 19
Kentucky court says no to pharmaceutical lawsuit - July 12
Charity care at issue in 18 lawsuits - July 12
Illinois medical school put on probation - July 12
$8 billion endowment to enrich medical campus - July 12
4 physicians get Pride in Profession awards - July 12
JCAHO wrong-site surgery prevention protocol implemented - July 12
JAMA editorial independence reaffirmed - July 5
Science drives AMA adoption policy - July 5
AMA seeks to simplify CME logistics - July 5
Student work-hour limits to be studied - July 5
Distribution of disaster training program gets approval - July 5
Updates to med ed suggested - July 5
Gift restrictions reaffirmed - July 5
AMA condemns prisoner abuse - July 5
MSNJ seeks profile extension - June 28
Mass. residents worry about liability crisis - June 28
Heart surgeon to lead Cleveland Clinic - June 28
Boston patients wait the longest for doctor appointments - June 28
Pediatric errors cost lives, money - June 28
PRN joins new partners - June 21
Doctors feel undertrained to care for chronically ill - June 21
Stem cell initiative on Calif. ballot - June 21
Calif. board addresses medical marijuana - June 21
Davis International Awards announced - June 14
Scholarship aims to support research - June 14
$50 million given for science education - June 14
Kidney cancer patients found to do better at high-volume hospitals - June 14
New Jersey society sues over release of malpractice information - June 7
Class-action trial date pushed back - June 7
California hospital may lose third residency - June 7
New Jersey establishes stem cell research institute - June 7
Wisconsin doctors see statewide work force shortage - May 24/31
Medical boards group gives awards - May 24/31
Residents say no to Pennsylvania - May 24/31
Report questions assisted-suicide law's safeguards - May 24/31
Physician group welcomes foreign doctors as observers - May 17
Calif. doctors to get cash from Blues settlement - May 17
Signatures for stem cell initiative - May 17
Task force wants physicians to prescribe fluoride supplements - May 17
Geriatricians in short supply - May 17
Prescription monitoring fails again in Florida - May 17
CIGNA settlement gets final OK - May 10
"Conscience clause" bills advance in Michigan, vetoed in Wisconsin - May 10
Medical schools land 45% of federal research dollars - May 10
N.Y. society names new president - May 10
Insurance issues force physician to send pain patients to new clinic - May 3
Illinois OBs re-evaluate practices in light of liability climate - May 3
Minnesota board greets new members - May 3
Survey finds most Americans support caps - April 26
HMO settlement information online - April 26
Visa legislation in the works - April 26
New York academy adds office on health disparities - April 26
National awards from AMA Alliance - April 19
Liability insurer sells renewal rights - April 19
Women faculty want flexible work schedules - April 19
UT gets $25 million gift for stem cell research - April 19
Illinois physician won't get day before state Supreme Court - April 12
FSMB supports Internet legislation - April 12
Fewer seek plastic surgery career - April 12
Illinois doctors face rising premiums - April 5
California corps opens second year - April 5
Medical and physician assistants among fastest-growing jobs - April 5
AOA brings residency applications online - April 5
O'Neill: It's safer to work at Alcoa than in health care - April 5
Appeals court upholds rejection of first CIGNA settlement - March 22/29
AAPS wants Limbaugh warrant deemed illegal - March 22/29
AMA Foundation OKs new scholarship - March 22/29
Medical society for concierge doctors - March 22/29
Mass. groups work to simplify credentialing - March 22/29
Harvard scientists giving free access to new stem cell lines - March 22/29
Singers and musicians sought - March 15
Study reveals impact of Medicare cuts on teaching hospitals - March 15
Drug detail deductions done for? - March 15
"Roe" again asks to reopen landmark abortion case - March 15
N.J. aims to lower liability rates - March 8
Nursing to see largest job growth, labor bureau says - March 8
Alaska governor makes medical board appointments - March 8
Florida Legislature once again confronting life-and-death issues - March 8
D.C. court refuses to dismiss Match lawsuit - March 1
Med students threaten to leave Pa. - March 1
Ariz. physician named to head medical specialties board - March 1
LCME accredits Temple; probation ends - March 1
Group seeks $3 billion for stem cell research in California - March 1
Appeals court rules in favor of Terri Schiavo's parents, Gov. Bush - March 1
NPs, PAs form group - March 1
Calif. physician's summary suspension overturned - Feb. 23
Medical schools, teaching hospitals help fuel U.S. economy - Feb. 23
Ohio Rx monitoring bill raises concerns - Feb. 23
California board honors pediatrician - Feb. 23
Cost of liability claims keeps rising - Feb. 16
Court: Fla. doctor did not violate clinic act - Feb. 16
Most pediatric residents happy with training - Feb. 16
Minn. doctors seek input on patient safety - Feb. 16
Wis. living organ donors will get tax break - Feb. 16
Study says caps lower premiums - Feb. 9
Pa. to keep malpractice case count - Feb. 9
Medical school honors female scientist - Feb. 9
Med students weak on clinical skills - Feb. 9
Arizona computer registry for end-of-life choices proposed - Feb. 9
U.K. ignores physicians' call for presumed consent organ donation - Feb. 9
More states added to credentialing process - Feb. 9
Medical society and foundation announce grants - Feb. 9
Ohio transplant doctor gets visa - Feb. 2
Class-action trial date pushed back - Feb. 2
Florida physician honored by state medical board - Feb. 2
Physician dead in apparent suicide - Feb. 2
Massachusetts uses tobacco money to create patient safety center - Feb. 2
Humana, physicians in Ohio settle - Jan. 26
Johns Hopkins regains accreditation - Jan. 26
AMA offers online CME series on treating pain - Jan. 26
Audit praises Nevada board, makes recommendations - Jan. 26
N.C. Blues sued over contract rights - Jan. 19
Two physicians appointed to Arizona Medical Board - Jan. 19
Web site offers forum for resident work-hour ideas - Jan. 19
Maryland to get liability coalition - Jan. 12
AAMC to rethink physician supply - Jan. 12
N.C. medical board suspends physician's license over expert testimony - Jan. 12
AMA to draft model scope legislation - Jan. 5
AMA to look to change bankruptcy law - Jan. 5
Visa complications slowing down noncitizen physicians - Jan. 5
AMA to study drug price controls - Jan. 5
Iraqi physicians visiting the United States - Jan. 5
Residency programs in trouble - Jan. 5
Ky. hospital given immunity in malpractice case - Jan. 5

