TABLE OF CONTENTS

March 23, 2009

American Medical News  Print edition cover date March 30, 2009, vol. 52 no. 10.

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

Top stories

Doctors increasingly close doors to drug reps, while pharma cuts ranks
Many physicians see detailers only with scheduled appointments. Drugmakers are responding to hard times with layoffs and a shift toward online marketing. View in PDF  

Shopping list: paper towels, diapers, EMR, milk
Wal-Mart says it can make health information technology cheaper and easier for doctors to buy. But is retail the best option? View in PDF  

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Government & Medicine

Ending abortion conscience rule?
The regulation, which has split the medical community since its enactment, has many fearing it could endanger funding for and access to care.

2009 budget boosts research, health access
The federal spending bill will increase the NIH budget, bolster access to care for the uninsured and add more money for physician training.

News briefs:

• Employers support nonpayment for "never events"
• Okla. House adopts basic insurance bill

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Professional Issues

White coats in the White House: Former presidential physicians reflect on their service
Physicians who treat the president are always on call and prepared for the worst.

Bills seek to regulate in vitro fertilization
Politicians in three states propose legislation to increase scrutiny of fertility clinics.

Doctor faces assisted-suicide charge in Georgia
The arrest could hurt the push to enact "death with dignity" laws in other states.

News briefs:

• Connecticut grant aims to improve care for minorities

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Business

Challenging your rating: You don't have to accept what the health plan says
There are steps you can take to change the assigned ranking.

Technically Speaking: Texting can increase office efficiency, bottom line

Quick View: Growth spurt in spending on disease-management technology

News briefs:

• Vt. Blues interim CEO made permanent
• Pharmacy company shortens name, unveils e-prescribing resource
• More Pa. hospitals feel economic pain

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Opinion

Getting physicians what they're owed: the aftermath of the Ingenix settlement
The AMA and others in organized medicine demand health plans make good on past underpayments for out-of-network care. Aetna and Cigna learned that when they were taken to court.

AMA Leader Commentary: The challenge and opportunity for health system reform

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Health & Science

Treating metabolic disorders may aid neurologic health
New studies focus on the who and what of a metabolic-neurologic link but the why remains elusive.

Geriatric Consult: Honing in on varied causes of urinary incontinence

News briefs:

• Some medicated patches missing warning about use during MRI
• Poor balance a flag for cognitive decline among Alzheimer's patients

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