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Index 2006: News in brief

Government - Profession - Business - Health - 2005 - 2007

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Government & Medicine briefs 2006

Health plans must reveal Medicaid pay rates, Conn. court says - Dec. 25
FDA chief confirmed - Dec. 25
Most uninsured not rich enough or poor enough to get coverage - Dec. 25
Lawyers sue over Ill. liability cap - Dec. 18
Dr. Frist nixes White House bid - Dec. 18
Medicare pays HMOs better than traditional plans - Dec. 18
Mont. hospital drops suit against physician-owned facility - Dec. 11
Mass. residents support universal care law, poll finds - Dec. 11
AMA: Cigarettes should be fire-safe - Dec. 4
AMA health system reform plan updated - Dec. 4
AMA to push government to change Medicaid citizenship rule for newborns - Dec. 4
Promoting Medicare preventive care - Dec. 4
AMA to shore up emergency system - Dec. 4
Insurer group's plan would cover most uninsured Americans - Dec. 4
Texas doctor wins and loses in congressional bid - Nov. 27
Study finds little difference in adverse outcomes between care settings - Nov. 20
Jury finds against Amerigroup in Illinois patient discrimination case - Nov. 20
Utah helps pay for health insurance - Nov. 20
Pennsylvania expands SCHIP access - Nov. 20
N.Y. offers high-deductible plan - Nov. 20
Contractors tracking Medicare payments doing fine, audit says - Nov. 20
Study: Americans increasingly concerned about health care costs - Nov. 13
Medicare error rate drops - Nov. 6
Former FDA chief pleads guilty - Nov. 6
Family physicians to rate insurance companies - Nov. 6
Medicare acting chief takes reins - Oct. 23/30
Ind. court rules against search of minors' patient files - Oct. 23/30
Pediatric group settles whistle-blower lawsuit - Oct. 16
Most uninsured kids have working parents - Oct. 16
Drug price increases slow down in second quarter - Oct. 9
Calif. universal health bill vetoed - Oct. 9
Bill would close SCHIP funding hole - Oct. 9
Judge throws out challenge to Medicaid proof-of-citizenship rule - Oct. 9
Federal advisory group calls for coverage for all by 2012 - Oct. 9
HSA users satisfied, GAO finds - Oct. 2
Compounded drugs don't need FDA approval, federal court rules - Oct. 2
Public health contractors' security breaches - Sept. 25
Perspectives on Medicare Part D - Sept. 25
Medicare coverage of cancer drugs - Sept. 25
Cancer drug case settled - Sept. 25
Letter tells beneficiaries how to handle accidental Medicare premium checks - Sept. 18
Medicare chief to leave post - Sept. 18
Cleveland hospital system settles whistle-blower lawsuit - Sept. 11
Medicare wants back millions in accidental Part D payments - Sept. 11
Mo. physician group loses antitrust case against hospital - Sept. 4
Medicare proposes new ambulatory surgery center rates - Aug. 28
Senators aim to postpone imaging cuts - Aug. 28
Drugmaker settles pricing suit - Aug. 28
Blues' pay policy upheld by Calif. court - Aug. 21
Medtronic settles kickback allegations - Aug. 14
Uninsured rates higher for Hispanics, blacks - Aug. 14
Federal government offers state grants to improve Medicaid - Aug. 14
Plans fined under N.Y. prompt-pay law - Aug. 7
Part D plans' call centers get mixed reviews from GAO - July 24/31
Bill would put a moratorium on Medicare imaging cuts - July 17
High court takes on another "partial-birth" abortion case - July 17
Uninsured figures show improvement - July 10
S.D. abortion ban to go to voters - July 10
AMA adopts measure to boost doctors' bargaining power with health plans - July 3
AMA takes action on physician visas - July 3
Doctors shouldn't be held at fault for bad advice from Medicare carriers - July 3
