OB GYN News articles from September 2002

OB GYN News archives from September 2002

Quantify abnormal cord coiling. (Decreasing Liability Risk).
September 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Abnormal cord coiling should be quantified, Dr. Geoffrey A. Macbin said at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum management sponsored by the University of California, San Francisco. "Very few obstetricians know that cord...

Vital Signs.
September 1, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Average Time Spent With Physician During Office Visit Minutes Psychiatry 39 Internal Medicine 20.7 OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 17.9 General and Family...

Mammography screening study praised, criticized: Some hail its size and scope, but others say it has critical design flaws. (45% Decrease in Breast CA Mortality).
September 1, 2002... A recent large-scale Swedish study linking routine screening mammography to a 45% decrease in breast cancer mortality is being criticized by some experts as having major flaws that undermine its findings. The retrospective observational...

Norplant effective but won't be back on market: Users can stop backup contraception. (Called 'a Real Loss' for Women).
September 1, 2002... Norplant has gotten a reprieve--and an execution. In a recent letter to health care professionals, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals announced that women using Norplant from batches distributed on or after October 20, 1999, can discontinue their backup...

Combined HRT not linked to endometrial hyperplasia. (Long-Term Continuous TX).
September 1, 2002... Postmenopausal women who used continuous combined hormone replacement therapy for up to 5 years were not at increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy in a prospective, long-term follow-up study. Moreover, the therapy was...

Panel urges FDA to issue guidance on tuna consumption in pregnancy. (Mercury Exposure at Issue).
September 1, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration needs to issue recommendations regarding tuna consumption in women who are or may become pregnant, a government advisory committee said. At issue is the safety of methylmercury, which is found in at least...

HRT on trial. (Guest Editorial).
September 1, 2002... The stunning decision to call an early halt to one of two hormone studies in the Women's Health Initiative unleashed a host of questions about the long-term safety of hormone replacement therapy. A full 3 years ahead of plan, the WHI safety...

Letters.
September 1, 2002... Breast-Feeding and DMPA I applaud Dr. Anita L. Nelson for prioritizing breast-feeding enough to study the effects of medications on milk supply ("Postpartum DMPA Doesn't Prevent Lactation" Jan. 1, 2002, p. 7). It is interesting that the...

Ginkgo advocated for Tx of sexual dysfunction. (Adverse Effect of Antidepressants).
September 1, 2002... SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA -- The ancient Chinese herb Ginkgo Biloba may provide a solution to the thoroughly modern problem of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. The herb alone, or particularly in certain combination products, helps...

What Gynecologists need to know about SIRS. (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).
September 1, 2002... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is not well known in the field of gynecologic surgery, despite being well described in the general surgery literature, Dr. William Saye said. "It's definitely an entity that we need...

Ovarian remnant syndrome managed laparoscopically. (Case Series of 26 Patients).
September 1, 2002... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- Patients with ovarian remnant syndrome can be effectively treated laparoscopically based on the findings of a 26-patient series "Ovarian remnant syndrome is a rare occurrence and most surgeons would recommend managing it...

Tips offered on reducing bowel injuries during laparoscopy. (Lowering Liability Risk).
September 1, 2002... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- Litigation for laparoscopic injury frequently centers around problems with the initial entry into the peritoneum as well as delayed recognition of the injury, according to Dr. George Vilos. "Laparoscopy is the only...

Breast masses in teenagers almost always Benign fibroadenomas. (Most Regress on their Own).
September 1, 2002... MIAMI BEACH - The vast majority of breast masses in teenagers are fibroadenomas that don't require treatment because most will eventually regress on their own, Dr. Patricia Simmons said. "The incidence of a breast malignancy is zero per...

Should laparoscopy be used in uterine didelphys and obstructed hemivagina? (Checking for Endometriosis).
September 1, 2002... MIAMI BEACH - Physicians should consider performing a laparoscopy to look for endometriosis in patients with uterine didelphys and obstructed hemivagina, Dr. Michal Yaron advised. "Not everyone would agree with me on this, but I feel that...

Pelvic pain in teens is often nongynecologic. (Diet may Play Role).
September 1, 2002... SEA ISLAND, GA. -- Pelvic pain in an adolescent is a puzzle with a multitude of confusing pieces, many of which lie outside the domain of gynecology. Think of abdominal-pelvic pain in a teen as a reminder to look farther afield than would...

