TABLE OF CONTENTS

Feb. 16, 2009

American Medical News  Print edition cover date Feb 23, 2009, vol. 52 no. 8.

Top stories - Government - Profession - Business - Opinion - Health - 2009 index

Top stories

Court sides with doctors on privacy of Medicare claims, reverses 2007 ruling
The AMA joined the government in appealing an earlier decision that would have led to selected data being posted online.

Octuplets case sparks ethics uproar over IVF excess and patient screening
Fertility groups want a closer look at the doctor's actions, but oppose more regulation of the reproductive technology. View in PDF  

To our readers: Changes at American Medical News
A letter from the editor about how we will be bringing the news to you.

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Government & Medicine

CHIP called "down payment" in reform effort
President Obama also rescinds Bush administration restrictions on state use of federal children's health money.

Court issues rare Stark ruling on physician-hospital agreement
The federal appellate ruling also highlights the potential for these joint financial arrangements to lead to false claims liability.

News briefs:

• Number of uninsured rises in Pa.

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Professional Issues

Early Innovators (book excerpt: Frontier Medicine)
Author and historian David Dary chronicles medicine's role as the pioneers moved westward.

States consider requiring hospitals to screen for MRSA
As the drug-resistant staph rate grows, lawmakers call for a more aggressive response. But doctors question mandates.

News briefs:

• HHS ramps up message on preventing hospital infections

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Business

Fraying safety net: Insurer of last resort feeling financial pinch
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans say hits to their bottom line will be felt throughout the health care system.

States move to limit insurance rescissions
Legislatures are introducing bills restricting insurers' ability to revoke individual health insurance policies.

Contract Language: Noncompete clause may not restrict you

News briefs:

• S.C. Blues plan opens retail store

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Opinion

AMA's enhanced Web site
The Association retooled its site to provide physicians with easier access to a wide range of professional resources.

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Health & Science

Patient choice can help target dyspepsia care
Initiating treatment with an antacid and stepping up appears to achieve results similar to beginning with a PPI and stepping down.

Geriatric Consult: Addressing involuntary weight loss

News briefs:

• Number of suicides in the military up
• RSV leads large number of children to needed medical care

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