TABLE OF CONTENTS

March 9, 2009

American Medical News  Print edition cover date March 16, 2009, vol. 52 no. 9.

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

Top stories

Obama budget sets stage for reform of health care system, Medicare pay
The president requests a $634 billion fund to pay for some big changes.

Scope of practice expansions fuel legal battles
Physicians combat legislative and regulatory actions they say infringe on the practice of medicine and endanger patient safety.

Back to top

Government & Medicine

Medicare tries to push doctor enrollment online
Complaints voiced after the system rollout are prompting CMS to change its policy and let physicians' staffs use PECOS.

Some say stimulus boosts government role in health decisions
The recently adopted package increases support for research into the best treatments for the same medical conditions or illnesses.

MedPAC report calls for 1.1% doctor pay raise in 2010
The commission concluded that access to physicians is stable but recommended a shift of more funds to primary care.

News briefs:

• Obama nominates Kansas governor for HHS secretary
• WellCare's Medicare plans to halt enrollment, marketing
• New York, Utah physicians fight for liability protections

Back to top

Professional Issues

Doctors override most e-Rx safety alerts
E-prescribing systems' clinical decision support is "grossly inadequate," says a new study. But there are ways to stop low-severity alerts.

Fed court upholds New York City's calorie-posting rule
City officials and physicians promoted the regulation as an important step in fighting obesity. Other states and localities have since followed suit. View in PDF  

Wash. completes final rules on physician-assisted suicide
Opponents of the new state law charge that the regulations are not strong enough to protect patients.

Mailing reminders boosts colon cancer screening
Study findings show that primary care doctors need help getting out the preventive message to patients.

Emergency doctors join push for better EMS helicopter safety
Recommendations include more physician oversight and accreditation for medevac operators.

Mass. bill aims to reverse court expansion of physician liability
Recent rulings would allow new claims against doctors.

In the Courts: Doctor wants to share trials of liability suits with peers View in PDF  

News briefs:

• Discharge help can cut hospital use

Back to top

Business

When patients declare bankruptcy: What happens to your unpaid bills?
Experts offer tips on what you can do, and how you can recognize when a patient might be headed for financial trouble.

Most metro areas dominated by 1 or 2 health insurers
Those fighting insurer consolidation hope new attention from regulators will allow for increased competition among health plans.

Medical wiki blends social networking with research
The physician-written online medical encyclopedia is open to the public.

R.I. says Blues can't raise individual health premiums
Regulators disliked the plan putting half the money it raised into its reserves.

News briefs:

• Cigna extends phone line hours
• Study: EHRs can test drug efficacy

Back to top

Opinion

A win for physician data privacy
A federal appeals court agrees that allowing raw Medicare claims data to be posted online would hurt doctors and patients.

AMA Leader Commentary: Reflecting on successes and looking to future challenges

Back to top

Health & Science

The long goodbye: The challenge of discontinuing antidepressants
Tapering slowly is the mantra for pruning these regimens, but some patients may still experience withdrawal symptoms.

Flu shot strongly recommended for children, teens
The ACIP also calls for close contacts of children adopted overseas to receive hepatitis A vaccination.

Groups collaborate with guidance on A1c levels
Established cardiovascular disease should serve as a warning flag that attempts to reduce A1c levels much below 7% could be harmful.

Vessel disease in the eyes could signal heart disease, too
A study suggests that retinopathy may indicate cardiovascular problems in those with and without diabetes.

News briefs:

• Vitamins may cut risk for vision loss

Back to top