TABLE OF CONTENTS

Oct. 5, 2009

American Medical News  Print edition cover date Oct 12, 2009, vol. 52 no. 22.

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

Top stories

Physician job search strategy shifts as Internet booms, economy busts
Physician recruiters say they're more likely to go online to find job candidates than to use search firms.

Doctor's rap on H1N1 prevention wins HHS contest
A New York physician's video went viral online after beating more than 240 entries to air on TV this fall as a public service announcement.

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Government & Medicine

CMS probes Humana's lobbying tactics on reform
A complaint by Sen. Baucus stems from the insurer's mailings to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; Republicans say the CMS response is politically motivated.

Merger guideline review could affect insurer consolidation
The AMA applauds an announcement that the FTC and Justice Dept. will explore updates to the 17-year-old guidelines on consolidations.

Medicare use found to vary significantly by location
The preliminary MedPAC report partially confirms Medicare spending analyses by the Dartmouth Atlas Project, but diverges on some points.

System reform bill revisited by House panel that OK'd it
The Energy and Commerce Committee rejects physician balance billing, but adds hospital and health plan disclosure requirements.

News briefs:

• Medicare Part B premium support passes House
• Calif. federal court again rejects Medicaid payment cuts
• Without system reform, millions more will be uninsured, report says

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Professional Issues

Resident duty hours: Does more sleep mean safer care?
Six years after resident work limits took effect, the impact on safety is still hotly contested. A push for more sleep is reigniting the debate.

4 physicians honored with MacArthur, Lasker awards
Work in geriatrics, infectious diseases, public health and cancer treatment is recognized.

In the Courts: Florida lawsuit takes swing at 3-strikes liability rule

News briefs:

• One dose of H1N1 vaccine found effective for children 10 and older
• Trial lawyer ads for liability cases on the rise
• NIH accepting embryonic stem cell line applications

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Opinion

Uninsured are more than just numbers
The count of people without health insurance is growing, but the bigger issue is a lack of access to affordable coverage.

AMA Leader Commentary: AMA's private sector advocacy efforts yield results

Letters:

• Long-term price of administration's reform plan is unacceptable
• Stores have plenty of vaccine, but this practice is on the waiting list

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Business

Electronic medical records: How implementation will affect staffing
Some practices may be able to cut staff. But others may hire, and some may shuffle responsibilities. View in PDF  

Nonprofit Blues plans report declining earnings in 2008
Experts predict higher premiums and co-pays, and tougher contract negotiations for physicians.

Practice Management: Review your sick-leave policy before flu season hits

News briefs:

• Mass layoffs in health care industry decrease
• Dell acquires Perot Systems
• Oregon judge finds Regence rate hike approval followed the law

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