Out-of-state drug dealers and addicts are traveling long distances to visit Florida pain clinics, targeting the state due to lax oversight over prescription drugs, which makes scoring pills much easier.

Despite the known dangers, Florida lacks a system for tracking prescription drugs. That, according to law enforcement officials, makes it a haven for addicts and "pill mills," where doctors churn out prescriptions without thoroughly examining patients.

The problem was noted in a national drug threat assessment released Nov. 15 by the U.S.Department of Justice. The report outlined the "drug run" phenomenon in South Florida, saying residents of states with prescription monitoring "have in some cases turned to traveling to nearby states ... to illegally obtain pharmaceuticals."

California could be the first state with a real- time prescription drug monitoring system to crack down on narcotics abuse. Kaiser Permanente recently agreed to pay for a study of a proposed computer program to give doctors, pharmacists and some law enforcement instant, online access to medical records. The state currently requires only monthly reports.

The plan raises privacy concerns with some, but supporters — including the state attorney general's office, state board of pharmacy and state Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch — say it would reduce "doctor- shopping" by abusers seeking multiple prescriptions.

If approved, the program will be the first in the nation. Only two other states, Kentucky and Maine, have begun researching real-time, Web-based systems.

The Bush administration on Monday proposed sweeping reductions in payments to pharmacies as a way to save money for Medicaid, the health program for more than 50 million low-income people.

The goal is to ensure that Medicaid can get drug discounts similar to those provided to large customers in the private market, including companies like Caremark Rx and Medco Health Solutions that manage drug benefits for people who have health insurance through an employer. Congressional investigators have found that Medicaid pays 35 percent more than the lowest price available in the private market for some commonly used brand-name drugs.

A Stamford ophthalmologist says he was prosecuted in retribution for contacting legislator. Dr. Richard Weber files these claims in a sweeping federal lawsuit targeting DSS, the office of the chief state's attorney, employees of both agencies and a private company contracted by the state to review Medicaid claims.

The lawsuit alleges civil rights and due process violations and malicious prosecution, and charges the agencies and certain of the named defendants with engaging in a racketeering enterprise involving mail and wire fraud.

Maryland's largest malpractice insurer is seeking to cut its premiums by 8 percent for 2007 - a sharp contrast to 2004 and 2005, when hefty premium increases provoked waves of physician protests and pushed the state legislature into special session to enact premium subsidies.

The rate reduction would be the insurer's first across- the-board cut since at least 1992, though doctors won't see a drop in premiums due this month to Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland.

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ASIPP invites you to attend an exciting, focused, and comprehensive, didactic and hands-on cadaver workshop covering vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty on February 16-18, 2007 in Memphis TN.

This state-of-the-art educational program of didactic courses will cover various aspects of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, followed by a comprehensive hands- on cadaver workshop. All of which will assist interventional pain physicians who would like to perform these procedures in meeting the credentialing needs. It is also appropriate for those who would like to learn more about the procedures.

The course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking credentialing and as an in-depth review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Participants will experience a comprehensive and focused learning opportunity; focusing on all aspects of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. This 3- day event will provide the opportunity to improve existing skills, learn new skills, and expand your knowledge in interventional pain procedures.

Visit our meetings page for more information

The first federal appeals court decision to affirm that patients cannot sue under HIPAA offers some relief for physicians. But with patients still able to bring privacy claims in state court, the ruling does little to alleviate doctors' concerns about the possibility of lawsuits for confidentiality breaches.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in November concluded that, because Congress delegated HIPAA enforcement to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, lawmakers did not intend to create a private right for individuals to sue for privacy violations.

Read more on this story in the AMA News.

Beginning today, the Pain Physician journal moves from its current e-mail and paper article submission to a new online method. The new process eliminates problems with file size and figure quality.

To utilize the system, authors will click on the "submit manuscript online" link provided on the Pain Physician Web site and follow a few simple instructions for article submission. After submission is complete, the author will receive a confirmation email with a link designated to that article.

For questions on the Pain Physician online submission, contact Holly Long at: hlong@asipp.org

Along with updated technology, the journal also has an updated cover. The January issue of Pain Physician will feature a new cover design (see graphic). Additionally the Journal publication will increase from quarterly to 6 times per year. You will now receive the Pain Physician in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

In the early morning hours of December 9, Congress enacted the "Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006" (H.R. 6111) and other key legislation before concluding its 2006 session. Both the House and the Senate now stand in adjournment until January 4.

H.R. 6111 was approved by a vote of 367 to 45 in the House and by a vote of 79 to 9 in the Senate. This legislation, which is now cleared for the President's signature, includes provisions that have implications for Medicare, Medigap, Medicaid, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

In addition, the bill also includes a 1.5% increase in reimbursement for voluntary reporting of quality measures which would begin in July. The reversal of the cut may not be seen immediately in January; it will be adjusted eventually once the bill is signed into law and CMS works on it.

To illustrate the impact of this reversal, click on the following link for the 2007 Physician Fee Schedule with and without cuts Physician Fee Schedule .