Dec. 17, 2007: Table of Contents

American Medical News   vol. 50 no. 47
Top stories - Government - Profession - Business - Opinion - Health - 2007 index

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"The U.S. military medical system's reputation has been tremendously hurt by doctors' failure to push back on things done in the war on terror. Professionalism education may not need to include the Geneva Conventions, specifically, but it does need to cover the question of why a professionalism spine is required and the price that has to be paid to use it," says Steven Miles, MD, professor of medicine and bioethics at the University of Minnesota Medical School, in reaction to a study showing that medical students don't know what a physician's ethical obligations are during a time of war.

INSIDE THIS WEEK Rise of the e-mandates Doctors are feeling pressure to buy into health IT, no matter what they think about its use. In Business Punitive damages for privacy breach Judges in the New York case noted that the violation wasn't intentional, but still harmful. In Profession Missing the HIV message Even after decades of AIDS prevention efforts, new at-risk groups are being identified. In Health

Top stories

Cautious optimism greets second year of stable, lower liability premiums
Doctors warn that insurance rates are still extremely high in some areas and that courts could overturn recent tort reforms.

FDA eyes "behind the counter" drug category with greater clinical role for pharmacists
Pharmacists argue it will increase access to health care, but physicians say it could endanger patients.

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Government & Medicine

Court: Non-radiologists can't refer for in-office imaging
The debate over Maryland's self-referral law heads to an appeals court where another trial court ruling could play a role.

FCC dedicates $417 million to expanding rural telehealth systems
Strong interest leads the commission to quadruple the program's budget.

Florida begins electronic health record pilot program for Medicaid recipients
The system could link 25,000 patients in one county.

Government news briefs:

• AHIC endorses e-prescribing mandate
• Ohio delays Medicaid doctor pay hikes
• Physicians receiving Medicare survey
• Romney supports federal medical liability reform

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Professional Issues

Punitive damages ruled OK for privacy breach
The New York decision says the extra penalty is needed to prevent future violations.

Future doctors flunk military medical ethics test
Physician service during the war on terror presents a dual-loyalty dilemma that medical schools should address, experts say.

Finding specialists to answer ED call getting even harder
Some hospitals are trying to solve on-call shortages by paying daily or monthly stipends.

Professional Issues news briefs:

• Ohio high court overturns $30 million verdict
• New study: Illegal Latino immigrants use Calif. health care less than U.S.-born Hispanics

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Business

Rise of the e-mandates: Soon, you may not have a choice
As the drumbeat for use of health information technology grows louder, physicians are feeling pressure to buy in -- no matter what they think about its value.

Cigna expands with Great-West health deal
The company gains ground in the small-group market and Western states with the $1.5 billion purchase.

Practice Pointers: You can still act to lower this year's taxes

Quick View: Quality care not always enough

Business news briefs:

• New York RHIO opens
• Indiana distributes clinical support

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AMA's plan for 2008
The American Medical Association lays out strategies to improve the environment in which physicians and patients operate and offers tools for their everyday lives.

AMA Leader Commentary: More maydays for a Medicare meltdown

Letters:

• Small practices could benefit from EMR data -- if given the chance

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Health & Science

Missing the HIV message (American Public Health Assn. annual meeting)
After decades, efforts toward AIDS prevention may seem tired and worn. But people are still getting sick, as new at-risk populations are being identified.

Avenues explored for improving health literacy
A conference focuses on the scope of the problem and on ways physicians and others can help patients who have trouble understanding instructions and information.

Occasional fasting may have cardiovascular benefits
A study suggests that taking a short break from food may mean better health.

Health news briefs:

• Physical activity increases while obesity rates level off
• Hib vaccine supplies are cut
• FDA concerned over anti-smoking drug
• Sleep duration may relate to diabetes

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