TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dec. 20, 2010

American Medical News  Print edition cover date Dec. 27, 2010, vol. 53 no. 24.

Top stories - Government - Profession - Opinion - Business - 2010 index

Top stories

Permanent SGR fix becomes focus after passage of Medicare pay patch
Organized medicine hails the one-year reprieve approved by Congress and signed by President Obama. Now sights are set on 2011 for a new payment model.

Congress exempts doctors from "red flags" rule
The legislation keeps physicians from having to comply with ID theft regulation, but some aren't sure if the issue is resolved with the FTC.

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Government & Medicine

Revise unfair e-prescription policy, doctors say
A rule set for Jan. 1, 2011, unjustly bases 2012 penalties on physicians' electronic prescribing in 2011, the AMA and others in organized medicine contend.

New children's nutrition law to improve cafeteria meals
The measure, approved by the House this month, makes meals healthier and restricts the sale of junk food in school vending machines.

News briefs:

• Va. judge finds health insurance mandates unconstitutional
• Americans' opinion of health reform linked to type of health plan
• Health premiums leap 41% from 2003
• Minn. governor's race settled
• Bills question health reform

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Professional Issues

Reaching through the fog: A rising tide of Alzheimer's disease
Primary care physicians will help treat a growing number of Alzheimer's patients as the nation's elderly population surges. But younger patients also are susceptible.

New Pennsylvania law requires physicians to wear photo IDs
States are working to guarantee that patients know whom they are seeing and are not deceived by health professionals who misrepresent their training.

Ethics Forum: Following up on patients referred for specialist care

News briefs:

• Majority of Americans trust physicians
• Radiation overdose is top health tech hazard
• Increased risk of death associated with being obese

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Social media use should mirror face-to-face patient dealings
A new AMA policy spells out how physicians can participate online without stepping over legal and ethical lines.

AMA Leader Commentary: AMA entering an era of transition and transformation

Letters:

• Medical students shun primary care for more reasons than pay

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Business

Geolocation services: Have your patients put you on the map?
Mobile applications let people "check in" anywhere to let others know where they are -- including your practice. But applications also let people talk about you.

AMA's contracting law database now includes federal laws
The National Managed Care Contract's data bank also contains state laws and Association policy and issue briefs.

Hospitals integrating their medical devices and EMRs
Officials believe the link saves staff members time by getting rid of manual documentation.

Health care adds 19,000 jobs in November
Although the number of hospital positions increases, physician offices lose 500 staff members.

Practice Management: How to save money by trimming waste disposal costs

News briefs:

• Online rating site expands doctor list
• American Well and IBM expand partnership

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