The Federal Trade Commission blasted a physician-supported Connecticut bill that would create “cooperative arrangements” between healthcare providers that, if approved by the state attorney general, would not be subject to certain antitrust laws. FULL STORY »
The Florida Medical Association and Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott are describing two medical malpractice bills Scott signed this week as big victories for physicians and for business. FULL STORY »
Advocates say standardization of healthcare protocols and procedures can save lives, time and money, but that doesn't mean establishing standards is easy. FULL STORY »
As predictions of a looming doctor shortage become more severe, a recent survey found that more family physicians are working with nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives. Another survey found that patients increasingly are accepting treatment by... FULL STORY »
Dr. Sidney Wolfe is stepping down as director of the Public Citizen Health Research Group, which he founded with consumer activist Ralph Nader in 1971. He will continue with the organization as “founder and senior adviser,” while Dr. Michael Carome takes over as director. FULL STORY »
A new study finds that U.S. hospitals recorded about 70,000 fewer cases than expected of Medicare patients being readmitted for inpatient care last year. FULL STORY »
Using ointment and germ-killing soap on all ICU patients proved more effective than screening patients in reducing bloodstream infections and lowering the presence MRSA, a study found. FULL STORY »
Republican House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders have revealed a draft of a bill that would repeal Medicare's contentious physician payment formula and replace it with a payment system that places greater emphasis on quality and efficiency. FULL STORY »
The dust has not settled over the American Psychiatric Association's release of the controversial fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as DSM-5, as the debate now centers on whether the new manual is already obsolete. FULL STORY »
Promising to “bolster physicians' clinical and financial autonomy,” three Texas physician associations have teamed up to form the Physician Services Organization for Patient Care, which will work with physician groups, health plans and vendors to test and develop new care models and... FULL STORY »
