Table of Contents: Jan. 26, 2009

American Medical News vol. 52 no. 4. Posted online Jan. 19, 2009.

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"We are almost always closed to transfers because we are stuffed to the gills and there is no place in our hospital for them," says Marshall Morgan, MD, chief of emergency medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, not surprised by the low grades in the American College of Emergency Physicians' "National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine."

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Redefining death
To secure life-saving vital organs, some physicians are pushing the boundaries of what constitutes death.
Professional Issues
Taking a patient's financial history
Getting credit information could help patients qualify for assistance and help you figure out who is likely to pay bills.
Business
Medicare pay
Reforming the SGR formula is one of the main concerns of the Health and Human Services secretary nominee, former Sen. Tom Daschle.
Government & Medicine
The battle to stop smoking
Physicians and other smoking-cessation advocates have found a high-profile illustration of the challenges of quitting tobacco: President-elect Barack Obama.Health & Science

Government & Medicine

Medicare pay must be fixed, says HHS pick Daschle
Reforming Medicare's SGR formula is one of the main concerns for the Health and Human Services secretary nominee.

Conscience rule on abortion services faces uphill battle
Supporters say the federal regulation will prevent discrimination against physicians for their personal convictions, but opponents seek a quick reversal to protect access to care.

Government news briefs:

Obama names HHS deputy secretary
Pallone keeps House health panel chair
Wis. physicians rebuffed in effort to stop raid on liability fund

Professional Issues

Redefining death: A new ethical dilemma
To secure life-saving vital organs, some physicians are pushing the boundaries of what constitutes death. The ramifications for the transplant system could be profound. View in PDF

Emergency care system gets low grades
National report card says situation is dire in many states and changes are needed.

Professional Issues news briefs:

Study ties shorter surgeries to fewer infections

Business

Taking a financial history: Determining the health of your patient's credit rating
Getting credit information on your patients could help them qualify for assistance and help you figure out who is likely to pay bills. Plenty of companies will sell you the information, but is it worth the ethical and financial price? View in PDF

Online referral forum sees jump in health care hits
The popular Angie's List service plans an expansion of its health care ratings tool and will launch a stand-alone health publication for members.

MBA project helps get business off on the right foot
A Texas internist turned class work into a company that sells inserts for high-heel shoes.

Business news briefs:

AHIC successor has new name
Text messaging test for diabetes care
Florida Blues add MinuteClinic

Opinion

Vital need for improving teen health care
A recent report draws attention to the urgency of addressing the challenges of providing continuing medical care to this age group.

AMA Leader Commentary: Health reform is coming; let's work for a good outcome

Letters:

Day's end for a weary resident: How about a merlot on the limo ride home?
Work limits touted, but postresidency reality can mean even longer hours

Health & Science

Obama on front lines in battle to stop smoking
Experts say his efforts to quit illustrate how difficult it is.

Geriatric Consult: Depression not a "normal" part of aging

Health news briefs:

New HIV test approved
Cognitive decline associated with adult-onset diabetes starts early

Vote refines AMA stance on health reform
The AMA House of Delegates rejected attempts to rescind support of a U.S. House health reform bill and any new government-sponsored health insurance plan during the 2009 Interim Meeting.
Story - AMA House - Slideshow