Table of Contents: July 6, 2009

American Medical News vol. 52 no. 17. Posted online June 29, 2009.

"My financial calculations say it's cheaper for me to take the penalty than to put the system in, and that's what I'm going to do," says David McKalip, MD, about potential Medicare penalties for failure to show "meaningful use" of electronic health records.

THIS WEEK

Annual Meeting coverage
Health system reform was the main focus of the 2009 AMA Annual Meeting, including an address given by President Obama to the AMA House of Delegates on June 15. EHR adoption, medical homes, antitrust relief and scope of practice were among other issues discussed. See our special HOD section.
Professional Issues
Twitter: What's the use?
Early adopters say the social media site can help you promote your practice and communicate with colleagues.
Business
Sticker shock over reform bills
Lawmakers receive higher-than-expected cost estimates and begin hearings to amend legislation.
Government & Medicine

Government & Medicine

Reform bills give some lawmakers sticker shock
The Finance Committee delays hearings on national health system reform legislation, while House leaders unveil a Medicare pay formula replacement.

First draft of EHR "meaningful use" definition unveiled
But the national health IT chief asks for revised recommendations, which will help determine who gets stimulus dollars.

Biologics don't need long market exclusivity, FTC says
But a generic biologics pathway bill that would grant at least 12 years of protection continues to attract co-sponsors.

Access-to-care problems are resurfacing in Mass.
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 news briefs:

CBO finds coalition savings proposals difficult to verify
Most support public plan, trust physicians' opinions on health reform
Legislation seeks to improve cancer treatment options

Professional Issues

Lawsuits test boundary rights of medical patents
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.

AMA meeting: Doctors get to see how ethics bar is set
An AMA-sponsored fellowship adds to its online curriculum the study of how ethics policy is made at the Annual Meeting.

Some licensing questions at odds with the ADA
Authors of a recent study would like inquiries on state medical board applications reworded to focus on a physician's ability to practice.

AMA meeting: Doctors object to penalties for avoiding EHRs
Delegates call for eliminating Medicare penalties for failing to show "meaningful use" of electronic records by 2015. But some fear incentives could also go.

AMA meeting: More to do on tobacco control
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.

AMA meeting: U.S. needs national HIV/AIDS strategy
Countries receiving U.S. funding for AIDS relief are required to have a strategic plan -- but America has no plan.

AMA meeting: Vitamin D checks urged
Studies associate low levels with increased risk of disease, but more extensive research is needed before testing and supplementation become routine. View in PDF

AMA meeting: Comprehensive sex ed said to have most impact
A report says abstinence should be one part -- but not the only one -- of teaching kids about sexual activity.

AMA meeting: AMA looks for ways to trim rising student debt
The Association will work to increase medical school funding, reduce tuition costs and ease students' loan repayment obligations.

AMA meeting: Physician supervision of nurses sought in all practice agreements
AMA delegates also debated the National Board of Medical Examiners' role in a new doctor of nursing practice certification exam.

AMA meeting: Delegates renew efforts for antitrust relief
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.

AMA meeting: AMA urges Web system for prior authorizations
Delegates agree that online systems would help practices meet insurer requirements.

AMA meeting: AMA exhorts doctors to offer charity care, help the uninsured
Physicians also should become involved in the political process and help cut financial obstacles to care, says new ethics policy.

AMA meeting: Delegates see boosting quality of care as duty
A new AMA ethics policy lays out steps physicians should take to make sure patients get the correct treatments.

Professional Issues news briefs:

Improving health literacy helps diminish disparities
Elderly patients awaiting kidneys often die before transplant
New pediatric bioethics center launched

Opinion

FDA oversight means public health victory on tobacco
The federal tobacco regulation law will give physicians needed help in fighting the effects of smoking.

AMA Leader Commentary: AMA connects with doctors at each stage of their careers

Business

Twitter: What's the use?
Early physician adopters say the social media site can help you promote your practice and communicate with colleagues.

Minn. health plan consortium develops online claims portal
A Web-based service will help physicians comply with a July 15 deadline to submit claims electronically.

Final health plan reaches settlement over Ingenix database
Health Net agrees to use, and help pay for, a new database.

Practice Management: Overwhelmed by phone calls? Adding lines, staff not the answer

Quick View: Ways patients are cutting health care costs

Contract Language: Law means rethinking how you protect patient data

Business news briefs: