Index 2005: Regional coverage list - map

West - Midwest - Northeast - South - State roundups - Map - 2004 - 2006

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The West 2005

(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)

Utah doctors could face more liability lawsuits - Dec. 19
Doctors, consumer groups oppose tobacco tax initiative - Dec. 12
Arizona seeing shortage of psychiatrists - Dec. 12
Doctors testify against United-PacifiCare merger - Dec. 12
California ophthalmologist has mummy case all wrapped up - Nov. 21
Demand for temporary physicians keeps growing, survey finds - Nov. 14
Nevada doctors get free prescription software - Nov. 14
California law clarifies tax on locum tenens - Nov. 7
Court hears physician-assisted suicide case - Oct. 24/31
California doctors, governor make deal to stop Medicaid cuts - Oct. 17
Driving for efficiency: Saving time and money while boosting quality - Oct. 3
Specialty hospital advances despite stalled Medicare OKs - Oct. 3
California says locum tenens firms must pay employee tax - Sept. 12
California court finds physician was denied fair hearing - Aug. 22/29
California ED physicians entitled to reasonable fees for services - Aug. 15
California doctors to see higher pay-for-performance pay - Aug. 8
States fired-up on tort reform, cool on $250,000 cap - July 4
Court to weigh impact of doctors' beliefs - June 27
Costco to offer health plan to some members in California - June 27
California plaintiffs win ruling in MCAT suit - June 20
States trying to recoup Medicaid money - May 23/30
Psychologists in Louisiana and New Mexico are certified to prescribe - May 16
Link between merger, premium hike probed - May 9
California doctor behind latest store-based clinics - May 9
Retired physician has flowering enterprise - May 9
California court orders medical records unlinked from blog - May 2
The right to reject what plans demand: The Montana radiology case - Editorial May 2
Physicians in 4 states score tort reform wins - April 18
Oregon sees fewer numbers of physician-assisted suicides - April 4
Montana radiologists, Blues plan settle monopoly lawsuit - April 4
Utah to study large health systems - March 21
Good Samaritan law shields California doctor from liability - In the Courts March 14
Mistrial declared in Tenet kickback case - March 7
California medical board could be facing real changes - Feb. 14
Montana Blues executive quits after controversial tenure - Jan. 31
Nevada high court weighs in on part of tort reform law - Jan. 24
California HMOs facing drug access rule - Jan. 24
California Blues markets a hipper health plan to young adults - Jan. 17

Last year's index - Back to top

15% of the nation's 47 million uninsured are illegal immigrants. Read more

The Midwest 2005

(Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)

Higher coding spurs plan to "blend" pay rates - Dec. 26
Illinois to offer health coverage to all children - Dec. 12
Iowa suit accuses system of name infringement - Dec. 12
Illinois drug import program falls flat with doctors - Dec. 5
Peer review law at stake in Minnesota - Dec. 5
Indiana county's hospital construction ban overturned - Dec. 5
Doctors so far go one for two in state tort reform battles - Nov. 28
Wisconsin makes another run at damage caps - Nov. 14
HMO ordered not to withhold payments to podiatrists - Nov. 14
Judge orders breakup of hospital merger - Nov. 14
Chicago hospital wins lawsuit over resident crash - Oct. 24/31
Face transplant plans renew ethical debate - Oct. 17
Wisconsin opens door to liability crisis - Editorial Oct. 17
Illinois Blues accused of downcoding - Oct. 10
Doctor training starts here in 7th grade - Oct. 3
Michigan court refuses to hear certificate-of-need appeal - Sept. 26
South Dakota board separates from medical society - Sept. 19
Aetna shows HSA patients what doctors charge - Sept. 12
Wisconsin mobilizes after liability cap is overturned - Sept. 12
Iowa doctor fights making charges public - Sept. 12
Wisconsin physicians bracing for jump in insurance costs - Aug. 15
Wisconsin court strikes liability cap - Aug. 1
Medical school seniors get a glimpse of mass-casualty preparedness - Aug. 1
Mandatory reporting may restrict high-risk care - June 27
Illinois tort reform caps damages - June 13
Michigan ruling boosts standard for liability case affidavits - In the Courts June 13
Ohio liability climate improved but still in crisis - May 23/30
Kansas City doctors allege that insurers fixed prices - May 23/30
Michigan physicians fighting 1% Medicaid tax plan - April 25
Physicians in 4 states score tort reform wins - April 18
Bully case verdict a warning to doctors - April 18
Outcry builds over doctor-rating project - April 11
Wisconsin business group proposes hospital tax - April 11
The coding experts - April 11
Illinois lawsuit could further restrict resident work hours - March 21
Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear tort reform challenge - March 14
Hospital groups join legal battle for tax exemption - March 14
Unilateral contract changes: Plan gives Michigan physicians the blues - Editorial March 7
Minority enrollment up at University of Michigan Medical School - Feb. 28
Illinois judge allows suit over destroyed embryo - Feb. 28
Agreement protects physicians in Michigan Blues network - Feb. 28
Minnesota hospitals' report on "never events" released - Feb. 21
Hospital system, cardiology groups face conspiracy charges - Feb. 21
Teen sex reporting rule may threaten doctor-patient confidentiality - Feb. 14
Iowa practice draws notice for its "no-gift" policy - Feb. 14
South Dakota medical board to get new executive - Feb. 14
FTC seeking to break apart hospital merger - Feb. 14
Michigan doctors want protection from the Blues - Feb. 7
Iowa board seeks ruling on question of public charges - Jan. 31
Wisconsin damage cap doesn't cover all medical residents - Jan. 17
Minnesota seeks higher-quality, lower-priced health care - Jan. 3/10
Aetna and Ohio doctor group settle payment lawsuit - Jan. 3/10

Last year's index - Back to top

Massachusetts has the nation's most restrictive law on industry gifts to physicians. Read more

The Northeast 2005

(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont)

Physicians could face dilemma over New Hampshire abortion law decision - Dec. 26
Medical school expands teaching of palliative care - Dec. 19
New Hampshire regulates liability rates - Dec. 12
New York sues over device maker's lack of disclosure - Dec. 12
Demand for temporary physicians keeps growing, survey finds - Nov. 14
Rheumatologist's retirement plans: No screams, just ice scream smiles - Nov. 14
New bill promotes apology, negotiations to handle errors - Oct. 24/31
Nation's largest private health insurer wants to get even bigger - Oct. 17
Lawsuit accuses hospital of overworking doctor - Oct. 10
New Hampshire doctor's words trigger obesity focus - Oct. 3
Lessons they carry: Memories of terrorism's aftershocks - Sept. 12
Physician entrepreneur does a little of everything - Sept. 5
Cigna not laughing at parody - Aug. 15
Physician accuses New York radio personality of slander - Aug. 15
New York hospital system files for bankruptcy - July 25
Doctor says hospital fired him in retaliation - June 27
Mandatory reporting may restrict high-risk care - June 27
2 states pass bills helping embryonic stem cell research - June 20
Blues plan settles 4-year-old suit with New York physicians - June 13
Rhode Island slides into liability crisis; Texas escapes - June 6
New Jersey Blues plan offers e-prescribing freebies - May 16
Medical board discipline up; lawmakers demand even more - May 9
New Jersey appellate ruling adds to physicians' liability worries - May 9
Cultural competency now law in New Jersey - April 25
No absolute immunity for peer reviewers - March 7
New Jersey plan wants repayment from cardiologists - Feb. 21
ED doctors protest Blues payment shift - Feb. 7
Connecticut ruling protects doctors investigating abuse - Jan. 31
Hospitals see benefits of corporate name game - Jan. 31
New Jersey anesthesiologists win scope-of-practice battle - Jan. 17
New Jersey doctors sue insurer over forced payback - Jan. 3/10

Last year's index - Back to top

Obesity accounts for 9% of all health care spending. Read more

The South 2005

(Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia)

Boards get tougher on physician sex offenses - Dec. 19
Florida doctors, patients sue over Medicaid rates - Dec. 19
Expert witnesses need scrutiny: The Tennessee approach - Editorial Dec. 19
Tennessee county asks state for tort reform - Dec. 5
AMA honors Dr. O'Leary for JCAHO leadership - Dec. 5
Doctors so far go one for two in state tort reform battles - Nov. 28
Premera seeks for-profit status - Nov. 28
Program seeks review of expert witnesses - Nov. 21
New tort reform provisions facing attack in Georgia - Nov. 14
Demand for temporary physicians keeps growing, survey finds - Nov. 14
Florida Medicaid overhaul gets federal OK - Nov. 7
Doctors take lawyer fees fight to Florida Supreme Court - Nov. 7
Foundations give to hurricane-displaced doctors - Nov. 7
More med students facing background checks - Nov. 7
Tennessee hospitals oppose office-based surgery rules - Oct. 17
Radiation shield concept inspires a new company - Oct. 17
Tort reform ballot initiatives face off in Washington state - Oct. 10
Abortion law raises question of murder charges - Oct. 10
Texas podiatrists win case to expand scope of practice - Oct. 10
Florida high court may rule if doctors can sue over late pay - Sept. 26
Houston hospital asked to rethink naming facility for attorney - Sept. 19
Appeals of disciplinary actions could become more open - Sept. 5
Tennessee physician wins case on non-compete clause - Aug. 22/29
Plan offers real-time claims adjudication - Aug. 22/29
Texas jury finds HMO negligent in wrongful death case - Aug. 15
Florida bills limit scope of liability amendments - Aug. 8
Motorcycles get his motor running - Aug. 8
Doctors buy bankrupt Atlanta hospital - Aug. 1
Doctor's self-insurance found to meet standard - July 25
AMA lends support to Florida physicians accused of defamation - July 25
Complaint cites Georgia doctors who took part in executions - July 4
Defined by the Delta -- now leading the nation's physicians - June 27
Texas open records law sparks HIPAA lawsuit - June 20
Doctor sold exam questions on eBay - June 20
A fresh coat of white - June 13
Rhode Island slides into liability crisis; Texas escapes - June 6
Tennessee Blues plan launches online health records project - May 23/30
Psychologists in Louisiana and New Mexico are certified to prescribe - May 16
Maryland doctor fights board reprimand - May 16
Medical board discipline up; lawmakers demand even more - May 9
Florida bill would triple liability requirement - May 2
Physicians in 4 states score tort reform wins - April 18
South Carolina ponders openness of charges against doctors - April 18
Deleting computer files not enough to ensure privacy - April 18
CareFirst's D.C. affiliate clarifies charity role - April 18
Clout: The force of 819,000 voices in Washington - April 18
Federal court rules Oklahoma Medicaid doctor pay too low - April 11
Kentucky legislators approve statewide health network - April 4
Body beautiful: Anatomy as art - March 28
South Carolina may post charges against doctors - March 21
Florida, hospitals sue Tenet over Medicare billing - March 21
CareFirst announces it will absorb Maryland's HMO tax - March 14
Georgia enacts tort reform package - March 7
Virtual medical group schools physicians in business - Feb. 21
Florida doctor sues health plans over out-of-network payments - Feb. 21
Alabama court rules for hospital in bylaws case - Feb. 21
Health department investigations sent to Florida prosecutors - Feb. 21
CareFirst pumps up nonprofit commitment - Feb. 21
Psychiatrist creates "Web" of training tools - Feb. 21
South Carolina Supreme Court shoots down wrongful life claim - In the Courts Feb. 14
Maryland plans pass HMO tax on to employers - Feb. 14
Admissions process aims to boost rural doctors - Feb. 7
Supreme Court refuses to hear Schiavo case - Feb. 7
Liability premium shock is spreading, an AMNews exclusive survey shows - Jan. 31
Maryland lawmakers override governor's veto of tort reform - Jan. 31
Supreme Court leaves managed care class action intact - Jan. 31
Kentucky names doctor-founded program as model - Jan. 31
Ethics charges related to executions dropped - Jan. 31
Emergency physicians in Virginia exit Blues network - Jan. 24
Florida courts take up two tort reform ballot measures - Jan. 17
Nonprofit Blues company seeks to acquire Oklahoma plan - Jan. 3/10

Last year's index - Back to top

Only 1.5% of nonfederal U.S. hospitals and 4% of physicians are using comprehensive EHRs. Read more

State Roundups 2005

(Our coverage of trends in state legislatures and regulatory bodies is also a good source of information about developments in different parts of the country.)

