Professional Issues

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AMA meeting: AMA to renew fight for Medicare balance billing
Some physicians say patients understand that they are struggling with practice costs and would accept balance billing. - Dec. 3

State boards keep an eye on medical spas
A Massachusetts task force may provide a model for other boards to follow. - Dec. 3

Doctors gain insight from theater training
Virginia residents learn to read body language to give patients better care. - Dec. 3

California regulators halt plan's confidentiality agreements
Physicians remain concerned because the order does not apply retroactively. Blue Cross says it will revise the contracting requirement. - Dec. 3

Student loan deferment program restored -- for now
Qualifying residents get a year's reprieve while final rules are developed to determine the program's future. - Dec. 3

University of California system loses tuition-hike appeal
The California Court of Appeals upholds a $33.8 million award to medical students and others. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: Principles aimed at better physician-hospital relations
The new policy could help doctors resist what they perceive as hospital leaders' attempts to undermine physician autonomy and interfere with patient care. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: Consent should be required for HIV testing, AMA says
Delegates also recommend legislation allowing doctors to provide STD therapies for patients to give their partners. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: CEJA to study doctors' duty to guarantee access
The ethics body also tackled conflicts of interest in sports medicine. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: AMA guidelines say health reform should be universal, offer choice of benefits
The Association supports state efforts to cover the uninsured. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: Delegates seek tax credit to help pay for EMRs
Also, the AMA will develop contracting guidelines for doctors who accept health IT donations from hospitals. - Dec. 3

AMA meeting: Efforts renewed for physician antitrust relief
AMA delegates said physicians need legislative reforms to create a foundation for fair contract negotiations. - Dec. 3

Ethics Forum: Trained interpreters: a necessary expense - Dec. 3

Quick View: AMA meeting: Tax deductions vs. credits - Dec. 3

Sex offenders are banned from practicing medicine in California. Read more

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