Doctors urged to question tests to curb waste
Nine medical societies representing about 375,000 physicians release a list of 45 tests and treatments to question and avoid in most cases. The groups lack enforcement power and fear malpractice pressure may keep doctors ordering as before.
Why care now about health care reform effects
The piece notes broad health policy changes in the United States as debates over President Obama’s health overhaul unfold. It highlights the countries spending more on medical care than peers yet delivering mediocre results, and discusses implications for employers lawmakers insurers and doctors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Supreme Court
Barack Obama
United States
Costly Health Care Burden Concentrated Among Small Share
The United States spent 2.6 trillion on health care in 2010. A IMS Institute study finds 5 percent of privately insured patients accounted for half of costs, highlighting high concentration of spending among the very sick.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IMS Institute For Healthcare Informatics
Potential Savings From 45 Medical Recommendations
The text estimates potential savings from fully implementing 45 recommendations but notes uncertainties. It suggests tens of billions of dollars could be saved initially and possibly hundreds of billions over time, though the overall issue of high health care costs remains unresolved.
Choosing Wisely circulates consumer medical lists
The recommendations will be circulated to consumers and doctors by Choosing Wisely, a group that includes employer groups, unions, AARP and Consumer Reports. The insurance industry and government were not involved in the process.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Choosing Wisely
AARP
Consumer Reports
Insurance
Questioning common medical tests and treatments
Guidelines warn against unnecessary imaging and procedures across conditions. Statements urge avoiding early MRIs for low back pain, brain imaging after fainting without seizures, overuse of CT scans in URIs, routine preoperative chest X-rays without indication, repeated colorectal cancer screening only after negative colonoscopy, and initiating dialysis without shared decision making.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
American Academy of Family Physicians
Iowa House votes to ban traffic cameras
The Iowa House approved a traffic camera ban 58 to 42 amid party lines. The measure heads to a Senate unlikely to vote, after a contentious path from early momentum to revival by House leadership.
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Iowa House
Mike Wiser
Des Moines Bureau
Des Moines
Senate
House
Walt Rogers
Cedar Falls
Cedar Rapids Moves on Flood Aid from State and Feds
Cedar Rapids advances flood recovery with $13.8 million federal disaster payments for the hydro plant at the 5-1 bridge and state legislation to fund flood protection. The Iowa House passed a bill to help communities tap incremental sales tax for flood projects, with Gov Branstad's stance not indicated. Mayor Ron Corbett called the bipartisan action a win for Cedar Rapids and the state.
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Ne Gazette
Cedar Rapids
City
The
Iowa House
Terry Branstad
Ron Corbett
Corbett
Senate
Cedar River
Army Corps of Engineers
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Jim Riley
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American College of Physicians
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American College of Radiology
American Gastroenterological Association
American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
American Society of Nephrology
American College of Cardiology
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