AMA to work with scope partnership to oppose naturopaths' med licensure - July 3
Md. physicians call for investigation to see if insurers have pricing monopoly - June 26
Medicare drug enrollment surges - June 26
Medicare managed care payments - June 26
Medicare Part B Rx program deadline extended - June 19
Medicare drug caps lead to more hospitalizations - June 19
Kansas appeals ruling on teen sex reporting - June 12
House rejects Medicare cuts - June 12
CMS tightens drug plan marketing rules - June 12
Canadians healthier than U.S. counterparts, study finds - June 12
Health plan bill stymied in Senate - June 5
Medical equipment supplier settles charges of physician kickbacks - June 5
Nevada launches drug reimportation Web site - June 5
Iowa Legislature passes "I'm sorry" bill - May 22/29
Medicare will go bankrupt sooner than previously thought, trustees say - May 15
Doctor sentenced in case that sparked concern about government searches - May 15
Health IT chief to step down - May 8
Fund infusion for SCHIP - May 8
Missouri Senate acts on medical records measure - May 8
Fla. high court upholds law requiring doctors to give abortion-risk info - May 1
Poll shows wide support for Mass. health reforms; governor signs bill - May 1
Medicare Rx fraud program questioned - May 1
Mo. Senate passes bill requiring state OK of liability premium hikes - April 24
CMS issues final Medicare rule on power wheelchairs - April 17
Transitional coverage expires for Medicare drugs - April 17
Bill would stop new citizenship documentation rule for Medicaid from going into effect - April 17
Okla. House and Senate pass reimportation bills - April 17
Medicare rate freeze law challenged - April 10
Vermont Senate approves "I'm sorry" legislation - April 10
Millions more sign up for Medicare drugs - April 10
Group settles with N.J. pathologist - April 3
Wisconsin passes medical error tracking bill - March 27
Employees resigned, fired over patient records theft in Oregon - March 27
Liability reform package becomes law in Washington state - March 20
Lawmakers try to reopen drug benefit - March 20
Physician groups blast Medicare imaging cuts - March 20
High court to hear late-term abortion case - March 13
Medicare Part D enrollment rises - March 13
Ga. court rules venue provision in tort reform law unconstitutional - March 6
Slowdown in spending on physician services predicted - March 6
Suit filed against "Wal-Mart" law - Feb. 27
Former FDA chief moves to lobbying firm - Feb. 27
Drug-pricing lawsuit gets class-action status - Feb. 27
Medicare drug benefit costs drop - Feb. 20
Medicare requires insurers to extend emergency drug supply - Feb. 20
Kansas court throws out lawsuit on publicly funded abortions - Feb. 20
Arizona doctors drop plans for tort reform ballot initiative for now - Feb. 20
Maryland governor offers tort reform plan - Feb. 13
Kansas Senate passes package aimed at Medicaid fraud - Feb. 13
States delve into tort reform issues - Feb. 6
Maryland Legislature overturns veto of "Wal-Mart" health insurance bill - Feb. 6
Medicaid, SCHIP eligibility cuts would hurt emergency departments - Feb. 6
HHS awards e-prescribing grants - Feb. 6
Bush calls for HSA improvements, association health plans - Feb. 6
Medicare mandates drug backup plan - Jan. 30
New Mich. whistle-blower law targets Medicaid fraud - Jan. 30
R.I. overrides medical marijuana veto - Jan. 30
Doctors still seeing Medicare patients - Jan. 23
AstraZeneca to continue prescription drug assistance - Jan. 23
Eli Lilly settles claims it wrongly marketed off-label uses for Evista - Jan. 23
Bill aims to limit lawsuits against flu vaccine makers - Jan. 23
Mental health parity law renewed - Jan. 16
Ariz. sues over drug prices - Jan. 2/9
Medicare drug enrollment problems - Jan. 2/9

