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By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, June 16, 2009
President Barack Obama told the nation's largest physicians organization on Monday that the fear of litigation is driving expensive and inefficient "defensive medicine." But he says patient-safety initiatives and evidence-based medicine are a better cure than caps on malpractice. Speaking to the 158th annual meeting of the American Medical Association, the president also repeated his call for a "public option" health plan to provide Americans with low-cost insurance alternatives that will "keep the insurance companies honest."
By: Janice Simmons, for HealthLeaders Media, June 16, 2009
At about the same time President Barack Obama was telling the American Medical Association in Chicago about making spending cuts through targeting inefficiencies in the Medicare program, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission officially was releasing its report to Congress on "Improving Incentives in the Medicare Program" that addresses similar spending issues.
By: Philip Betbeze, for HealthLeaders Media, June 16, 2009
HealthLeaders Media Senior Editor Philip Betbeze blogs about his experiences this week at the HFMA Annual National Institute in Seattle. You can follow Philip Betbeze's HFMA updates on Twitter throughout the conference at www.twitter.com/HealthLeaders.
By: Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, June 16, 2009
When David Priver, MD, once an American Medical Association delegate, read last week that the group opposed President Barack Obama's public insurance plan option for adults under age 65, he blasted an angry e-mail to his colleagues: ". . . If nothing is done to reverse this ill-advised AMA policy, we can expect (AMA) membership to drop like a stone," wrote the San Diego obstetrician-gynecologist. Even when learning the AMA backed off from that stance the next day, clarifying that it merely opposed any plan that forces physicians to participate or which pays Medicare rates which are too low, Priver was not appeased.
By: Les Masterson, for HealthLeaders Media, June 15, 2009
The American Hospital Association made it clear today that it will not support healthcare reform that would cut hospital payments.
By: Sarah Kearns, for HealthLeaders Media, June 15, 2009
Facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom are using storytelling to enhance the information that comes out of the patient history taken by a care provider, which is often used to get a better sense of how to treat the patient.
By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, June 15, 2009
Hospital employees who've successfully undergone wellness training can provide an excellent example to their families, friends, and neighbors in their communities.
By: Michelle Ponte, for HealthLeaders Media, June 15, 2009
Is healthcare in its first wave of labor cost containment, or has it come to full blown cuts of what used to be the untouchables: salaries and jobs?