Vol. 99 No. 3
COVER STORY
After Further Review . . .
It's been six years since the legislature established the process for independent review organizations to referee disputes between patients and insurers over medically necessary treatment, and the system seems to be working in patients' favor most of the time. But the IROs are complaining that they're not being used as often as they could be.
By Walt Borges
SCIENCE
The Disappearing Mentor
A growing shortage of qualified science and mathematics teachers in Texas is raising concerns about who will inspire the next generation of physicians. It's so bad that some educators are being forced to teach subjects they're really not qualified to teach.
By Ken Ortolon
LAW
Cracks in the Wall
Health insurers have hidden behind a federal law known as ERISA for almost 30 years and have been virtually immune to legal challenges from patients harmed by their decisions. But a series of court rulings is chipping away at ERISA's wall of invulnerability.
By Walt Borges
PUBLIC HEALTH
Take Your Best Shot
The value of immunizations is unquestioned. The problem is Texas isn't doing enough to make sure its citizens are protected. We now rank 42nd nationally in childhood immunizations, but, hey, that's better than two years ago. We used to be last.
By Ken Ortolon
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Healing and Lobbying
When TMA goes to the legislature to work for passage of a piece of legislation, it's not just the paid lobbyists who do the work. They're backed by a cadre of physicians, TMA staff, and other experts.
By Ken Ortolon
THE JOURNAL
Protecting Texas Children: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Improving Childhood Vaccination Rates
By Clarke E. Cochran, PhD; David R. Smith, MD; Glen Reid, MPA, OTR; Helen Morrow, LMSW-ACP; and Jennifer Ramirez
The Association Between Cotton and Prevalence of Rural Childhood Asthma
By Brian Kingston, MD, and Michael L. Parchman, MD
Safety of Foods Derived From Genetically Modified Plants
By John A. Thomas, PhD
ROUNDS
TMA's 150th * Winter Conference Wrap-up * TexMed 2003 Preview * Editorial Committee Vacancy * Accepting Partial Payment * HIPAA Myths * Foundation Benefit * HIPAA Help
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