Study finds sentinel lymph node biopsy effective. (Blue dye, scintigraphy used).
September 1, 2002... Los ANGELES--Women with small breast tumors may be able to avoid the trauma of axilary node dissection by undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy that combines blue dye and scintigraphy. That finding emerged from a large, prospective study...

Data Watch.
September 1, 2002... DATA WATCH Estimated New Breast Cancer Cases and Deaths in U.S. Women, 2001 Age In Situ Cases Invasive Cases Deaths <30 100 900 100 30-39 1,600 8,000 1,200 40-49 ...

Danazol may be linked to rise in ovarian cancer, small study finds. (Risk raised two-to threefold).
September 1, 2002... MIAMI BEACH--Danazol use may be associated with increased risk for ovarian cancer, the results of a small study suggest. In the study, which included pooled data from two case-control studies, women who used danazol were nearly three times...

Anastrozole effective for newly diagnosed breast cancer. (Adjunctive treatment).
September 1, 2002... Anastrozole was effective and well tolerated for adjuvant treatment of early, hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal patients in a large, randomized trial. These findings suggest that anastrozole is another treatment option for...

Protein could be marker of early ovarian cancer. (Blood test).
September 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO--Early ovarian cancer might be detectable with a blood test. Dr. Bin Ye reported a case-control study of 99 patients with ovarian cancer and 201 age-matched controls at the annual meeting of the American Association for...

PMDD treatment may require fine tuning. (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
September 1, 2002... Earlier this year, sertraline joined fluoxetine as an approved medication for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, both in intermittent and continuous dosing schedules. The use of these drugs for this indication is associated with a good...

ECs may be effective when administered vaginally. (Double the oral dose).
September 1, 2002... RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. -- Two common regimens for emergency contraception may be as effective when administered vaginally at twice the dose of oral administration, Dr. Eliran Mor said. The oral Yuzpe regimen (500 g levonorgestrel plus 100 g...

Menstrual migraine responds to oral zolmitriptan therapy. (Prospective study).
September 1, 2002... DENVER -- Oral zolmitriptan was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of migraine associated with menses, Dr. Elizabeth Loder reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology The finding was seen in an 18-center,...

Cerebral changes seen in twins without TTTS. (Discordant birth weights).
September 1, 2002... OSLO--A higher than expected rate of anomalies was found on neonatal cerebral ultrasounds in discordant birth-weight twins without twin-twin transfusion syndrome in a study presented at the 18th European Congress of Perinatal Medicine, "We...

Hands off the perineum during delivery? (Avoiding perineal tears).
September 1, 2002... Keeping your hands off the perineum during delivery may lower the risk of a severe perineal tear and make an episiotomy less likely, Dr. Klaus Mayerhofer of the University of Vienna, and his associates reported. In a prospective,...

Rheumatologic drug use in pregnancy. ('A lot of gray areas').
September 1, 2002... CHICAGO--Many rheumatologic drugs carry risk during pregnancy, and decisions about which agents to use can be difficult, Dr. Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman said at a clinical symposium sponsored by the American College of Rheumatology. "Although...

Alternative Tx for psychiatric disorders. (Drugs, Pregnancy, and Lactation).
September 1, 2002... A common scenario seen on our consultation service is a woman with an anxiety or mood disorder who is stabilized on a drug and who wants to switch to an alternative medicine during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. The compounds people ask...

Sepsis: Group B strep declines, E. coli on the rise. (Tied to intrapartum antibiotics).
September 1, 2002... Early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis in very-low-birth-weight infants has decreased since the introduction of widespread intrapartum antibiotic therapy But there has been a corresponding increase in early-onset sepsis caused by...

Breast-feeding linked to reduced breast ca risk. (Duration and Incidence).
September 1, 2002... Breast-feeding duration and incidence are both associated with reduced breast cancer risk, results of a large international study suggest. For every year of breast-feeding, the relative risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3%, and for...

Amnio doesn't tell whole story with CNS abnormalities. (Family history, MRI also important).
September 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- One of the most useful rules about genetic counseling for CNS abnormalities is this: Amniocentesis doesn't tell you everything. That advice was offered by Dr. Mary Norton at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum...

Fetal DNA in maternal blood allows less invasive diagnosis of anomalies. (Tests in development).
September 1, 2002... OSLO -- Analysis of fetal DNA circulating in a mother's bloodstream may provide easier diagnosis of prenatal anomalies than fetal-cell testing, Dr. Diana W Bianchi said at the 18th European Congress of Perinatal Medicine. Because it is...

