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American Medical News
Medical news from the news source for America's physicians

• Medical data breaches most often caused by theft
  An analysis of HHS information finds the biggest security leaks come from stolen laptops and removable memory technology. The take-home message: Keep devices locked up.
• Child obesity gap widens among minorities
  A study advises physicians to measure patients' BMI regularly and take a more active approach to eliminating disparities.
• Specialty societies seek to enter "red flags" lawsuit against FTC
  The CMSS contends that formal policies for detecting and preventing identity theft would impose a significant burden on physicians.
• Primary care physicians reluctant to prescribe prostate cancer prevention drug
  A new survey says they don't know that finasteride is used for chemoprevention. Urologists fear the drug could raise the risk of tumors.
• Discount health plans under fire from FTC and states
  Lawsuits against three companies say customers pay for worthless memberships, leaving them poorer and still without coverage.
• Medicare drug premiums to remain stable in 2011
  CMS says a slight rate increase for Part D insurance, combined with discounts required by the health reform law, will make medications more affordable.
• California rescission rules under attack by health plans
  Insurers say the new regulations will impose added costs, create inconvenience and invade customers' privacy.
• Vaccination rate still low for teens despite uptick
  The CDC sees room for improvement for an age group that's difficult to target because teenagers don't often visit primary care physicians for checkups.
• 5-day pill moves emergency contraception back to doctor's office
  When ella is available later this year, physicians will have to decide if prescribing the drug is right for them and their patients.
• AMA, state societies back plan limiting insurers' administrative spending
  Insurance commissioners propose barring health plans from considering anti-fraud efforts, coding upgrades and some utilization review as medical expenditures.
• Fiscal 2011 spending bills likely put off until after elections
  House Democrats decide against adopting a budget blueprint and may delay required appropriations measures, including those for HHS funding.
• Medicaid EMR guidelines spell out state help for doctors
  CMS clarifies the physician support and technical help that will be required, with the federal government paying 90% of administrative costs.
• U.S. public health emergency plan calls for better vaccine production
  An HHS report outlines initiatives to streamline research and development of medical countermeasures, and allows for expedited FDA approval.
• Most ED patients willing to wait longer to avoid nondoctor care
  As the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants increases, a survey urges greater disclosure about who provides care and their level of training.
• What editorial writers are saying about the Medicare trustees report
  The Obama administration has touted the report as proof that the health system overhaul is helping Medicare's finances.
• Med students open to learning via new media
  However, their differing opinions about the games they would like to use and their effectiveness present obstacles.
• New tax rule targets salaries of health insurance executives
  The reform bill significantly reduces the amount of compensation companies can write off.
• NDM-1 superbug poses threat to medical tourists
  Indian officials accuse a study's authors of naming the mutant gene after New Delhi as a way of scaring patients away.
• How to determine fair wages, benefits for medical practice staff
  Practice Management - A column about keeping your practice in good health