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

28 people died in medical helicopter crashes during the first 10 months of 2008. Read more

Professional Issues briefs 2006

Visa waiver program extension almost complete - Dec. 25
Reports assess liability situation - Dec. 25
Medical center, health alliance win national quality awards - Dec. 25
Payment lawsuit can go forward - Dec. 25
Mich. doctors can sue over payment - Dec. 18
Ohio is latest state to take tough stance on physician sex offenses - Dec. 18
Push to get patients angioplasty more quickly - Dec. 11
Profiling guide available for Florida physicians - Dec. 11
Conn. trial lawyers ask state to investigate liability insurance rates - Dec. 4
Denver immunization program lauded - Dec. 4
Board certification pursued less often - Dec. 4
HHS secretary says: Let's all get connected - Dec. 4
AMA to lead on work force diversity - Dec. 4
AMA finances in black again - Dec. 4
AMA says quality group lacks transparency - Dec. 4
AMA monitors evolving physician disaster-response systems - Dec. 4
Medical students get head start on practice - Dec. 4
No smoking ban, no AMA meetings - Dec. 4
N.J. doctors and Horizon reach settlement in reimbursement lawsuit - Nov. 27
Canada sees increasing number of physicians return home - Nov. 27
New members for Calif. medical board - Nov. 27
CMA has new leadership - Nov. 20
Campaign targeting patients aims to cut surgical errors - Nov. 20
Pa. extends liability insurance assistance to doctors - Nov. 20
Physician educator wins ACGME award - Nov. 20
N.J. preventable error report documents 400 serious errors - Nov. 13
New subspecialty certification: Hospice and palliative medicine - Nov. 13
Textbook aims to equip students for internal medicine clerkship - Nov. 13
Sports come before emergency care - Nov. 6
Age-related driving tutorial available for doctors, office staff - Nov. 6
Fla. verdict could be biggest medical liability award the state has seen - Nov. 6
New Calif. law stops big payouts for egg donors, adds protections - Nov. 6
Study: No link between work-hour limits and improved surgical care - Nov. 6
Joint Commission looks to revise governance standards - Oct. 23/30
Diagnostic errors big part of medical liability claims - Oct. 23/30
Arizona board addressing office-based surgery - Oct. 23/30
Texas doctors to see more insurance premium decreases - Oct. 23/30
ACGME names new board of directors - Oct. 23/30
Judge lowers award dollars in peer review case, lets findings stand - Oct. 16
Exhibit examines pain and treatment - Oct. 16
Study: Let there be light in hospitals - Oct. 16
Doctors don't always give enough information about new prescriptions - Oct. 16
Family physicians pick new leaders - Oct. 16
Bill to ban assisted suicide on hold - Oct. 9
Utah forecasts recruiting shortage of 84 doctors annually - Oct. 9
Texas doctors have new rules for minors seeking an abortion - Oct. 9
New med school goes ahead in Ariz. - Oct. 9
Slight increase in CME spending forecast for 2007 - Oct. 2
Medical corps reaches 50 states - Oct. 2
Groups tackle hand-washing compliance rates - Oct. 2
10 medical students win AMA Foundation scholarships - Sept. 25
Ore. institution expands publicly released quality data - Sept. 25
FDA closes N.C. tissue bank - Sept. 25
Washington state passes rules to boost patient safety - Sept. 25
Age not a major factor for doing surgery, study finds - Sept. 25
Minn. court: Patients can't sue on claim of credentialing negligence - Sept. 18
Study: Better data collection would help ease disparities - Sept. 18
Fla. doctors say pharmacists shouldn't be able to change Rx - Sept. 18
Patient survey, other measures coming to Hospital Compare - Sept. 11
Group evaluating IMGs celebrates 50th anniversary - Sept. 11
Report says state health Web sites need improvement - Sept. 11
Emergency care system at risk of work force woes - Sept. 4
Radiologist is NMA's new leader - Sept. 4
N.Y. doctors sue health plan - Sept. 4
Companies ask court to decide whether N.H. prescribing law is legal - Aug. 28
Museum observes anniversary of President Garfield's death - Aug. 28
Lack of insurance doesn't translate to higher ED use - Aug. 28
Free CME for California's physicians - Aug. 28
N.H. board drops case against family physician - Aug. 21
Michigan court upholds state expert witness rules - Aug. 21
September earliest date to convene grand jury in Katrina murder case - Aug. 21
UnitedHealth gives $10 million for California medical school feasibility study - Aug. 21
Assisted-suicide bills fail in Vermont, California - Aug. 14
Wash. begins data bank checks of health practitioners - Aug. 14
AAMC honors American Indian health advocate - Aug. 14
Osteopathic physicians elect new leaders - Aug. 7
New Hampshire limits prescribing data use - Aug. 7
Fla. physicians get new requirements - July 24/31
WellPoint gives $200,000 to support minority medical students - July 24/31
CMA executive to head American College of Cardiology - July 17
CMS gives safe harbor to CME - July 17
N.Y. case with questioned expert witness testimony can go forward - July 17
AMA in the black; no '07 dues increase - July 10
AMA eyes how conflict-of-interest rules impact CME - July 10
AMA supports integration of cultural competence in medical education - July 10
Delegates ask AMA to study trademarks, RFID chips - July 10
AMA house seats professional interest medical associations - July 10
AMA works to prevent doctor suicide - July 3
Tdap shots encouraged for health care workers - July 3
Doctors tackle ethical issues at CEJA open forum - July 3
AMA selects new leadership - July 3
Antitrust lawsuit against the Match loses traction - June 26
D.C. doctors seek liability reforms - June 26
Arizona board to consider Internet prescribing policy - June 26
Va. takes script-tracking program statewide - June 26
