Table of Contents: Jan. 12, 2009
American Medical News vol. 52 no. 2. Posted online Jan. 5, 2009.
Top stories - Government - Profession - Business - Opinion - Health - 2009 index
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Top stories
Pressure builds for further slashes to Medicare Advantage spending
Any money saved by making private rates equal to traditional Medicare rates could go toward doctor pay relief or other health reforms.
Medical centers reveal doctors' industry pay
Experts foresee a rush of other teaching institutions following suit as political pressure mounts to disclose financial ties to pharmaceutical companies and device makers.
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Government & Medicine
Florida consumer-driven Medicaid reform in limbo
Some physicians are considering dropping out of the program rather than deal with its new hassles.
Low Medicare, Medicaid pay rates impact private costs
Cost-shifting was the focus of an insurer-hospital survey.
Louisiana pediatricians sue over Medicaid managed care pilots
Fearing problems with access to care, doctors are seeking public records related to the plan to shift poor children into managed care.
Medicare picks 4 vendors in PHR pilot program
The use of personal health records could help beneficiaries better manage their own conditions as well as help physicians better treat them, CMS says.
Government news briefs:
- Abortion conscience rule takes effect Jan. 18
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Professional Issues
Defective directives? Struggling with end-of-life care
Most patients lack advance care plans, leaving doctors and families struggling to make decisions. Is there a better way? View in PDF
AHRQ funding safety research in ambulatory care
Developing tools to better track tests in the ED and reduce complications in transitions from neonatal intensive care are among the projects.
Supreme Court asked to examine Texas peer review case
A Dallas cardiologist wants the U.S. high court to decide whether federal law is being interpreted to give peer reviewers absolute immunity.
Nevada medical board seeks to update discipline, licensing systems
The goal is to make processes more timely and public, and to allow a voice at hearings for people filing complaints.
In the Courts: Doctor liable for not providing sign language interpreter
Professional Issues news briefs:
- Scope of practice dispute can proceed, Texas court rules
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Business
Knowledge on call: Finding new uses for smartphones
Physicians increasingly are discovering smartphones serve a purpose beyond being a convenient communication gadget. View in PDF
Maryland insurance commissioner seeks audit of CareFirst reserves
By the most recent estimate, the Mid-Atlantic Blues plan had nearly $1.7 billion in surplus set aside. An audit would examine whether the amount is reasonable.
Blues merger faces opposition in Pennsylvania Legislature
The state Senate's banking and insurance committee votes 10 to 4 to recommend the insurance commissioner block a merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.
Technically Speaking: Economic downturn adds new uncertainties to IT planning
Business news briefs:
- WellPoint designated to get members transferred from departing PPO
- Minnesota campaigns for safety-net payment hike
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Bolster primary care: Avert a physician shortage
The AMA is pursuing efforts to make primary care more rewarding and appealing to doctors.
Letters:
- Joint Commission's standard on disruptive behavior is unreasonable
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Health & Science
Teens' health care often a missed opportunity
A retooled health care system that includes a focus on adolescents is needed, as are coordination of primary and specialty care.
Call for widespread HIV tests has been only partially heard
Widespread screening can help curb HIV's spread and connect those already infected with lifesaving treatment, say testing advocates.
Report focuses on long-term effects of battlefield brain injuries
Traumatic brain injury has become the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet its effects are often overlooked.
MRSA-fighting drug is approved by FDA panel
The need is great for a potent, oral antibiotic drug to treat resistant infections, say physicians, who are running out of effective treatments.
Health news briefs:
- FDA top job soon to be vacant
- Secondhand smoke still a health risk for many children
- Defective antibodies from RSV vaccine
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