May 5, 2008: Table of Contents
American Medical News vol. 51 no. 17
Top stories -
Government -
Profession -
Business -
Opinion -
Health -
2008 index
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Top stories
Baby boomer time bomb: Too many aging patients, too few geriatricians
An IOM study predicts severe work force shortages, fueled in part by low reimbursements.
Lawyers' misconduct triggers new liability trials
Two courts found that breaches of courtroom etiquette inappropriately influenced case outcomes.
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Government & Medicine
MedPAC advises raising primary care pay
If Congress approves the plan, physicians who are not designated as such would be paid less by Medicare.
GAO: CMS violated law with SCHIP eligibility directive
The agency, however, says most of the 17 states affected by the order likely are meeting its standards and can receive funding for expanded enrollment.
State-by-state analysis ties lack of insurance to earlier death
People without health coverage are at higher mortality risk because they skip preventive care and necessary treatment, researchers say.
AMA urges more safeguards in federal patient safety rules
The proposed regulations would create a voluntary medical error reporting system.
Quick View: Practice trends influencing charity care
Government news briefs:
- Specialty hospital ban dropped
- CMS offers $50 million in grants to boost primary care access
- Massachusetts EMR project extended
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Professional Issues
Public pleas for organs fuel ethical qualms
Experts at a transplant ethics conference weigh the pros and cons of allowing strangers to donate to patients who plead their cases on the Internet.
Physicians examine the role of annual checkups in prevention
A study found that 80% of preventive care occurred outside such yearly visits, prompting a closer look at their importance, content and even timing.
Texas court finds board exceeded its authority and podiatrists' scope
Physicians and podiatrists disagree on the impact of the appellate court's ruling.
Quick View: Part-time doctors
Ethics Forum: Ambiguously ill pose challenge for doctors
Professional Issues news briefs:
- Medical home concept gains support
- N.J. doctors likely to see losses after insurer insolvency
- Insurer faces lawsuit over policy cancellations
- Survey: Mich. doctor supply tightens
- Council calls for physician, nurse supply conference
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Business
EMR success stories: Practices that are thriving after the changeover
Physicians who have seen an electronic medical records system pay for itself within a year share how they, and their systems, made it happen.
Colorado moves to regulate tiered networks
The state's bill follows national agreements by health insurers to make physician-rating systems more transparent and based less on costs.
Contract Language: Use your practice contract to ease into retirement
Business news briefs:
- Aetna wins major corporate contract
- Regence, Tenn. Blues buy IT company
- EMR disease system tested
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Opinion
Ohio lifts the veil on insurer contracts
The state's new, sweeping law on health plan contracts sends a message that "take it or leave it" approaches by health insurers are not acceptable in physician negotiations.
AMA Leader Commentary: Convenient care clinics merit a closer look by physicians
Letters:
- Number doesn't tell whole story of how psychiatrists view health plans
- It's up to the woman if a pregnancy creates 1 patient or 2
- EMRs have 2 strikes against them
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Health & Science
Starving for perfection: The changing face of anorexia
Anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders pose new diagnostic and treatment challenges as they affect younger and older patients.
Hip, knee replacement surgery rates skyrocket over 7 years
The operations have proven to be cost-effective, but concern is growing that the burgeoning need will overtax the health care system.
Quest for new antibiotics leads to novel sources
Clay and alligators are among things researchers are exploring to stop resistant infections. Physician groups continue to stress the importance of appropriate prescribing.
Food safety falls short of national goals
The latest CDC numbers find that progress has stalled. Rates are flat or starting to increase.
Health news briefs:
- Bone loss tied to diuretics for men
- Antibiotics have little effect on sinusitis
- No antihistamine support for kids with chronic cough
- DASH diet cuts heart disease, stroke risk
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