N.C. medical board to address physician role in executions - June 19
One hospital room, one patient is new rule of thumb - June 19
Medical mentor award winners named - June 19
Family board has new leadership - June 19
Pa. medical liability case filings fall - June 12
N.C. board to address physician role in executions - June 12
Arizona physician says county violated his freedom of speech - June 12
Trauma group founder honored - June 12
Survey: Most diabetics miss out on critical tests - June 12
N.H. governor to sign bill curbing use of prescriber data - June 5
Doctors can test patient safety habits - June 5
Physicians top most-trusted list - June 5
Pa. hospital bans industry gifts - June 5
Maryland law will require hospitals to report infections - May 22/29
Emergency department directors see specialist shortages - May 22/29
Doctor, nurse take part in N.C. execution - May 22/29
N.H. high court throws out wrongful birth verdict - May 22/29
N.Y. sees decline in ob-gyn supply - May 22/29
Firm must pay doctors over medical liability insurance arrangement - May 15
Federation picks new board members - May 15
Some minorities more likely to be unhappy with kids' special needs care - May 8
Poll: Americans support tort reform - May 8
Court says Calif. stem cell agency is legal; group awards grants - May 8
MCAT takers face electronic fingerprint check - May 8
Most wrong-site surgeries could be prevented, study finds - May 8
Oklahoma group marks 100 years - May 1
Katrina creates new residency payment rule - May 1
AMA applauds House passage of higher education bill - April 24
Michigan commission proposes voluntary error-reporting system - April 24
JCAHO issues alert on fake surveyors - April 24
Tennessee lawmakers consider reinstating noncompete clauses - April 24
Fla. high court ruling could impact doctors going bare - April 17
AMA Foundation selects recipients - April 17
Medical students' cardiac exam skills equal to faculty physicians - April 17
Va. doctor appeals pain prescribing verdict - April 17
Dr. Hwang Woo-Suk no longer "supreme" - April 17
Visa waiver program set to run out - April 10
100,000 Lives campaign more than halfway to its goal - April 10
California medical board warns against identity theft - April 10
Georgia family can't seek punitive damages against tobacco company - April 10
Psychiatrists to fund medical student activities - April 10
Doctors want the option to apologize to patients, study shows - April 3
Medical residents to get CME credit - April 3
57% of Californians support an assisted-suicide bill - April 3
Two renowned scientists get postage stamps - April 3
California Medical Assn. celebrates 150 years - April 3
New tool kit can help physicians improve patient safety - March 27
New Jersey cardiologists reach deal with insurer on overpayments - March 27
Michigan doctors predict statewide physician shortage - March 27
Tenn. doctor ends romance reality show - March 27
National Quality Forum names new CEO - March 27
New Orleans pathologist to receive patient care award - March 27
Medical board has new leaders - March 27
Clinical quality data for some Mass. physician groups now public - March 20
Utah physicians being sued after reporting parents to child services - March 20
N.C. aims to put more physicians into shortage areas - March 20
Hospitalists launch journal, set training standards - March 13
Drugmaker prevails in Vioxx lawsuit - March 13
Think tank to tackle conflicts of interest at medical schools - March 13
British Medical Assn. calls for doctors to wash hands, abandon neckties - March 13
Ark. surgeons keep privileges while economic credentialing case proceeds - March 6
New Orleans' emergency care making a comeback - March 6
Awards honor physicians' efforts - March 6
Two medical schools receive big gifts - March 6
AMA receives award for CME contributions - March 6
ABIM to link board-certification data to pay-for-performance program - Feb. 27
Group calls for resignation of Calif. stem cell agency head - Feb. 27
AMA earns award for national advertising campaign - Feb. 27
Medical association awarded grant to study language access - Feb. 20
Details of whistle-blower lawsuit against Medtronic made public - Feb. 20
Doctor who helped set resident duty-hour standards wins award - Feb. 20
Prominent physicians call for an end to all drug company gifts - Feb. 13
JCAHO seeks to improve drug safety - Feb. 13
Company discussed telling physicians about defibrillator problem earlier - Feb. 13
Miss. court rules that some medical liability reforms are constitutional - Feb. 6
Neurologists update expert witness guidelines - Feb. 6
Grant awarded to develop communication training for physicians - Feb. 6
N.Y. overall physician supply on rise - Feb. 6
Small patient sample can show how a physician interacts with patients - Feb. 6
New leader for osteopathic schools - Feb. 6
Study: More buzz than action on pay-for-performance programs - Jan. 30
Group revises quality standards - Jan. 30
Illinois court dismisses $10.1 billion verdict against cigarette company - Jan. 23
More questions surrounding South Korean researcher's work - Jan. 23
Match offers more specialty options - Jan. 23
Harvard Medical School releases curriculum for MP3 players - Jan. 23
Physician receives CMA Foundation's Ethnic Physician Leadership Award - Jan. 23
Pharmacists say it's OK to refuse Plan B scripts - Jan. 16
Calif. suit on funding for stem cell research headed to court - Jan. 16
Center studies vaccine ethical issues - Jan. 16
Fla. board honors pediatric neurosurgeon - Jan. 16
Doctors allowed to use religious beliefs as defense - Jan. 2/9
Mistrial in first federal Vioxx case - Jan. 2/9
Wisconsin considers suing FDA over Plan B decision - Jan. 2/9
ACGME honors leaders in graduate medical education - Jan. 2/9