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

50% of Hispanics and 25% of blacks do not have a regular doctor; 80% of whites do. Read more

Business briefs 2004

Quarterly HMO profits top $3 billion - Dec. 27
JCAHO offers principles on quality pay - Dec. 20
HealthSouth aims for legal settlement - Dec. 20
HCA grows in outpatient market - Dec. 20
Suit claims WellPoint owes back taxes - Dec. 13
Select Medical agrees to buy SemperCare - Dec. 13
MedCath announces new president - Dec. 13
HealthSouth to sell "digital hospital" - Dec. 13
Mich. Blues introduce bonus program - Dec. 6
One-third of hospitals in the red - Dec. 6
For-profit hospital company expands - Dec. 6
Physician buys Tenet hospital - Dec. 6
Retainer practice organizations merge - Dec. 6
United companies pay fine - Nov. 22/29
MedQuist reports "unreliable" - Nov. 22/29
Tenet kickback trial opens - Nov. 15
AHRQ awards multimillion grant - Nov. 15
Group urges health infotech charity - Nov. 15
Illinois Blues fire accused ID thief - Nov. 15
Dialysis companies receive subpoenas - Nov. 15
Coventry buys First Health - Nov. 8
Select Medical goes private - Nov. 8
Quest boosts stake in QMed - Nov. 8
"Personalized medicine" group forms - Nov. 8
Groups receive performance bonuses - Nov. 8
UnitedHealth profits up - Nov. 1
Tenet to sell 3 Mass. hospitals - Nov. 1
Groups feel cost pressure - Oct. 25
Texas osteopathic hospital closes - Oct. 25
National foundation awards grants for online disease management research - Oct. 25
South Carolina Blues implements Internet telephony - Oct. 25
UnitedHealth hires airline exec - Oct. 18
Empire test-drives e-visits - Oct. 18
Health care venture capital down - Oct. 18
Tenet to sell 4 hospitals - Oct. 18
Report details Calif. ED crisis - Oct. 18
WebMD uncovers financial mistakes - Oct. 11
Kaiser unveils ad campaign - Oct. 11
EMR certification group sets goals - Oct. 11
Physicians buy Tenet hospital - Oct. 4
PacifiCare buys Wis. HMO - Oct. 4
MinuteClinic gets financing - Sept. 27
Mich. societies sues Blues - Sept. 27
HealthSouth appoints new CFO - Sept. 27
Another California hospital to close - Sept. 27
HMO profits up - Sept. 20
Tenet sells more hospitals - Sept. 20
UnitedHealth enters claims clearinghouse market - Sept. 20
Calif. regulator: Dismiss Anthem suit - Sept. 13
Seattle HMO workers strike - Sept. 13
Blues plan appeals Alaska decision - Sept. 13
Indiana physician-owned hospital in bankruptcy - Sept. 13
Ex-HealthSouth executive barred from all boardrooms - Sept. 13
R.I. Blues leader gets severance - Sept. 6
Scrushy's trial reset - Sept. 6
Tech firms ally in e-prescribing effort - Sept. 6
MedQuist overhauls billing practices - Sept. 6
AMGA issues income report - Aug. 23/30
Triad announces uninsured discounts - Aug. 23/30
Study looks at drug rep visits - Aug. 16
Survey: Hospital CEO salaries increase - Aug. 16
HCA profits increase - Aug. 16
Vanguard is acquired - Aug. 16
Calif. Blue Cross pays quality bonuses - Aug. 9
Tenet sells four hospitals - Aug. 9
Group plans efficiency measure - Aug. 9
Tenet sells troubled Calif. hospital - Aug. 2
Ex-HealthSouth execs plead innocent - Aug. 2
ChartOne to acquire eWebHealth - Aug. 2
More consumers surf health plan sites - Aug. 2
WebMD acquires ViPS - July 26
Report: Health care still hot investment option for venture capitalists - July 26
Filmmaker Moore to take on health care - July 26
RelayHealth raises $10 million - July 19
Maryland commissioner moves to Amerigroup - July 12
HealthSouth hires new COO - July 12
Delegates define hospital day - July 5
Tenet raises $1 billion - July 5
Ex-lender gets jail time - July 5
MedQuist delisted from NASDAQ - July 5
HIMSS buys research firm - June 28
Most hospitals up tech spending - June 28
