Bound and gagged: AMA: unethical managed care rules stifle communication

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling on managed care providers to rid their physician contracts of gag clauses, which put limitations on physicians' openness with their patients. The AMA has also agreed to voluntarily examine managed care contracts for possible unethical interference with the physician-patient relationship. Under certain contracts, a gag clause might not allow doctors to tell patients about treatments that they deem best if they fall outside the scope of the managed care plan.

Laws, regulations and rules, American Medical Association, Managed care plans (Medical care)

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Dutch data indicate physician-assisted death on rise

Article Abstract:

Physician-assisted suicides in the Netherlands are rising, up either 27% or 48% in 1995 from their 1990 numbers. A 1995 report from the Dutch government, using data from physician interviews and questionnaires, reveals that 53% of physicians assisted in a patient's death in 1995, with a total of 3,118 cases of euthanasia confirmed through interviews and 3,253 cases of euthanasia confirmed through a study of death certificates. Euthanasia accounted for 2.4% of all Dutch deaths in 1995.

Netherlands, Reports, Social policy, Assisted suicide

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Ethics, fertility groups consider regulatory options

Article Abstract:

The National Advisory Board on Ethics in Reproduction offered to lead an effort to develop ethical and clinical standards for reproductive medicine, in the wake of allegations of oversight by several groups. University of CA Irvine physicians were charged with ethical and financial improprieties, including the births of several babies that resulted from implantation of embryos from unconsenting donors.

Standards, Services, Health care industry, Fertility, Human, Human fertility, Fertilization in vitro, Human, Human fertilization in vitro

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