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

Each family physician has a $700,000 to $1.5 million impact on his or her local economy. Read more

Business briefs 2006

Pediatrix reports stock backdating - Dec. 25
Two surveys, two conclusions on EMR - Dec. 25
Practice management companies merge - Dec. 25
CCHIT expands certification - Dec. 18
Wal-Mart completes generics rollout - Dec. 18
Collection class-action suit gets green light - Dec. 18
Chains expand low-priced generics - Dec. 11
CEO leaves embattled hospital group - Dec. 11
Cigna premiers new payment program - Dec. 11
HCA buyout approved - Dec. 4
Aetna introduces PHR - Dec. 4
Delegates act on HIPAA - Dec. 4
HealthSouth's loss widens - Nov. 27
McKesson acquires rival - Nov. 27
Tenet to sell Alvarado hospital to physicians - Nov. 20
Insurers cut jobs - Nov. 20
WebMD makes acquisition - Nov. 20
HealthSouth returns to NYSE - Nov. 13
More EMR products gain seal of approval - Nov. 13
Hospital's laptop stolen; 28,000 patients affected - Nov. 13
Misys launches grant program - Nov. 6
Minnesota Blues reimburses for online consultations - Nov. 6
Geisinger looks to personalized medicine - Nov. 6
Tenet sells 4 hospitals - Oct. 23/30
Providence Health System and Oregon settle privacy breach investigation - Oct. 23/30
Great Britain replaces IT vendor - Oct. 23/30
MinuteClinic obtains accreditation - Oct. 16
New EMR standards proposed - Oct. 16
Tenet enters into integrity agreement - Oct. 16
LifePoint to sell recently acquired facilities - Oct. 16
UnitedHealth takes HCA to court - Oct. 9
Target severs ties with MinuteClinic - Oct. 9
Zix stock faces delisting - Oct. 9
Physician consultants merge - Oct. 9
Thomson acquires Solucient LLC - Oct. 9
New group to study emerging tech - Oct. 2
Aetna expands e-prescribing - Oct. 2
Ex-HealthSouth exec sentenced - Oct. 2
Bank of America buys HealthLogic - Oct. 2
WellPoint reorganizes - Oct. 2
Industry groups offer guidance on personal health records - Sept. 25
Aetna, RediClinic strike reimbursement deal - Sept. 25
Aetna expands physician price lists - Sept. 18
Discounted EMR offered to hospitals - Sept. 18
Company acquires Ohio hospitals - Sept. 18
Radiation therapy chain bought - Sept. 11
HCA computers stolen - Sept. 11
Health software company files IPO - Sept. 11
Oregon IPA to resell EMR to members - Sept. 11
UnitedHealth consolidates Medicare plans - Sept. 11
Vanguard to sell California hospitals - Sept. 4
WellPoint adds 68,000 Medicaid members - Sept. 4
Fallon offers nonsmoker incentive - Sept. 4
HCA hospital to discontinue inpatient care - Sept. 4
HMA shedding five hospitals - Aug. 28
Insurer expands custom-benefit program to smaller employers - Aug. 28
HealthSouth no longer operating overseas - Aug. 28
Roster of certified EMRs expands - Aug. 21
Cerner lands contract for British health network - Aug. 21
More personal health records - Aug. 14
Automakers extend prescribing pilot - Aug. 14
Tufts drops consumer-directed plan - Aug. 14
Privacy breach shuts down tech project - Aug. 14
Cigna expands HRA business - Aug. 14
Ex-HealthSouth CFO must pay $6.9 million - Aug. 14
Mass. insurer teams with United - Aug. 7
MGMA weighs in on transparency - Aug. 7
WebMD acquires Medsite - Aug. 7
EMR companies merge - Aug. 7
United expands recognition program - July 24/31
Panel to work on ID theft protection - July 24/31
Cigna buys small health plan - July 17
LSU, VA plan mega medical complex - July 10
PatientKeeper lands venture money - July 10
MedLink, Anywhere MD strike deal - July 10
AMA to develop model legislation covering health plan mergers - July 3
AMA advocates for help with EMRs - July 3
McKesson acquires RelayHealth - July 3
Former HealthSouth exec sentenced - July 3
Insurer reports consumer-driven growth - July 3
Humana responds to ID breaches - June 26
HCA to sell only 4 hospitals to LifePoint - June 26
IRS surveys nonprofit hospitals - June 26
Survey: Health cost increases slow - June 19
Study reveals gap between hospital tax breaks and charity care - June 19
Philadelphia practices report 4% staff pay increase - June 19
Research projects heart-valve market growth - June 12
Mass. Blues pay-for-performance program grows - June 5
No fraud prosecution for HealthSouth - June 5
Baylor heart hospital investigated - June 5
Study: More say "no" to managed care - May 22/29
New ambulatory surgery center company formed - May 22/29
Aetna reports privacy breach - May 15
Wal-Mart extends benefits to more workers - May 8
WebMD acquires wellness company - May 8
Tenet moves out of Mississippi - May 8
AMA Insurance selects Cigna for Part D - May 1
Aetna merges clinical programs - May 1
Study: Baby boomers not driving hospital growth - May 1
Computer Sciences shops for buyer - May 1
N.J. Blues plan offers PHRs - May 1
United: No large mergers planned - April 24
Mistrial declared again in Tenet kickback case - April 24
MGMA notes "successful" group traits - April 17
Blues plan expands e-consultations - April 17
Hospital gives patients personal health record software - April 17
Report: Merger values jump - April 17
HealthSouth loss swells - April 17
HealthSouth delays annual report - April 10
Automaker bases premiums on pay - April 10
RHIOs standards contract awarded - April 10
Academic practice pay flat - April 10
Pa. hospital finances improve - April 3
MinuteClinic, Aetna sign contract - March 27
BlackBerries won't go dark - March 27
Aetna buys disability company - March 20
Tenet's losses fall - March 20
MedCath names new CEO - March 20
Tenet settles Florida suit - March 13
Privacy breaches at Blues plans in Florida, North Carolina - March 13
Aetna joins quality pay program - March 6
HMA pulls out of Ga. hospital deal - March 6
Hospital chain recruits physicians - Feb. 27
McKesson pitches to smaller hospitals - Feb. 27
GM revises retiree health plan - Feb. 27
Boston-area systems split - Feb. 27
Speech software company makes deal - Feb. 27
EMR company changes name - Feb. 27
Thief takes hospital system records - Feb. 20
Claims clearinghouses combine - Feb. 20
Healthline raises $14 million - Feb. 20
Surgery center companies merge - Feb. 20
Judge overturns hospital bans - Feb. 13
AMGA data warehouse progresses - Feb. 13
Surgery center company grows - Feb. 13
Tenet to restate earnings - Feb. 6
Lowe's starts health centers - Feb. 6
Allscripts acquires A4 Health Systems - Feb. 6
WebMD purchases eMedicine - Feb. 6
Mergers and acquisitions for 2005 were highest in five years - Jan. 30
AAFP sets list of desired attributes for retail health clinics - Jan. 30
Tenet settles shareholder suit - Jan. 30
N.C. Blues offers e-prescribing - Jan. 30
Pediatric drugs expected to see healthy sales growth - Jan. 30
Auto workers ratify insurance deal - Jan. 23
ACP issues guidelines for pay-for-performance programs - Jan. 16
HealthSouth responds to Scrushy - Jan. 16
Doctor-owned hospital under way - Jan. 16
Scrushy sues HealthSouth - Jan. 2/9