Sony exiting U.S. handheld market - June 28
Big Calif. IPA reports gain - June 28
New Minn. law protects physicians - June 21
Physician incentive program expands - June 21
Panel concocts e-prescribing recipe - June 21
Tenet sells hospital in Spain - June 21
Calif. to examine insurance merger - June 14
United expands in Europe - June 14
Computers miss prescribing errors - June 14
Greenway lands venture capital - June 14
Oxford CEO could get big payment - June 7
HCA names insider to take over large division - June 7
Ardent to buy Tulsa health system - June 7
Thief does smash-and-grab for IDs - June 7
Doctor impersonator sent to prison - June 7
Symphony Healthcare hits a sour note - June 7
Investor group buys hospital company - May 24/31
Tenet moves headquarters to Dallas - May 24/31
Aetna unveils end-of-life benefits - May 24/31
Draft EMR standard approved - May 17
AMA joins CCR effort - May 17
Ex-HealthSouth execs plead guilty - May 17
Health care deals slow, but value up - May 17
HCA bolsters outpatient division - May 17
Health Net gets fined - May 10
Report: E-prescribing would be a big money-saver - May 3
More government probes for Tenet - May 3
HealthSouth loses with bondholders - May 3
Tenet board members leaving - April 26
Study finds economic power shifted to hospitals - April 26
Highmark closes wellness centers - April 26
WebMD acquires Dakota Imaging - April 26
Tenet leaders buy stock - April 19
N.Y.: Health plans short on info - April 19
Primary care informatics group forms - April 19
MedQuist investigates billing practices - April 19
U.S. Oncology bought out - April 19
Online consultations slow to take off - April 12
Blues approve Anthem-WellPoint deal - April 12
R.I. AG blasts plan giveback - April 12
N.C. Blues could face reserve limit - April 12
Florida Blues looks into overbilling - April 12
HealthSouth delays report - April 12
Tenet finances fall - April 5
Hospital spending set to increase - March 22/29
WebMD posts 4th quarter profit - March 22/29
HMO profits rise - March 22/29
Pay-for-performance program grows - March 22/29
VHA probes hospital strategies - March 15
PacifiCare CEO to be board chair - March 15
Study claims tech can save billions - March 15
Sprint forms mobile alliance - March 15
Physician investor ousted as hospital chief - March 8
Ill. seeks coverage for trainers - March 8
Tenet names chief operating officer - March 1
FTC clears giant PBM merger - March 1
TeleVox buys SmartTalk - March 1
HCA announces 2003 profit - Feb. 23
Surgery center operator makes IPO - Feb. 23
Executives gauge health future - Feb. 23
More spent on health care mergers - Feb. 16
Tenn. company gets funds for hospital purchases - Feb. 16
WebMD buys Physicians Online - Feb. 16
Highmark makes plans for surplus - Feb. 16
Kaiser offers online health info - Feb. 16
Zix acquires MyDocOnline - Feb. 16
Drug companies form high-tech alliances - Feb. 16
New board members join HealthSouth - Feb. 16
ED care usually paid on appeal - Feb. 9
Ohio hospital yanks privileges - Feb. 9
Mass. Blues plan reports heart savings - Feb. 9
MedicaLogic founder joins HIMSS - Feb. 9
Survey: More businesses reaching cap on retiree health benefits - Feb. 2
GE Medical sells SpaceLabs - Feb. 2
Tenet whistle-blowers get $8.1 million - Jan. 26
MGMA: Orthopedists' costs on rise - Jan. 26
Analyst downgrades managed care - Jan. 19
Pain care company grows - Jan. 19
Gentiva raises outlook - Jan. 19
Express Scripts gets CuraScript - Jan. 19
DrFirst, ePocrates form alliance - Jan. 19
Hospital bad debt expected to rise - Jan. 12
Hospital turns to physicians for help - Jan. 12
HealthSouth board members resign - Jan. 12
Companies secure URAC accreditation - Jan. 12
U.S. Oncology issues finance warning - Jan. 5
ProxyMed buys PlanVista - Jan. 5

