Dec. 25, 2006: Table of Contents
American Medical News vol. 49 no. 48
Top stories -
Government -
Profession -
Business -
Opinion -
Health -
2006 index
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Top stories
Last-minute Medicare pay package freezes rates, adds reporting bonus
Organized medicine prevails on a Medicare stopgap measure but renews calls for system overhaul as the price tag increases for a 2008 fix.
Will industry follow Pfizer lead on drug rep cuts?
Expiring medication patents and a changing physician climate may shape how many drug reps doctors see.
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Government & Medicine
Doctors may not be ready for single ID
The health care community as a whole needs more time to get up to speed on the new national identifier, a health care coalition says.
Court: Patients can't file federal privacy suits against doctors
Physicians still can get sued in state court. The plaintiff attorney says that's not enough.
Government news briefs:
- Health plans must reveal Medicaid pay rates, Conn. court says
- FDA chief confirmed
- Most uninsured not rich enough or poor enough to get coverage
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Professional Issues
Testifying to torture: How doctors find the truth
For two decades, physicians with the Asylum Network have used their medical skills to help refugees find safe harbor in the United States.
Regence halts network opposed by Washington state doctors
Physicians and the health plan intend to collaborate on quality measures, but the defamation portion of the doctors' lawsuit against the insurer will continue.
Doctors catalysts for pay-for-performance program
A Washington state oncology group hopes its "clinical pathways" project can improve care, reduce insurer costs and boost the bottom line.
Professional Issues news briefs:
- Visa waiver program extension almost complete
- Reports assess liability situation
- Medical center, health alliance win national quality awards
- Payment lawsuit can go forward
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Business
First impressions: Make it a good one
Receptionists represent the face of your practice, experts note, making them important employees, both in terms of patient satisfaction and marketing.
Enrollment in consumer-driven health care stalls
Studies suggest Americans are slow to adopt new types of health plans, but experts say more education and communication are needed.
Practice Management: The other E&M guidelines: etiquette and manners
Business news briefs:
- Pediatrix reports stock backdating
- Two surveys, two conclusions on EMR
- Practice management companies merge
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Opinion
Keeping children safe online
The Internet age presents a new range of public health and safety concerns that require awareness and involvement.
Letters:
- If Florida's Supreme Court can't speak tort reform, perhaps the state's medical and legal leaders can
- Find the right limits for e-mail consults between doctor, patient
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Health & Science
Lyme disease debate provokes treatment divide, legal action
In what may be a first, the government has taken steps to investigate the drafting of medical guidelines.
Doctors explore expanding age groups for HPV vaccine
Some physicians are already administering this shot off-label to women older than 26, and studies are ongoing.
Study: No ill effects from mild thyroid disease
Testing is easy, but treating borderline levels might not make a difference.
Health news briefs:
- Novel cholesterol drug trial halted
- Tobacco money not funding prevention
- Seniors' health improving
- AMA issues medical encyclopedia
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Copyright 2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