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

Pennsylvania doctors have received state help with medical liability premiums since 2002. Read more

Health & Science briefs 2006

Novel cholesterol drug trial halted - Dec. 25
Tobacco money not funding prevention - Dec. 25
Seniors' health improving - Dec. 25
AMA issues medical encyclopedia - Dec. 25
Cell phones not tied to cancer - Dec. 18
Certain magnets can interfere with pacemakers and ICDs - Dec. 18
Seniors have greater risk from bariatric surgery - Dec. 18
Spleen cells may contribute to beta-cell regeneration in diabetics - Dec. 18
Flu drug linked to delirium, self-injury in children - Dec. 11
Antibiotics not recommended for acute bronchitis - Dec. 11
FDA OKs silicone breast implants - Dec. 11
Gene sequencing centers funded - Dec. 11
Falls become a leading killer of seniors - Dec. 11
Delegates act on mercury pollution - Dec. 4
AMA seeks better access to HIV testing - Dec. 4
AMA to develop suicide resource Web page - Dec. 4
Federal law needed to block porn in libraries, AMA says - Dec. 4
Delegates call on insurers to cover HPV vaccine - Dec. 4
Just when you thought it was safe to eat the salad - Nov. 27
Support important for young cancer survivors - Nov. 27
Viruses may complicate ear infection treatment - Nov. 27
SARS, avian flu expert named to lead WHO - Nov. 27
HPV test better screening tool for cervical cancer in older women - Nov. 20
Laser treatments ineffective in preventing vision loss from AMD - Nov. 20
Salt reduction lowers blood pressure in children - Nov. 20
Trial MRSA vaccine proves effective in mice - Nov. 20
Earlier lung cancer detection - Nov. 13
FDA OKs new hepatitis B drug - Nov. 13
New fertility guidelines given - Nov. 13
Not enough evidence to support surgery for narrowed kidney arteries - Nov. 13
Asthma in the obese may be caused by excess weight - Nov. 13
FDA, manufacturer warns of fake glucose test strips - Nov. 6
Moderate drinking may lower heart attack risk for men - Nov. 6
Alzheimer's trials under way - Nov. 6
Patients with one STD at high risk for second - Nov. 6
FDA warns about combining antidepressants, migraine meds - Oct. 23/30
Value of low cholesterol questioned - Oct. 23/30
Can FDA ensure drug safety? - Oct. 23/30
Bacterial threat posed by C. diff - Oct. 23/30
HPV vaccine partnership launched - Oct. 23/30
CDC calls for physicians to report C. diff in sick infants - Oct. 16
Study questions treatment of small kidney cancers - Oct. 16
Egg-throwing prank can cause serious eye injuries - Oct. 16
Researchers study 1918 flu virus - Oct. 16
IBS linked to other ills - Oct. 16
New osteoporosis predictor developed in formula - Oct. 9
Diabetes greater health risk than obesity - Oct. 9
Childhood obesity initiatives studied - Oct. 2
Many pregnant ex-smokers resume after delivery due to weight worries - Oct. 2
Weakened nasal immune system linked to chronic sinusitis - Oct. 2
Less disparity in childhood vaccination rates - Oct. 2
E. coli outbreak triggers FDA warning - Oct. 2
Ample flu vaccine expected - Sept. 25
Dermatologists complain about risk management program for acne drug - Sept. 25
Early obesity could be precursor - Sept. 25
New artificial heart gains approval - Sept. 25
Acne drug associated with abnormal lipids, liver enzymes - Sept. 18
Study suggests arthritis, central nervous system link - Sept. 18
Asthma linked to increased sleep apnea risk in young women - Sept. 18
Warnings added to ADHD drug label - Sept. 18
Assay allows for quick flu strain ID - Sept. 18
Flu shot manufacturers start shipping vaccine - Sept. 11
FDA's drug directory woefully inaccurate - Sept. 11
Smoking cessation drug proves effective - Sept. 4
Breast cancer treatment and heart problems - Sept. 4
Lingering effects of West Nile - Sept. 4
New head of NCI is named - Sept. 4
Statins reduce risk of subsequent strokes - Aug. 28
Anesthetizing against depression - Aug. 28
Autism funding increases but surveillance is a challenge - Aug. 28
Novel trial on Huntington's disease begins - Aug. 28
Shopping cart mishaps land thousands of children in EDs - Aug. 21
Flu vaccine gets OK from FDA - Aug. 21
Moderate alcohol consumption has health benefits for older adults, study finds - Aug. 21
Celiac awareness campaign launched - Aug. 14
Detecting a serious sickle cell disease complication - Aug. 14
Stopping the attack on insulin-producing cells - Aug. 14
Flu vaccine manufacturer to construct new plant - Aug. 7
Diabetes risks for Southeast Asians - Aug. 7
Bariatric surgery's postsurgical complications studied - Aug. 7
Flu vaccine maker gets FDA warning letter - July 24/31
Taking pills regularly, even placebos, improves health - July 24/31
FDA gives warning on antibiotic Ketek - July 24/31
Effective treatment for hot flashes - July 24/31
High-pressure water can cause injury - July 24/31
Surgeon general takes aim at secondhand smoke - July 17
CDC: Measles exposure in travel - July 17
Another statin joins ranks of generics - July 17
AMA continues efforts to improve medical response to disasters - July 10
AMA opposes buprenorphine limits - July 10
MRSA has gone global - July 10
Teen risky behaviors up and down - July 10
AMA urges FDA to prioritize science - July 3
AMA calls for better campus mental health services - July 3
Hyperglycemia increasingly a cause of death in ICU patients - July 3
HPV vaccine gains FDA approval - June 26
FDA OKs limited use of Tysabri - June 26
Asbestos exposure can raise cancer risk - June 26
Osteoporosis increasingly affecting men - June 26
Big tobacco accused of using alcohol, gambling to attract new smokers - June 19
AMA publishes guidebooks for preteens - June 19
Colon cancer tests underused - June 19
Arterial risk from several factors - June 19
WHO director-general dies - June 12
Meningococcal vaccine in short supply - June 12
Antidepressant warning issued - June 12
