By Pamela Lewis Dolan http://www.ama-assn.org As three mid-size physician practices in Tampa, Fla. — LoCicero Internal Medicine, South Tampa Medical Group and Pinnacle Health Group — finalized plans to merge into one large practice, it occurred to the parties involved that there was still one major decision that had to be made: Which of the […]

By Brian Hedger http://www.ama-assn.org/ The number of first-year students enrolled at U.S. allopathic medical schools reached a new record of 18,036. That is up 1.6% from last year’s tally of 17,759 and continues a trend, started in 1999, of increasing enrollment for first-year students, according to data released in October by the Assn. of American […]

By Karen Caffarini http://www.ama-assn.org/ Medical societies are emphasizing how physicians’ practices help local and state economies as they seek recruiting help and financial incentives. Around the country, physicians are letting their communities know that their practices don’t only keep bodies healthy, they also keep economies healthy.

Dr. Clif Cleaveland, Commentary http://timesfreepress.com I believe that access to affordable medical care of high quality is a basic right of all American citizens. Without decent health care, there is little chance for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.â€? For many Americans, this right cannot be realized in our fragmented, increasingly expensive system. Market […]

http://www.prweb.com Chicago (PRWEB) October 22, 2008 — Rates for physicians’ liability insurance decreased for the large majority of physicians from their 2007 levels, according to Medical LiabilityMonitor’s annual nationwide Rate Survey released this week. This year’s study found 49.9 percent of rates did not change between 2007 and 2008; in fact, 20.8 percent of rates […]

By Maureen Hoch http://www.pbs.org Faced with one of the nation’s highest poverty rates and the second highest percentage of the population living without health insurance, New Mexico is navigating significant challenges when it comes to the medical care of its residents – often making health care reform a top issue of discussion during this election […]

http://www.marketwatch.com JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (First Professionals) has announced a new program that will bring preferred insurance solutions to physicians in the state of Ohio. In conjunction with First Professionals, The Premium Group, Inc. (PGI) is enhancing its partnership with the Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA) by bringing […]

A newly-released 2008 Medical Economics survey focusing on malpractice premiums for physicians across the United States provides encouraging medical industry news on one of the least popular issues for healthcare providers – malpractice insurance. The actuarial research, presented to the Physician Insurers Association of America and reported by Medical Economics, is available for perusal by […]

http://www.marketwatch.com DANIA, Fla., Oct 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Healthcare Underwriters Group of Florida (HUFL), a medical liability insurance company licensed and operating in Florida that is owned and governed exclusively by Florida physicians, announced today that it will pay its first cash dividends to its policyholders/owners. This action was approved by HUFL’s Subscribers Advisory […]