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

Medical home pilot programs will pay physicians in 4 states extra to coordinate care. Read more

Health & Science briefs 2004

AMA clarifies policy on adolescents seeking confidential care - Dec. 27
Making clinical trial data more available - Dec. 27
NCI awards go to labs for cancer biomarker research - Dec. 27
Prescription drug use rising for all age groups - Dec. 27
Teens and pertussis - Dec. 20
Stronger Accutane safeguards - Dec. 20
HIV testing higher among targeted populations - Dec. 20
Drinking water could benefit those with low blood pressure - Dec. 20
AMA condemns NASCAR decision to allow liquor sponsorship - Dec. 13
Radio frequency to help detect counterfeit drugs - Dec. 13
Depo-Provera warning from FDA - Dec. 13
Ovarian cancer may have early warning signs - Dec. 13
NIAID initiates flu virus genome sequencing project - Dec. 6
Older, generic NSAID may have lower GI complications - Dec. 6
Tobacco control scores wins on election day - Nov. 22/29
SSRI talking points issued by AACAP - Nov. 22/29
Frequent Pap smears may be an option for young women with abnormal tests - Nov. 22/29
Cardiac valve disease deaths run in the family - Nov. 22/29
Study finds OTC meds can bring relief, and savings - Nov. 15
Protein levels play role in targeting new drugs for epilepsy, Alzheimer's - Nov. 15
Wrong grip on golf club can be a pain in the hand - Nov. 15
Screening detects celiac before symptoms appear, but at older age - Nov. 15
More flu vaccine available in January - Nov. 8
Intra-abdominal fat raises risk for metabolic syndrome - Nov. 8
WHI results for HT may not be relevant for younger women - Nov. 8
SSRI warning ordered by FDA - Nov. 1
Alzheimer's study would measure cognitive impairment - Nov. 1
Sinusitis study supports treatment with antifungals - Nov. 1
Study reinforces need for nutritional counseling after bariatric surgery - Nov. 1
ACOG recommends gynecological exam for teens - Oct. 25
Counseling helps stem alcohol use - Oct. 25
Type of HT may determine degree of cardiovascular trouble - Oct. 25
Injected osteoporosis drug shows effectiveness - Oct. 25
Manufacturer voluntarily withdraws popular arthritis drug - Oct. 18
Studies find more community-acquired drug-resistant infections - Oct. 18
Dietary supplements yield health benefits and cost savings - Oct. 18
Firm gets grant for avian flu vaccine - Oct. 18
Drug-resistant bacteria meets phage therapy - Oct. 11
Tobacco trial redux - Oct. 11
CDC reinstates full pneumococcal vaccine recommendations - Oct. 11
FDA committee recommends approval of meningococcal disease shot - Oct. 11
Treatment guides issued for asbestos-related disease - Oct. 4
Continuing 9/11 health risks studied - Oct. 4
Study finds less underage drinking at campuses with AMA program - Oct. 4
At-home sleep apnea test may be effective - Oct. 4
Depressed patients' physical symptoms persist after treatment - Sept. 27
Pneumococcal vaccine reduces mild, moderate illness - Sept. 27
Study links high doses of arthritis meds to increased heart attack risk - Sept. 20
Medication comparable to surgery for elderly chest pain patients - Sept. 20
Study calls omega-3 fatty acid super brain food against Alzheimer's disease - Sept. 20
Cancer risk from full-body scans? - Sept. 20
HHS' pandemic plan on vaccines, flu - Sept. 13
U.S. sees care as primary importance - Sept. 13
Contraception risk of STDs - Sept. 13
NIH releases strategy for obesity epidemic fight - Sept. 13
Patients with type 2 diabetes may benefit from statins - Sept. 6
Doctors may be overdoing colonoscopies - Sept. 6
New tools approved against radiation contamination - Sept. 6
Sedative abuse landing more people in ED - Sept. 6
Fifth disease puts pregnancies at risk - Aug. 23/30
Advances in psoriasis treatments - Aug. 23/30
Cancer vaccine shows promise - Aug. 23/30
Prions can replicate - Aug. 23/30
Pediatricians cite barriers in talking about sexual risks - Aug. 16
Immunization rates are up, but they could be better - Aug. 16
