American Medical News http://www.amednews.com/ Medical news from the news source for America's physicians en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 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: Delegate vote refines AMA stance on system reform http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prl11123.htm Delegates rejected attempts to rescind AMA support of a U.S. House health reform bill and any new government-sponsored health insurance plan. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Liability premiums stay stable, but insurers warn this might not last http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prl21123.htm An overall dip in lawsuit frequency -- 30% or more in some places -- is the driving force behind premium moderation. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Abortion amendment threatens to derail health reform http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/gvsa1123.htm Language limiting federal funding of abortion coverage ensured initial House passage but is sparking rebellion by Democrats favoring abortion rights. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Physicians get 4th reprieve from FTC identity theft rule http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/gvsb1123.htm The postponement until June 2010 comes as lawmakers consider exempting some physician practices from the "red flags" rule. The AMA wants all doctors excluded. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Medicare paid $92 million for 2008 quality bonuses http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/gvsc1123.htm The number of doctors who received a PQRI bonus increased by a third from 2007, but the participant success rate was only about 55%. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Obese patients say some doctors disrespectful http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prsa1123.htm Physicians who specialize in treating obesity say education is key to remedying this bias. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Digital divide emerges at hospitals serving poor patients http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prsb1123.htm Slower adoption of health IT may be hurting care quality. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT AMA meeting: "Don't ask, don't tell" said to hurt patient care; repeal urged http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prsc1123.htm The House of Delegates also said a lack of marriage rights contributes to health care disparities that affect gay families. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT At what age do cancer tests offer more risk than benefit? http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prca1123.htm Geriatric Consult - A column about treating a growing demographic Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Ingenix database replacement: Seeking a FAIR solution on out-of-network pay rates http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/edsa1123.htm The new, independent database in development should lead to more payment accuracy and transparency for physicians and patients. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT AMA at a crossroad: Let basic values be our guide http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/edca1123.htm AMA Leader Commentary - A message to all physicians about current events in medical practice Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Hospitals and EMRs: Stimulating a connection http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/bisa1123.htm Changes in Stark laws allow hospitals to offer EMR-implementation subsidies to physicians. Physicians can also tap into federal stimulus money for EMRs. How will the two funding options converge? Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT H1N1: Same code for diagnosis, new one for vaccine http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/bisb1123.htm CPT codes are the same for all flu, but H1N1 has separate procedure codes. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT Tricare contracts may be re-bid after losing plans protest http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/bisc1123.htm About $40 billion in contracts to treat military members and their families might be put back into play. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT EMR school offers help for doctors wary of technology http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/bica1123.htm Technically Speaking - A practical look at information technology issues and usage Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT