MINNEAPOLIS, December 1, 2008—The Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) provides that, starting in 2009, physicians will be eligible for incentive payments when they e-prescribe for Medicare patients seen in their offices.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 26, 2008—For the first time since the government began compiling records, the rate of cancer has begun to decline, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 18, 2008—The AMA has praised U.S. Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., for his important contribution last week to the ongoing effort to reform the nation’s health care system.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 25, 2008—An article in The British Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adolescents who experience psychotic symptoms are more likely to have been bullies themselves.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 25, 2008— Researchers from the United States and Uganda have released the first full scientific report on a new Ebola species that struck western Uganda late last year and was linked to 149 suspected cases and 37 deaths, at least 4 of them health care providers.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 24, 2008—The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week awarded a contract to the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) for working on an element of health care reform.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 24—A new report from the University of Minnesota warns that an influenza pandemic could disrupt the coal industry, thereby endangering the nation's significantly coal-dependent electric power system and everything that depends on it.

A new survey on the growing shortage of doctors from The Physicians’ Foundation reports that almost half—more than 150,000 physicians—say they intend to cut back on patients or retire.

MINNEAPOLIS, October 23, 2008—Once again the MMA is partnering with the Wisconsin Medical Society to bring you the 2009 updates. This year though, the updates will be offered in a series of four lunch and learn teleconferences. This will enable all the coders in your office to hear the changes for one low price.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 21, 2008—The Minnesota Department of Health has announced that the fifth annual Bruce Zimmerman Award for work with diabetes in Minnesota has gone to Richard M. Bergenstal, M.D.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 20, 2008—Ginkgo biloba, an herbal extract thought by many to sharpen mental faculties, was found to be ineffective in preventing or delaying dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, in a major independent clinical trial.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 20, 2008—The two trade groups, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, separately announced support Wednesday for guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions—if an enforceable mandate for individual coverage is in effect.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 20—The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is expanding its warning about cookies containing the industrial chemical melamine.

MINNEAPOLIS, November 20, 2008—The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking public input on what types of health plan activities should be considered “of community benefit” for the purpose of determining their nonprofit status.

MINNEAPOLIS, October 16, 2008—Once again the MMA is partnering with the Wisconsin Medical Society to bring you the 2009 CPT updates.