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Register for a free digital subscriptionVol. 13, No. 9
September 2004
'May You Live in Interesting Times'
The health care industry, doing well today, may be in for some interesting times, a euphemism for big-time trouble. Have rising costs brought us to yet another watershed?
Straight Talk From Margaret E. O'Kane
The head of the NCQA likes pay for performance. "We're paying for bad quality now, and that bad quality often costs more."
That's the advice of the consultant Sherrie Dulworth, RN, of Milliman USA. CAM can be good therapy and good business.
Guidelines Can Bend Without Breaking
HMOs need to change their attitude toward what are supposed to be tools for doctors, not rules chiseled in stone.
Fill Your Conferences and Workshops
Here's what one MCO learned about how to recruit for educational seminars: Let the medical director issue the invitation.
Taking Stock of Illness on the Clock
Employers are looking into presenteeism, when workers are on the job but not functioning at 100 percent. Can plans help?
Big and small business cry "Crisis!"
Pfizer: We did well by Fla. Medicaid.
News and Commentary
VA Beats Managed Care In Treatment of Diabetes
Bush officials seek bounce from Medicare reform law [chart]
Headlines on Deadline
Heart meds underuse means trouble.
Four favored specialties prosper.
Orphan drugs deserve coverage.
Employers skeptical about CDHC.