Index 2009: Editorials and other views
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2008
Where to turn for H1N1 information
Physicians need to be armed with facts to calm patient fears and ensure proper treatment and vaccination.
- Nov. 2
What editorial writers are saying about H1N1 flu vaccine
Some health care workers have protested against a vaccine mandate. But the message elsewhere has been that adults and children should get the flu shot.
- Oct. 26
Insurer consolidation deserves a critical look
The American Medical Association supports government efforts to re-examine health insurance merger guidelines.
- Oct. 19
We've expanded the ways you can interact with us
American Medical News has beefed-up our online presence, with an entry into social media.
- Oct. 19
What editorial writers are saying about a tax on soft drinks
A beverage tax is one idea being floated to raise money for health system reform and to fight obesity.
- Oct. 12
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.
- Oct. 5
What editorial writers are saying about the Senate Finance Committee's health reform bill
The $856 billion, 10-year package would attempt to cover most Americans through individual mandates, insurance reforms and new government assistance.
- Sept. 28
Ending unequal treatment
The Commission to End Health Care Disparities is uniting physicians and others to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.
- Sept. 21
What editorial writers are saying about Kennedy's health care legacy
The long-serving senator described health system reform as "the cause of my life." Some have called on Congress to pass legislation in his memory.
- Sept. 14
Health plans still need to work on basic skills
The AMA report card shows the mixed progress insurers have shown in improving their services for physicians.
- Sept. 7
What editorial writers are saying about end-of-life discussions
The counseling provision in the House's health reform bill sparked controversy, particularly after 2008 GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin said it could create "death panels."
- Aug. 31
What editorial writers are saying about town hall meetings on health system reform
As Congress headed home to talk to constituents about reform, many got an earful from angry opponents of any government expansion into health care.
- Aug. 24
What editorial writers are saying about accomplishing health reform
Congress went on summer recess without voting on a health system reform bill, but that hasn't stopped the debate.
- Aug. 17
Medicare reform's first step: Revise physician pay formula
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed removing Part B drug costs from the Medicare physician pay formula, a move physicians have been pushing since 2002.
- Aug. 10
What editorial writers are saying about health system reform proposals
House and Senate bills offer reform solutions but have sparked contentious debate among physicians, lawmakers and others about the right path to take.
- Aug. 3
What editorial writers are saying about Wal-Mart endorsing an employer mandate
The nation's largest retailer gave its blessing to forcing employers that don't offer health insurance to pay a percentage of their payroll into a federal plan.
- July 27
Building solid medical homes
In this emerging model of health care, the AMA has focused on outlining the essential elements of providing the best care and the fairest funding.
- July 20
What editorial writers are saying about health insurance company rescissions
In congressional testimony, health plan executives explained -- and tried to defend -- a practice in which sick patients are told their care will not be covered.
- July 13
What editorial writers are saying about Obama's idea for a public health plan
One of the president's ideas on health system reform is to have a government-operated plan to compete with -- not replace -- private insurers.
- July 6
FDA oversight means public health victory on tobacco
The federal tobacco regulation law will give physicians needed help in fighting the effects of smoking.
- June 29
What editorial writers are saying about the killing of Dr. George Tiller
The Wichita, Kan., ob-gyn who performed late-term abortions was fatally shot May 31. An abortion opponent has been charged with murder.
- June 22
AMA tool kit guides informed choices on PPO contracts
The resource aims to help doctors understand what a legitimate PPO arrangement should look like -- and to understand they can say no.
- June 15
What editorial writers are saying about the Medicare trustees report
The program's hospital trust fund is expected to go broke in 2017. The rise in outpatient spending continues to outpace the expansion of the economy.
- June 8
The $2 trillion savings plan
The AMA and other essential health care stakeholders make a pledge on savings to make health system reform possible.
- June 1
What editorial writers are saying about health system reform
Organizations representing physicians, hospitals and others have pledged to work together to reduce health care spending by $2 trillion.
- May 25
Help for physicians on Medicare deadlines
CMS is making it tougher for doctors to enroll or update Medicare information. An AMA resource lets members cut through red tape.
- May 18
What editorial writers are saying about swine flu
Physicians, health departments, public schools and the media are keeping a watchful eye on the influenza A(H1N1) virus.
- May 11
8 simple rules for health system reform: A new sounding board
AMA support for President Obama's basic reform principles gives physicians the opportunity to help convert promise into policy.
- May 4
What editorial writers are saying about electronic health records
As part of the federal stimulus package, $19 billion is being devoted to expanding the use of health information technology.
- April 27
One-stop site: E-prescribing help for physicians
The AMA has created an extensive online resource.
- April 20
What editorial writers are saying about increasing tobacco taxes
Federal taxes on tobacco jumped on April 1, while numerous states -- even in tobacco-farming country -- are considering their own hikes.
- April 13
Science trumps speculation: MMR not linked to autism
A special vaccine court dismissed claims that the vaccine can cause the cognitive disorder.
- April 6
What editorial writers are saying about stem cell research
President Obama has lifted restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
- March 30
Getting physicians what they're owed: the aftermath of the Ingenix settlement
The AMA and others in organized medicine demand health plans make good on past underpayments for out-of-network care. Aetna and Cigna learned that when they were taken to court.
- March 23
What editorial writers are saying about President Obama's plan for health care reform
The president's budget proposal calls for overhauling the health care system. It would create a $634 billion reserve fund to pay for big changes during the next decade.
- March 16
A win for physician data privacy
A federal appeals court agrees that allowing raw Medicare claims data to be posted online would hurt doctors and patients.
- March 9
Commentary about the stimulus plan and health care
President Obama's stimulus package directs billions to health care, including incentives to encourage doctors to adopt health information technology.
- March 2
What editorial writers are saying about the birth of octuplets
When Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets, her case caused an ethics uproar. Fertility organizations want to look at the doctor's actions but oppose more regulation. The media had varied reactions.
- Feb. 23
AMA's enhanced Web site
The Association retooled its site to provide physicians with easier access to a wide range of professional resources.
- Feb. 16
Reprieve on ICD-10
The AMA and other organizations succeeded in winning a more reasonable deadline to implement a complex new code set.
- Feb. 9
United agreements: Fair payments ahead
UnitedHealth Group agrees to bring out-of-network rate calculations into the sunlight as well as pay back some of those physicians who were underpaid.
- Feb. 2
Taking away the fear: Another step toward improving patient safety
The final rules of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act ensure that physicians have a safe resource to discover ways to improve the way they practice.
- Jan. 26
Vital need for improving teen health care
A recent report draws attention to the urgency of addressing the challenges of providing continuing medical care to this age group.
- Jan. 19
Medicare pay overhaul can no longer wait
Without action from Congress and the White House, doctors' payments in 2010 will fall off a cliff.
- Jan. 12
Bolster primary care: Avert a physician shortage
The AMA is pursuing efforts to make primary care more rewarding and appealing to doctors.
- Jan. 5
Last year's index - Back to top
 More than a third of hospital discharge summaries contain errors or inaccuracies.
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