Disaster response tool aids in pinpointing alternate sites for care - Aug. 16
Food allergy law passed - Aug. 9
Women's migraines strongly associated with menstruation - Aug. 9
Alzheimer's drug shows some benefit - Aug. 9
Low-salt diet benefits normotensives, too - Aug. 9
Cancer therapy would include customized vaccinations - Aug. 2
Children and television could equal health problems later in life - Aug. 2
Niacin associated with reduced Alzheimer's risk - Aug. 2
Programs targeting pediatric obesity come too late - Aug. 2
Gains in treating Alzheimer's - July 26
Rapidly rising PSA linked to prostate cancer mortality - July 26
CDC again recommending third dose of pneumococcal vaccine - July 26
Doubt cast on Alzheimer's drugs - July 26
FDA issues antidepressant alerts - July 19
SARS readiness questioned - July 19
More states offering core newborn screening but many still fall short - July 19
Sugar-free products could be contributing to obesity epidemic - July 19
Number of teens smoking is down - July 12
GAO scores pain meds on Internet in test - July 12
AMA calls for development of return-to-work guidelines - July 12
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing restrictions necessary - July 12
AMA opposes FDA action on Plan B - July 5
Smoking deserves an "R" rating - July 5
AMA votes to support research on violence and abuse - July 5
Improvements in prison health care needed - July 5
Statins and lowering glaucoma risk - June 28
Calcium plays role in reducing risk of colorectal polyps - June 28
Home blood pressure monitoring improves control - June 28
CDC collaboration results in new test for anthrax - June 28
Reports out on ovarian cancer screening, symptoms - June 21
Pharmacy records don't tell the whole story - June 21
Yo-yo dieting bad for immune system - June 21
Hormone replacement benefits - June 14
Aspirin helps women, too - June 14
If asthma is bad, it's a girl - June 14
Teens taking fewer risks - June 7
Antidepressant withdrawn from U.S. market - June 7
Diabetes linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's - June 7
BMD confirmed as key to fracture risk - June 7
WHO warns of diabetes' growing global impact - May 24/31
Plans change for Plan B - May 24/31
CDC sees burst of Lyme disease - May 24/31
Frequent ear infections in childhood linked to asthma - May 24/31
More Americans at risk for diabetes - May 17
ACP recommends that more diabetics take statins - May 17
Fish oil found to be heart healthy - May 17
More gonorrhea cases resistant to oral antibiotics - May 17
Smoking cessation success reported - May 10
Serious dieting helps avoid diabetes, heart problems - May 10
Young adult blood pressure readings could mislead - May 10
Statin use does not increase breast cancer risk - May 10
Final data from WHI's estrogen-only arm published - May 3
Are politics stalling OTC status for emergency contraceptives? - May 3
Smallpox trial halted - May 3
Gentle injection method tested - May 3
Correlation between aging population and increases in blindness - April 26
STD awareness still lacking - April 26
Hormone levels may indicate colorectal cancer risk - April 26
Updated recommendations for alcohol screening - April 19
Transcendental meditation can lower blood pressure - April 19
New health survey finds most children in good health - April 19
Intense multipronged diabetes management program can improve outcomes - April 19
Osteoporosis drug cuts fracture risk - April 12
FDA broadens antidepressant warnings - April 12
Explanation for why viruses make asthma worse? - April 12
Most schizophrenics don't take meds, raising health care costs - April 12
Teen years peak time for inhalant abuse - April 5
Smallpox rash most often a benign skin reaction - April 5
Large study of treatments for childhood type 2 diabetes launched - April 5
TB decline starts to slow - April 5
Pneumonia-risk calculator available for handhelds - March 22/29
Blood screening stymies spread of West Nile virus - March 22/29
Harmless virus linked to longer life expectancy for HIV-positive men - March 22/29
Children more likely to inherit heart disease from moms than from dads - March 22/29
Cold kits stifle pleas for antibiotics - March 15
Postal workers could become foot soldiers in the war against terrorism - March 15
Antibiotics unnecessary for minor childhood skin infections - March 15
Gestational diabetes rates increased 35% in a decade - March 15
Cereal can be good for your heart - March 8
Childhood flu shots cost-effective - March 8
Many asthmatics sensitive to aspirin and don't know it - March 8
As age increases, so does car-crash risk - March 8
Fourth pneumococcal vaccine dose suspended temporarily - March 1
Life expectancy longer than ever, infant deaths increase - March 1
Salt and water - March 1
Public health readiness - March 1
Premature birth rate on the rise - Feb. 23
HT linked to breast cancer recurrence - Feb. 23
HHS to establish quitline network - Feb. 23
Overnight noise levels at hospitals as loud as jackhammers - Feb. 23
New TB vaccine advances - Feb. 16
Additional BSE safeguards planned - Feb. 16
Physicians should consider early measles vaccine for traveling babies - Feb. 16
Patients taking antipsychotics should be screened, monitored - Feb. 16
Lifestyle changes and supplements for mild menopause symptoms - Feb. 9
Obesity costs tallied - Feb. 9
Cost of injuries extends beyond medical expenses - Feb. 9
Zoonotic infections studied - Feb. 9
Cardiac disease factors up - Feb. 2
Heavy drinkers use narcotics for back pain despite warnings - Feb. 2
Asian bird flu hitting people, too - Feb. 2
Benefits from a little exercise - Feb. 2
FDA says no to silicone gel implants - Jan. 26
Vitamin D could decrease risk of multiple sclerosis - Jan. 26
Western medicine studies Eastern herbal remedy for jaundice - Jan. 26
Adult-onset asthma may be different from child-onset asthma - Jan. 26
Corticosteroids-fracture risk dispelled - Jan. 19
Few fans of OTC allergy treatments - Jan. 19
Air travel and DVT link studied - Jan. 19
Carcinogens found in nonsmokers who hang around smokers - Jan. 19
Doctors prefer prescribing newer blood pressure drugs - Jan. 19
Knee replacement consensus - Jan. 12
Potassium iodide should be widely available, report says - Jan. 12
HIV-positive patients not getting safe-sex message - Jan. 12
Expediting trip from bench to bedside - Jan. 5
Support for NIH peer review system - Jan. 5
AMA works to improve handling of mass casualties - Jan. 5
People with developmental disabilities should have equal access to care, says AMA - Jan. 5

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

The Institute of Medicine named its top 100 comparative effectiveness research topics. Read more

The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment.
AMA House - Slideshow - Updates

Feature articles

Health reform review The Massachusetts experience

Litigation stress Being sued is personal as well as professional

Need a practice management system Here's what to look for

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Nov. 16 issue

Disruptive behavior by doctors, nurses persists a year after crackdown
A survey of physician and nurse executives raises questions on how to implement zero-tolerance policies required by the Joint Commission.

Some specialists will see extra cuts in Medicare pay
Specialties involving heavy use of MRI and CT imaging will see particularly large reductions, prompting worry that some practices will close.

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Columns and series

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Liability premium increases slowing, yet rates remain at record highs Nov. 15, 2004

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Index 2004: News in brief

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Professional Issues briefs 2004

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Health & Science briefs 2004

Feature articles

Comprehensive coverage

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Nov. 16 issue

Columns and series

From the vault: 5 years ago