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The West 2010

(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)

• States spending just 2% of tobacco settlement funds on smoking prevention - Dec. 13
• California hospitals, physicians may recoup millions in insurer payments - Dec. 13
• "Health care freedom acts" may move beyond 3 states - Nov. 22
• Impact of California's Medicaid physician pay cut wasn't assessed properly, state court judge says - Nov. 15
• 91% of U.S. children are insured, survey finds - Nov. 8
• California nurse anesthetists can practice independently, judge rules - Nov. 1
• California resumes Medicaid funding for health centers - Oct. 25
• California first to OK insurance exchange outlined under health system reform - Oct. 18
• California counties get 2nd chance to challenge Medicare payments - Oct. 18
• California physicians sue over quality ratings - Sept. 27
• Physician practices have "multiplier effect" on local economies - Sept. 27
• HHS call for more insured children clashes with state budget troubles - Sept. 20
• United's alleged violations balloon to nearly 1 million - Sept. 20
• Doctor sells coffee to help Rwanda's poor - Sept. 20
• California adopting new insurance rate-setting rules - Sept. 13
• Making movies and TV shows a family affair - Sept. 6
• Medical team gives Oregon woman a new face - Aug. 2
• Health plans encounter resistance to higher premiums - Aug. 2
• Pertussis epidemic in California linked to vaccination gaps - July 26
• Anthem, Aetna submit new rate requests in California - July 19
• AMA meeting: Hospitals may be trying to recoup settlement money - June 28
• What editorial writers are saying about medical marijuana laws - Editorial June 21
• U.S. opposes legal challenge to San Francisco employer mandate - June 14
• Hospitals exchange of cost data clears antitrust hurdle - May 17
• WellPoint rate hike proposal ignites second political firestorm - May 17
• Quality reporting program loses backing of California Medical Assn. - May 10
• Claims-based database promises greater transparency - May 3
• Health reform law, Arizona Medicaid cuts at odds - April 5
• Health care cuts upheld by California court - March 29
• California health plan rescissions affected many, but few received help - March 29
• California medical board furloughs ruled legal - March 22
• What editorial writers are saying about the Anthem Blue Cross premium hike - Editorial March 8
• Anthem rate hike reignites health reform push - March 1
• Colorado IPA, FTC settle over allegations of price-fixing - March 1
• Calif. doctors sue to ensure nurse anesthetists are supervised - Feb. 22
• Calif. limits how long HMO patients wait for appointments - Feb. 8
• Idaho, Illinois allow external review of insurance denials - Jan. 25
• Physician-assisted suicide legal in Montana, court rules - Jan. 18

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A quarter of doctors exercise at least 5 days a week. Read more

The Midwest 2010

(Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)

• States spending just 2% of tobacco settlement funds on smoking prevention - Dec. 13
• Health plans wonder about their role in ACOs - Nov. 29
• "Health care freedom acts" may move beyond 3 states - Nov. 22
• What editorial writers are saying about rulings on the health reform law - Editorial Nov. 1
• Michigan Blues defends use of "most-favored-nation" clauses - Nov. 1
• 3 federal lawsuits against health system reform keep judges busy - Oct. 25
• Health insurance mandate clears legal hurdle - Oct. 18
• Elections 2010: Physicians on the ballot - Sept. 6
• Medical error disclosure not linked to more lawsuits - Aug. 23
• What editorial writers are saying about Missouri's vote against insurance mandate - Editorial Aug. 23
• Doctor creates software to help kids "think like a king" - Aug. 16
• Iowa practices get recruiting help from state medical society - Aug. 2
• Michigan med school drops commercial support for CME - July 26
• Ohio pulmonologist establishes artists' retreat - July 19
• Health reform law may trump Indiana health plan for poor - June 21
• U.S. defends health reform against lawsuits in Michigan, Virginia - June 7
• Physician Medicaid payments cut by 7% in Minnesota - May 31
• Liability damages may be limited by Ohio ruling - May 24
• What editorial writers are saying about state efforts to restrict abortion - Editorial May 24
• Abortion restrictions: States test new tactics - May 10
• Pa. court orders state to restore medical liability funds - May 3
• Illinois hospital not charitable enough to merit tax exemption - April 19
• Tough toenails? Doctor's "piggy paste" goes to market - April 19
• Tort reform: Damage cap struck down in Georgia, upheld in Missouri - April 5
• Ohio doctors get help turning inventions into products - April 5
• Health care cuts upheld by California court - March 29
• Health plan merger in Mich. abandoned after regulators object - March 22
• Infection rates drop as Michigan hospitals turn to checklists - March 1
• Fighting to protect tort reform laws - Editorial March 1
• Liability cap shot down by Illinois high court - Feb. 15
• Idaho, Illinois allow external review of insurance denials - Jan. 25
• Organized medicine pushes back on expansions of scope of practice - Jan. 18
• Kansas cuts Medicaid physician pay by 10% - Jan. 11
• Ohio court to decide what damages are reasonable - - In the Courts Jan. 4

Last year - Back to top

46 medical boards in 37 states conduct a criminal background check as a condition of licensure. Read more

The Northeast 2010

(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont)

• New Pennsylvania law requires physicians to wear photo IDs - Dec. 20
• Connecticut medical society testifies against Anthem rate hike - Nov. 29
• 91% of U.S. children are insured, survey finds - Nov. 8
• Conn. insurance rate hikes prompt outcry amid politically charged backdrop - Nov. 1
• Elections 2010: Physicians on the ballot - Sept. 6
• Delaware Blues seeks merger with deep-pocketed Highmark - Sept. 6
• Med school finds nonscience background doesn't hinder students - Aug. 23
• Pennsylvania insurance regulator to oversee health exchanges - Aug. 23
• Prescription data opt-out law upheld in Maine - Aug. 23
• Health credit cards under scrutiny by N.Y. attorney general - Aug. 23
• N.J. medical liability ruling gives patients flexibility in certification requirement - Aug. 9
• Plagiarism evidence found in residency applications - Aug. 9
• Health plans encounter resistance to higher premiums - Aug. 2
• Maine seeks reform waiver on insurer spending rule - Aug. 2
• Orthopedic surgeon keeps homes environmentally sound - Aug. 2
• Health Net settles with Connecticut over data breach - July 26
• Mass. physicians likely to see pay cuts - June 21
• No economic hardship exception in Mass. health law - May 31
• Can doctors be compelled to provide futile care? - May 17
• Pa. court orders state to restore medical liability funds - May 3
• Student health insurance faces scrutiny - April 26
• Highmark sues to block state review of Blues competition - April 5
• Legal immigrants sue when left out of Mass. health plan - March 15
• Boston hospital giving raises again; doctors took pay cut - March 1
• N.Y. pediatrician takes child's play to the mat - March 1
• N.H. high court halts state raid on liability fund - Feb. 22
• Cost increases tied to market power's impact on payment: Mass. study - Feb. 22
• Conn. doctors wary of faxes seeking patient data - Feb. 15
• Pa. Blues plan may pursue capitation - Feb. 8
• Conn. medical society sues to block United-Health Net deal - Feb. 1
• Connecticut sues Health Net over data security breach - Feb. 1
• Halting ambulance diversions didn't affect ED waits - Jan. 25
• Anthem requests rate hike in Maine - Jan. 25

Last year - Back to top

21 states require reporting of infections acquired during surgical procedures. Read more

The South 2010

(Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia)

• Texas officials seek flexibility on Medicaid coverage - Dec. 27
• What editorial writers are saying about ruling in Virginia's health reform lawsuit - Editorial Dec. 27
• Tennessee physicians to receive refunds in overpayment lawsuit - Dec. 27
• "Health care freedom acts" may move beyond 3 states - Nov. 22
• A victory for the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship - Editorial Nov. 22
• Doctor/runner uses bare foot as shoe model - Nov. 8
• Louisiana cuts Medicaid pay again as state faces budget shortfall - Nov. 1
• What editorial writers are saying about rulings on the health reform law - Editorial Nov. 1
• 3 federal lawsuits against health system reform keep judges busy - Oct. 25
• Economic credentialing policy struck down by Arkansas high court - Oct. 18
• "Speed dating" growing as patients, doctors look to strike a match - Oct. 11
• HHS call for more insured children clashes with state budget troubles - Sept. 20
• Health reform amendment thrown off Florida ballot - Sept. 13
• Katrina's legacy: Moving beyond the storm - Aug. 16
• Virginia health reform suit avoids dismissal - Aug. 9
• Medical homes for Medicaid: The North Carolina model - Aug. 2
• Tenn. firm barred from pursuing alleged overpayments - Aug. 2
• U.S. defends health reform against lawsuits in Michigan, Virginia - June 7
• Doctor's honey makes money for Tenn. hospital - May 31
• What editorial writers are saying about state efforts to restrict abortion - Editorial May 24
• Medicaid reform in Florida put on hold until next year - May 17
• Abortion restrictions: States test new tactics - May 10
• Pulitzer Prize awarded to physician for Katrina coverage - May 10
• Telemedicine coverage now mandated in Virginia - April 19
• Insurance premium hikes pit health plans against states - April 19
• H1N1 spike in Georgia raises concerns of possible third wave - April 12
• Tort reform: Damage cap struck down in Georgia, upheld in Missouri - April 5
• Skyrocketing health premiums drawing scrutiny from states - March 15
• Oklahoma physicians see Medicaid pay cut reduced - March 1
• Fla. doctor beats insurer -- in small claims court - In the Courts March 1
• "Speed dating" matches physicians, patients - Feb. 8
• Space invader: Meteorite hits Virginia doctors' office - Feb. 8
• AMA trustee tapped for Virginia health leadership - Feb. 1
• Florida's health plan for the uninsured has few takers - Feb. 1
• Organized medicine pushes back on expansions of scope of practice - Jan. 18
• Appeals court rejects effort to sell Medicare physician claims data - Jan. 11

Last year - Back to top

Large, physician-owned practices have the most doctors working part time. Read more

State Roundups 2010

(Our coverage of trends in state legislatures and regulatory bodies is also a good source of information about developments in different parts of the country.)

• Only 8,000 enroll in health plan for preexisting conditions - Dec. 27
• Texas officials seek flexibility on Medicaid coverage - Dec. 27
• States make strides in emergency health preparedness - Dec. 27
• New Pennsylvania law requires physicians to wear photo IDs - Dec. 20
• Opt-out bill could give states more flexibility on health reform - Dec. 13
• CMS proposes rule on expanding RAC program to Medicaid - Dec. 13
• States spending just 2% of tobacco settlement funds on smoking prevention - Dec. 13
• Medicare, Medicaid initiatives unveiled by new innovation center - Dec. 6
• Mining for Medicaid gold: Health plans' latest profit strategy - Dec. 6
• "Health care freedom acts" may move beyond 3 states - Nov. 22
• Medicaid vaccination rates tied to flu shot pay levels - Nov. 22
• GOP state gains expected to have broad impact on physicians - Nov. 15
• Impact of California's Medicaid physician pay cut wasn't assessed properly, state court judge says - Nov. 15
• Medicare opt-out provision triggers scope-of-practice debate - Nov. 15
• GlaxoSmithKline agrees to pay $750 million penalty for fraud - Nov. 8
• Medicare, Medicaid payment and delivery models face scrutiny by new agency - Nov. 1
• Louisiana cuts Medicaid pay again as state faces budget shortfall - Nov. 1
• California resumes Medicaid funding for health centers - Oct. 25
• What editorial writers are saying about marijuana ballot initiatives - Editorial Oct. 25
• California first to OK insurance exchange outlined under health system reform - Oct. 18
• Many physicians see Medicaid pay cut as enrollment rises - Oct. 11
• Medicaid panel to study access to care, quality - Oct. 4
• Cash-strapped states target residency programs for cuts - Oct. 4
• HHS call for more insured children clashes with state budget troubles - Sept. 20
• Health reform amendment thrown off Florida ballot - Sept. 13
• Flu vaccine should be condition of health professionals' employment, group says - Sept. 13
• States must formally request extra Medicaid funding - Sept. 6
• Medicaid EMR guidelines spell out state help for doctors - Aug. 30
• Congress OKs more Medicaid funds for states - Aug. 16
• Health plan acquisitions target small- to medium-sized companies - Aug. 9
• Medical homes for Medicaid: The North Carolina model - Aug. 2
• Health plans encounter resistance to higher premiums - Aug. 2
• Recovery audits expanding to include Medicaid - July 26
• "Meaningful use" final rule offers some flexibility - July 19
• Medicaid funding extension hitting roadblocks in Congress - July 12
• What commentators said about CMS' Dr. Berwick - Editorial July 12
• WellCare reaches tentative $137.5 million settlement in health fraud case - July 12
• Insurance premiums soaring for individual policyholders - July 5
• 1 in 9 jobs supported by hospitals, AHA says - July 5
• Health reform law may trump Indiana health plan for poor - June 21
• What editorial writers are saying about medical marijuana laws - Editorial June 21
• Senate tries to restore Medicaid to jobs bill - June 14
• What editorial writers are saying about childhood obesity - Editorial June 7
• Physician Medicaid payments cut by 7% in Minnesota - May 31
• Medicare to test allowing more than palliative care in hospice - May 24
• What editorial writers are saying about state efforts to restrict abortion - Editorial May 24
• Medicaid reform in Florida put on hold until next year - May 17
• Tobacco control: States can do more - Editorial May 17
• WellPoint rate hike proposal ignites second political firestorm - May 17
• Abortion restrictions: States test new tactics - May 10
• New Medicaid patients will lack access, most doctors say - May 3
• Medicaid pay commission to launch this summer - May 3
• Health reform seeks status quo on abortion - April 19
• Insurance premium hikes pit health plans against states - April 19
• Health reform final package ensures more funding for primary care - April 5
• Health reform faces state suits over insurance mandate - April 5
• Health reform law, Arizona Medicaid cuts at odds - April 5
• EMR meaningful use rules need to be more flexible, doctor groups say - March 22
• Skyrocketing health premiums drawing scrutiny from states - March 15
• Federal EMR money starts flowing to states - March 1
• Oklahoma physicians see Medicaid pay cut reduced - March 1
• Fighting to protect tort reform laws - Editorial March 1
• Health plans profit despite recession - Feb. 22
• Health insurance mandates face resistance from states - Feb. 15
• Medicaid costs still leaving states in deep debt - Feb. 15
• Obama targets federal deficit - Feb. 8
• Medicaid safety net: Strong enough to hold? - Feb. 1
• Tobacco, texting, trans fats all subject to new state laws - Jan. 25
• Medicaid, CHIP payments to be reviewed by new federal commission - Jan. 25
• Halting ambulance diversions didn't affect ED waits - Jan. 25
• Appeals court rejects effort to sell Medicare physician claims data - Jan. 11
• Kansas cuts Medicaid physician pay by 10% - Jan. 11

Last year - Back to top