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Evidence Of Harm Has Been Linked To Various Vaccines Challenging Prevailing Public Recommendations
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic set out to determine whether the flu vaccine

Federal Legislation Needed To Improve Oversight Of In Vitro Fertilization, Opinion Piece States
The Family Building Act of 2009 (H.R. 697, S. 1258) "takes an important first step toward improving the way insurers view infertility," but it is "not a silver bullet for improving the way [in vitro fertilization] treatments are conducted and covered," John Zhang, founder and director of the New Hope Fertility Center in New York City, writes in an opinion piece in The Hill. The bill, introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) in the House and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the Senate, would require health insurance companies that cover obstetrical services to cover non-experimental treatment of infertility, including IVF.Zhang writes that one of the "most significant issues is that multiple-embryo transfers have become common practice," which increase the risk for premature delivery, contribute to infant mortality rates and add to costs. According to Zhang, the lack of federal guidelines, "coupled with failure by the insurance industry to cover IVF treatment in the U.S., has encouraged patients to insist on multiple embryo transfer to get the most out of the enormous out-of-pocket fees they incur per cycle." In addition, "because doctors are rewarded for better success rates, the emphasis moves from quality to quantity so that clinics may boost their success rates despite potentially dangerous and expensive health complications," Zhang writes.Zhang continues that if IVF "were more accessible and reimbursed by health insurers, and if embryo transfers were regulated, there would be consequences for clinics and physicians who practice irresponsibly," and it "would be nearly impossible for IVF to lead to high-order multiples with their attendant risks." Although the Family Building Act "addresses this problem from an insurance perspective, it does not incorporate all the critical pieces that would encourage more responsible IVF practices among patients and physicians," according to Zhang.Zhang suggests that lawmakers "set age limitations on insurance coverage to encourage responsible spending" and that regulators "revise the outdated IVF reporting system and start providing incentives that encourage responsible medical practices." He concludes that it is "crucial that legislators and doctors work together to create a regulated and safe environment for IVF patients that upholds the integrity of our country"s medical profession" (Zhang, The Hill, 6/22).
News of the day
Bicycle Helmet Laws For Kids Effective But Not Yet The Norm
Studies have shown wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle reduces one"s risk of death by more than 50 percent, yet every three days, a child in the United States is killed while riding a bicycle, and every day at least 100 children are treated in emergency rooms due to bicycle-related head injuries.
Endocrinology

TMA "Deeply Troubled" By Health Reform Bill

Texas Medical Association (TMA) statement from TMA president William H. Fleming III, MD, regarding H.R. 3200, "America"s Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009," Congressional legislation to reform America"s health care system. "The physicians of the Texas Medical Association believe our health care system is broken and needs reform. However, we have concerns about the current House proposal, H.R. 3200, "America"s Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009." While it addresses some of health care"s ailments, it leaves gaping wounds which do not serve Texas patients well. "As physicians, our primary goal is to improve the health of our patients. We believe that patients and their physicians must be free to make choices that best fit their individual health care needs. This legislation severely limits those choices. "Therefore, TMA cannot support a proposal to create another government-payer health plan while existing government-payer plans, such Medicare, Medicaid, and the military health care program, TRICARE, are failing patients. We are deeply troubled there is no fix to the flawed Medicare funding formula, which limits seniors" ability to see a doctor when they need to; and the absence of medical liability reforms, which provide greater access to care to Texas patients. We remain extremely concerned that the "public option" will soon become the controlling payer in all health care, resulting in an unworkable government price-setting scheme like we now see in Medicare. TMA physicians also are concerned that this plan limits at which hospitals patients can receive care. "TMA physicians will continue to review and analyze H.R. 3200, and pledge to work with Congressional leaders and the Obama administration in crafting legislation that truly would improve health care - the patient-physician relationship - in the United States and Texas. As physicians, it is our ethical duty to provide leadership on these public policy decisions." TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA"s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. Click here to see TMA"s letter to the Texas congressional delegation. Texas Medical Association


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