Boards get tougher on physician sex offenses - Dec. 19
Congress takes on growing meth problem - Dec. 19
Florida doctors, patients sue over Medicaid rates - Dec. 19
Illinois to offer health coverage to all children - Dec. 12
AMA delegates condemn proposed Medicaid cuts - Nov. 28
Erectile dysfunction drugs won't be covered - Nov. 21
Congress, states seek ways to curtail Medicaid spending - Nov. 14
Liability premiums stabilizing, but still painfully high-priced - Nov. 7
Practices under pressure: Push toward Medicaid managed care - Nov. 7
Florida Medicaid overhaul gets federal OK - Nov. 7
Single-payer advocates push cause in states; challenges likely - Oct. 24/31
California doctors, governor make deal to stop Medicaid cuts - Oct. 17
Silent PPOs: Physicians need to know who holds their contracts - Editorial Oct. 3
Hurricane costs: Cleanup bill shuffles health budget priorities - Sept. 26
45.8 million now uninsured; growing ranks spur call for action - Sept. 19
Medicaid panel eyes restrictions on drugs physicians prescribe - Sept. 12
AMA leader on Medicaid panel stresses need to focus on physicians and patients - Sept. 12
States with a low rank in childhood immunizations look for a way up - Sept. 12
Court says groups can't sue states over Medicaid access - Sept. 5
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell studies gets a boost - Aug. 22/29
Bills offered in response to rising insurance costs - Aug. 15
SCHIP enrollment could be headed for a dive - Aug. 8
Insure or else: Who should pay for uninsured workers? - Aug. 1
Congress looks at Medicaid drug spending - July 25
Americans want to keep funding Medicaid - Quick View July 25
Doctor's self-insurance found to meet standard - July 25
AMA says doctors can levy extra charges - July 11
States fired-up on tort reform, cool on $250,000 cap - July 4
Medicaid's $10 billion quandary: How and where to make the cuts - June 27
2 states pass bills helping embryonic stem cell research - June 20
Doctors found migrating to states with caps on damages - June 20
3 regional health networks to link up - June 20
Rhode Island slides into liability crisis; Texas escapes - June 6
States trying to recoup Medicaid money - May 23/30
States face "meltdown" over Medicaid - May 16
Psychologists in Louisiana and New Mexico are certified to prescribe - May 16
Medical board discipline up; lawmakers demand even more - May 9
More states consider laws for reporting industry gifts - May 9
Cultural competency now law in New Jersey - April 25
Michigan physicians fighting 1% Medicaid tax plan - April 25
Physicians in 4 states score tort reform wins - April 18
Bills would OK federal funds for more stem cell lines - April 18
Federal court rules Oklahoma Medicaid doctor pay too low - April 11
Increase in health center funding falls short - April 4
Three crisis states show improvement since tort reform - March 28
Medicaid reform may be too late for some states - March 21
Supreme Court, lawmakers take on assisted suicide - March 14
Bush plan slows Medicaid, research funding - Feb. 28
Health department investigations sent to Florida prosecutors - Feb. 21
Projected growth puts Medicare, Medicaid at risk for cuts - Feb. 14
Cutting through the CONfusion: Movement to relax the limits - Feb. 7
Flu vaccine shortage now a surplus in some areas - Feb. 7
Medicaid revamps spark access worries - Jan. 31
Maryland lawmakers override governor's veto of tort reform - Jan. 31
Doctors to storm states for tort reform - Jan. 17
Patient safety laboratories: States pave the way for a national effort - Jan. 3/10
You ain't nothin' with a blank contract - Editorial Jan. 3/10

Last year's index - Back to top

One-third of the 46 million uninsured are childless adults earning less than 200% of poverty. 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