Not that I'm ranting, but the two week delay CMS has instituted for Medicare claims doesn't really help us docs much.  the issue is that Congress couldn't reach an agreement to reverse the cuts scheduled for March 1, so CMS holds the claims until there is some sort of agreement.  It's easier for them to retoactively pay claims than it is for them to figure out how to make a cut whole again after p

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Illinois Supreme Court Reverses Tort.mp3

With the stroke of 4 pens, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed a 2005 tort reform law. This reversal is a welcome mat for more medical malpractice cases and defensive medicine.

WSJ today has the 2009 number on healthcare expenditures in the US: $2.4 trillion.  They check it in t

Coming as little surprise, herbal remedies may interact with cardiac medicines. The WebMD article draws needed attention to an area that is not often mentioned in the promotions of supplement manufacturers.

Some specific examples they cited included:

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1-22-10.mp3

The 1960s brought flower power and also the invention of Tamoxifen.  Tamoxifen reduced breast cancer recurrence by 50%, and women everywhere rejoiced.

The 1960s brought flower power and also the invention of Tamoxifen.  Tamoxifen reduced breast cancer recurrence by 50%, and women everywhere rejoiced.

This question comes from a man in his thirties.

Before starting any fitness or exercise program, be sure to check with a doctor if there are any questions about your health or capabilities.

First, let's look at the guidelines put out by the US Government. There is a helpful website available at http://pag.airhealthprojects.org/paguidelines/adultguide/default.aspx, and a PDF of the information there can be found at http://pag.airhealthprojects.org/paguidelines/pdf/adultguide.pdf

Let the gushing begin. The new son-of-Plavix, Brilinta, beat Plavix in a randomized trial, published this week.

Plavix is a leading blood thinner given to patients after a heart attack or stent procedure. Only problem is that it's set to go off patent in 2011, leaving AstraZeneca needing to fill a $6 billion/year revenue hole.

Looks like Brilinta is all but inevitable. The incremental benefit is 1.9%, leaving insurance pharmacy benefit managers having to scratch their heads over whether a 1.9% benefit is worth billions of dollars in incremental drug spending.

Every so often, the media trots out that old warhorse, "Docs are not honest enough with terminal patients." I get to this conflict all the time as an oncologist.

The latest fuel for the ongoing discussion is a paper published in this months' journal Cancer. Researchers found docs were reluctant to address end of life issues with terminal patients.

Seems like we heard capitulation from the White House today. Wait until October says the President. I have been Waiting to Exhale and now maybe the more apropos title would be Waiting for Godot: will we ever have a passable bill. Thank goodness at least for Cooler Heads to prevail. I was very nervous that we would have a rerun of the Patriot Act or TARP or Stimulus Bill I or II rammed through with very little thought to long-term consequences. What is the solution to Fixing Healthcare?