FEBRUARY 22, 2018
[Georgia] bill to allow nurses expanded powers gets watered down (quotes MAG’s president) 
Georgia Health News
The original proposal would have let advanced nurses work more independently in rural areas of Georgia. READ MORE
Anthem ER denial policy has medical industry on edge (mentions MAG)
Naples Daily News
Insurance giant Anthem’s recent policy to deny claims for certain emergency room services in a half-dozen states has garnered widespread wrath and may jeopardize patient care, opponents say. | READ MORE
The attestation albatross: Some doctors lose Medicaid funds due to ‘bizarre’ pay problem
Georgia Health News
Dr. Patrick Pulliam, a Stockbridge pediatrician, moved to a new, bigger medical office last year. | READ MORE
Gov. Deal approves adding more illnesses under Georgia's medical marijuana program
11 Alive
A bill to expand Georgia’s medical marijuana program has been endorsed by Gov. Nathan Deal. | READ MORE
[Georgia] bill would allow lower tax on ‘modified risk’ tobacco product
Georgia Health News
A Georgia House panel approved a measure Wednesday that would allow a “modified risk’’ tobacco product to have a tax that’s half of what exists now for cigarettes sold in the state. | READ MORE
Flu deaths [in Georgia] up to 79; hospitalizations reach new high in metro area
Georgia Health News
Georgia public health officials have now confirmed a total of 79 influenza-related deaths this flu season, including three children, as of Friday. | READ MORE
FluMist set to return for next flu season
CBS46
Flu vaccinations may become painless again. A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee voted Wednesday to recommend, once again, that FluMist, the nasal spray version of the influenza vaccine, be used during the 2018-19 season. | READ MORE
U.S. health care tab to keep rising, led by higher costs for drugs and services, government report says
Los Angeles Times
Driven by rising prices for drugs and medical services, the nation's health care tab will continue to outpace economic growth over the next decade, according to a new government report. | READ MORE
Another medical study confirms: Transparency, apology by hospitals after adverse medical outcomes sharply reduce litigation costs
PRWeb
For years, a growing body of research has documented how physicians' willingness to explain and apologize for adverse medical outcomes can substantially reduce lawsuits and litigation expenses. | READ MORE
Anthem calls on eye surgeons to monitor anesthesia during cataract surgery
Kaiser Health News
If you need cataract surgery, your eye surgeon may have to do double duty as your anesthetist under a new policy by health insurer Anthem. | READ MORE
Patients want physicians to have greater connectivity
Medical Xpress
Most patients want greater connectivity, online tools and text messaging, as well as more time with their physicians, according to a report published in Medical Economics. | READ MORE
Hospitals performed small amount of cost-shifting, study finds
Healthcare Dive
A new National Bureau of Economic Research report on cost-shifting found that Affordable Care Act cost containment strategies resulted in hospitals negotiating 1.5% higher average private payer reimbursements to offset the cuts from public payers. | READ MORE
Advertise with MAG: Please contact Tom Kornegay at 678.303.9260 or tkornegay@mag.org if you are interested in running an ad in the Georgia Pulse, which is a weekly compilation of media reports that are related to health care and the medical profession. It is sent to more than 6,000 physicians in Georgia.
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