Do elective cesareans cut perinatal hepatitis C? (Panel calls for research).
September 1, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- An expert panel has called for research into the possibility that elective cesarean section may protect against perinatal transmission of hepatitis C infection. Acquisition of the infection through the maternal-infant route...

Number of infants born with HIV down 80% since 1991. (U.S. Data).
September 1, 2002... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- The number of infants born infected with HIV in the United States fell to an estimated total of about 350 in 2000. This is about an 80% drop from the peak rate in 1991 based on calculations by the Centers for Disease...

Drug update: Moderately severe migraine headaches. (Clinical Rounds).
September 1, 2002... Triptans have revolutionized the treatment of migraines. More formally known as selective serotonin receptor agonists, triptans are clearly the first class of drugs physicians should consider when treating most patients with migraine headaches...

Colorectal ca screening gets new federal push. (Five options cited as acceptable).
September 1, 2002... Updated federal recommendations support a wider variety of choices in colorectal cancer screening and strongly urge physicians to help people aged 50 years or older pick one--any one--of the options. For the first time, recommendations from...

High cancer risk persists long after quitting smoking. (14 Years of Follow-Up).
September 1, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- The excess risk for lung cancer among women who smoke persists for 30 years after they quit, even if they were light smokers, Thomas A. Sellers, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Preventive Oncology....

Fish intake linked to reduced CHD in diabetic women. (Nurses' health study).
September 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- A high intake of fish was associated with a lower incidence of coronary heart disease and lower total mortality among diabetic women, Dr. Frank Hu reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association....

Final federal medical privacy rule released. (May mean more red tape for doctors).
September 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Under the federal rule governing the privacy of medical records, patients have renewed assurance that their personal medical information will be kept private, but doctors face more administrative hassles, according to Dr. Robert...

Foreign-educated doctors train as nurses in Fla. (500 applicants and growing).
September 1, 2002... Florida International University has launched an innovative program to train foreign-educated physicians to become nurses. The program has been 3 years in development and is seen as one solution to the state s nursing shortage, said Divina...

Ovarian cancer legislation. (Policy & Practice).
September 1, 2002... The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to expedite the investigation of a blood test that has shown promise in detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro...

House passes abortion ban. (Policy & Practice).
September 1, 2002... The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a ban on so-called partial-birth abortions. The legislation, H.R. 4965, carries a fine or a 2-year prison sentence for any physician who performs the procedure. In a press release, Rep. Steve Chabot...

Global family planning pulled. (Policy & Practice).
September 1, 2002... Women's rights groups are decrying the Bush Administration's decision to pull $34 million in funding it had earmarked for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which assists developing countries with reproductive health issues, family...

Ob.gyns. and computers. (Policy & Practice).
September 1, 2002... Ob.gyns. are among the heaviest computer users of all physician specialties, the American Medical Association says in a report detailing physician computer and Internet use. The percentage of physicians with a Web site climbed in 2001 to 44%...

Nursing legislation. (Policy & Practice).
September 1, 2002... The nursing shortage may start showing signs of improvement now that President Bush has signed legislation addressing the issue. The law expands eligibility for the nursing loan repayment program to include services in private hospitals, state...

Heat wrap. (Products).
September 1, 2002... ThermaCare is an ultra-thin, disposable heat wrap that provides pain relief and deep muscle relaxation by delivering therapeutic, low-level heat for at least 8 hours. The wraps are air activated and contain a mixture of common materials that...

Disposable footprinter system. (Products).
September 1, 2002... Kleen-Print is a disposable footprinter system designed to provide positive identification and correlation of mother and newborn. A microthin layer of specially formulated fingerprint ink is applied to the underside of the Kleen-Print film,...

Disposable washcloths. (Products).
September 1, 2002... Nice 'N Clean Medi-Soothe washcloths are extra mild, hypoallergenic, and alcohol-free disposable wet wipes. Available in resealable packs of 24, the washcloths are gentle enough for use in obstetrics, perineal care, and postoperative rectal...

'Exceptional patient care'. (Products).
September 1, 2002... A Web site, www.susanbaker.com, provides advice and products aimed at improving the service offered to patients by health care organizations. The site, which was created by Susan Keane Baker, who is a professional speaker and former health care...