Plan to boost flu vaccination rates - June 12
Mumps vaccine advice from the CDC - June 5
FDA panel OKs HPV vaccine - June 5
Teen abuse of prescription, OTC drugs on the rise - June 5
FDA OKs new smoking cessation drug - June 5
Cholesterol-lowering drugs not tied to increased breast cancer risk - June 5
National pandemic plan revealed - May 22/29
Only healthy beverages in the nation's schools - May 22/29
Diabetes control improves overall but is not a goal for many patients - May 22/29
Heart attack risk from Cox-2 inhibitors may be highest in first two weeks of use - May 22/29
Statin drugs going generic - May 15
Research trial benefits: Public health gains and lower health care costs - May 15
GAO calls for expansion of FDA's postmarketing authority - May 15
Study: Wait to take blood pressure - May 15
Nations limit antibiotic use in food animals to curb drug resistance - May 8
Behavioral therapies may prevent relapse of anorexia nervosa - May 8
FDA awards contract to evaluate postmarketing study system - May 8
Elderly cancer survivors have reduced physical function - May 8
Mumps outbreak in the Midwest - May 1
Lifestyle changes lower heart risk - May 1
Age-related eye disease associated with cognitive impairment - May 1
Menopause linked to depression onset - May 1
Half of cancer deaths preventable - April 24
Sleep disorder training shorted - April 24
HPV vaccine has long-term benefits - April 24
Too much, too little sleep linked to type 2 diabetes - April 17
FDA panel advises against black-box warning for ADHD drugs - April 17
Oral antibiotics for swimmer's ear get thumbs down - April 17
Avian flu vaccine elicits immune system response - April 17
Analysis finds scant evidence of omega 3 health benefits - April 17
New source found for key Tamiflu ingredient - April 17
Addressing the metabolic syndrome information gap - April 10
Patients on newer diabetes drugs are more compliant - April 10
Telephone counseling a successful smoking cessation tool - April 10
Syphilis rates among women end 13-year decline - April 10
MS drug given green light to re-enter the market with limits - April 3
Pneumonia vaccine and mortality risk - April 3
HPV linked to skin cancer - April 3
Asthma perceptions may cause poor self-management - April 3
Air travel could cause thrombosis - March 27
Disparities found in heart care - March 27
Infants given combination vaccines more likely to get all their shots - March 27
Drug patch approved for depression - March 27
Kidney failure rises, but risk of death declines - March 27
Details on older driver training-the-trainers program - March 20
Immigrants' health worsens after moving to the U.S. - March 20
Delay in surgery for prostate cancer does not affect curability - March 20
Clinical trials of multiple sclerosis drug get go-ahead - March 13
Birth control patch risks shown - March 13
FDA issues approvable letter for weight-loss drug - March 13
OTC allergy medication equivalent to prescription drug - March 13
Supplements give limited benefits - March 6
First of new antibiotic class gets FDA review - March 6
Metabolic differences in enzymes - March 6
Elderly at higher risk of death when spouse is hospitalized - March 6
FDA panel gives Ritalin warning - Feb. 27
Kid's asthma medication masks may not be effective - Feb. 20
Cancer screening rates flat - Feb. 20
FDA approves constipation drug - Feb. 20
Grants to study health disparities announced - Feb. 20
Effective treatment of back pain - Feb. 13
More benefits of fruits and vegetables - Feb. 13
NSAIDS better for moderate, severe osteoarthritis pain - Feb. 13
High levels of particular protein associated with pre-eclampsia - Feb. 13
Antibiotic resistance study looks at soil bacteria - Feb. 6
Saltwater therapy improves lung function for cystic fibrosis patients - Feb. 6
Continuous therapy better at keeping HIV in check - Feb. 6
Genetic risk factor for type 2 diabetes discovered - Feb. 6
Lifestyle improvements can reverse type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome - Jan. 30
Early symptoms of meningococcal disease are identified - Jan. 30
Prostate cancer screening does little to prolong survival - Jan. 30
Corticosteroid therapy should be paired with osteoporosis prevention - Jan. 30
Low antibiotic use in first year of life reduces risk of allergies - Jan. 30
Warning issued for diabetes drug - Jan. 30
Alzheimer's drug safe and effective - Jan. 30
Hep A, meningitis shots needed for more children, adolescents - Jan. 23
ADHD patch receives FDA "approvable letter" - Jan. 23
Superbugs a growing problem - Jan. 23
Painkiller study looks at risk management - Jan. 23
Trust helps motivate patients - Jan. 16
Decline requests for Tamiflu - Jan. 16
GERD treatment strategies - Jan. 16
Diabetes control lowers cardiovascular risks - Jan. 16
AMA proposes establishment of flu vaccine stockpile for small practices - Jan. 2/9
Most not aware of health disparities - Jan. 2/9
Pertussis guidelines updated - Jan. 2/9
GI trouble may prevent overweight from exercising - Jan. 2/9

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

17% of U.S. children are obese. Read more

Copyright 2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

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Wrap rage
Product packaging triggers seasonal frustration and injury risk.
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Feature articles

Running out of patches Options for fixing the Medicare pay crisis

Illness interrupts book excerpt: Life in the Balance

Taking it to the bank A new strategy for health plans

Allergic reaction Food allergies increasing, especially among children

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Jan. 5 issue

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.

Complete issue Columns Letters News briefs

From the vault: 5 years ago

AMA vows united voice in battle for tort reform Jan. 5, 2004