American Medical News http://www.amednews.com/ Medical news from the news sourse for America's physicians en-us Newspaper Medical news Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT Copyright 2009 American Medical Association American Medical News http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/images/rss.gif http://www.amednews.com/ 88 31 The news source for America's physicians AMA meeting: AMA reaffirms stance in health system reform debate http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prl10629.htm The Association keeps its options open on public plan issue amid calls from some delegates to take a stand. Profession AMA meeting: Don't shortchange specialists to fund care model http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prl20629.htm The AMA will ask CMS to help practices become patient-centered medical homes and to support models that allow non-primary care doctors to qualify. Profession Reform bills give some lawmakers sticker shock http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/gvsa0629.htm The Finance Committee delays hearings on national health system reform legislation, while House leaders unveil a Medicare pay formula replacement. Government First draft of EHR "meaningful use" definition unveiled http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/gvsb0629.htm But the national health IT chief asks for revised recommendations, which will help determine who gets stimulus dollars. Government Biologics don't need long market exclusivity, FTC says http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/gvsc0629.htm But a generic biologics pathway bill that would grant at least 12 years of protection continues to attract co-sponsors. Government Access-to-care problems are resurfacing in Mass. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/gvsd0629.htm Major reforms in 2006 shrank the uninsured population, but some initial gains in reducing care barriers and boosting affordability have eroded, according to a survey. Government Lawsuits test boundary rights of medical patents http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsa0629.htm The cases come at a time of renewed interest by the U.S. Supreme Court in patent law and could have ramifications for medical research. Profession AMA meeting: Doctors get to see how ethics bar is set http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsb0629.htm An AMA-sponsored fellowship adds to its online curriculum the study of how ethics policy is made at the Annual Meeting. Profession Some licensing questions at odds with the ADA http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsc0629.htm Authors of a recent study would like inquiries on state medical board applications reworded to focus on a physician's ability to practice. Profession AMA meeting: Doctors object to penalties for avoiding EHRs http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsd0629.htm Delegates call for eliminating Medicare penalties for failing to show "meaningful use" of electronic records by 2015. But some fear incentives could also go. Profession AMA meeting: More to do on tobacco control http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prse0629.htm The Association seeks a ban on smoking on the campuses of federal buildings and wants to study the role of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation. Profession AMA meeting: U.S. needs national HIV/AIDS strategy http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsf0629.htm Countries receiving U.S. funding for AIDS relief are required to have a strategic plan -- but America has no plan. Profession AMA meeting: Vitamin D checks urged http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsg0629.htm Studies associate low levels with increased risk of disease, but more extensive research is needed before testing and supplementation become routine. Profession AMA meeting: Comprehensive sex ed said to have most impact http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsh0629.htm A report says abstinence should be one part -- but not the only one -- of teaching kids about sexual activity. Profession AMA meeting: AMA looks for ways to trim rising student debt http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsi0629.htm The Association will work to increase medical school funding, reduce tuition costs and ease students' loan repayment obligations. Profession AMA meeting: Physician supervision of nurses sought in all practice agreements http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsj0629.htm AMA delegates also debated the National Board of Medical Examiners' role in a new doctor of nursing practice certification exam. Profession AMA meeting: Delegates renew efforts for antitrust relief http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsk0629.htm The AMA house says changes are needed to help physicians collaborate on quality and cost-improvement initiatives that will be key to health system reform. Profession AMA meeting: AMA urges Web system for prior authorizations http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsl0629.htm Delegates agree that online systems would help practices meet insurer requirements. Profession AMA meeting: AMA exhorts doctors to offer charity care, help the uninsured http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsm0629.htm Physicians also should become involved in the political process and help cut financial obstacles to care, says new ethics policy. Profession AMA meeting: Delegates see boosting quality of care as duty http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/prsn0629.htm A new AMA ethics policy lays out steps physicians should take to make sure patients get the correct treatments. Profession Twitter: What's the use? http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/bisa0629.htm Early physician adopters say the social media site can help you promote your practice and communicate with colleagues. Business Minn. health plan consortium develops online claims portal http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/bisb0629.htm A Web-based service will help physicians comply with a July 15 deadline to submit claims electronically. Business Final health plan reaches settlement over Ingenix database http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/29/bisc0629.htm Health Net agrees to use, and help pay for, a new database. Business