Liquid barrier to microbes. (Products).
September 1, 2002... Dermabond (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) liquid topical skin adhesive is approved for use as a barrier to microbial penetration as long as the adhesive film remains intact. The adhesive can be used to close surgical incisions and traumatic lacerations...

New dose for antidepressant. (Products).
September 1, 2002... Wellbutrin SR (bupropion HCl) Sustained-Release tablets are now available in a 200-mg formulation. This new formulation is bioequivalent to two 100-mg sustained-release tablets. Wellbutrin SR will continue to be available in the 100-mg and...

Laser System. (Products).
September 1, 2002... The CoolGlide Vantage Laser System can be used for nonablative skin therapy permanent hair reduction, and treatment of a broad range of vascular lesions. The laser offers integrated epidermal cooling, a 10-mm spot size, and 2-Hz repetition rate...

Fla. hospitals ease insurance rules. (Medical Liability Crisis).
September 15, 2002... Bowing to the pressures of the medical liability crisis, some hospitals in central and southern Florida are letting their physicians "go bare." They won't be naked. As long as Florida physicians can cover a malpractice claim of $250,000,...

GBS screening, treatment raise sepsis concerns: CDC now favors universal screening-based approach over risk-based method. (Shift in Pathogens).
September 15, 2002... BANFF, ALTA. -- Amid recent concerns about a rise in sepsis caused by ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli in very-low-birth-weight neonates, experts are wondering whether new guidelines on group B streptococcal infection in pregnancy might...

NIH to host conference on the state of HRT science: should WHI findings be extrapolated? (In Wake of Landmark Trial).
September 15, 2002... The National Institutes of Health will hold a public meeting next month to assess the "state of the science" of hormone replacement therapy. The NIH Scientific Conference on Hormone Replacement Therapy comes in the wake of recently...

Prescribing Behavior in Response to Patient Query About a Drug. (Vital Signs).
September 15, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Prescribing Behavior in Response to Patient Query About a Drug Asked about a Asked about specific a drug ...

OTC antifungals used in error 25% of the time. (Poor Self-Diagnosis of Yeast Infection).
September 15, 2002... BANFF, ALTA. -- One in four women using over-the-counter antifungal infection medications doesn't have a yeast infection, Dr. Peter Beigi said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Since...

Births to teens, infant deaths decline. (U.S. Data from 1991 to 2000).
September 15, 2002... Reductions in births to teenage mothers and infant deaths highlighted recent gains in the well-being of U.S. children, a coalition of federal agencies reported. Birth rates among adolescents continued a long-term decline to reach a record...

Screen PCOS patients' sisters, mothers for diabetes. (Higher Androgen Levels, Insulin Resistance).
September 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Sisters and mothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome may have high androgen levels and insulin resistance that puts them at risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even if they appear unaffected clinically....

Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Women, 1992-1998. (Data Watch).
September 15, 2002... DATA WATCH Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Women, 1992-1998 * INCIDENCE RATES Asian/ American Pacific Indian/ White Black...

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. (Dexamethasone Tx).
September 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Prenatal treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia with dexamethasone effectively reduced virilization of the genitalia in female infants with few, mostly mild effects on the mothers, according to one of the largest series of...

Letters.
September 15, 2002... CF Screening by the Numbers Recent comments by Dr. Michael Mennuti bordered on arrogance and mean-spiritedness ("Pro & Con: Should preconceptual and prenatal cystic fibrosis carrier screening be a routine part of obstetrical care?" June 1,...

Aspirin redux. (Guest Editorial).
September 15, 2002... One of the relatively few rewards of attending cocktail parties is the opportunity they provide to exercise one's mental processes on unsuspecting individuals. So it came with great pique when an unwitting foil at a recent gathering introduced...

Vacuum device advocated for Tx of sex disorders. (Female Arousal and Orgasmic Disorders).
September 15, 2002... BIG SKY, MONT. -- The Eros Therapy vacuum device is a highly effective treatment for female sexual dysfunction, Dr. Eric J. Bieber said at an ob.gyn. update sponsored by the Geisinger Health System. Female sexual dysfunction is a vastly...

Tamoxifen given after chemotherapy improves survival in early breast cancer. (8 Years of Follow-Up).
September 15, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen treatment in early breast cancer patients resulted in better disease-free survival than concurrent chemotherapy and tamoxifen, Dr. Kathy S. Albain said at the annual meeting of the American...

Immediate change in HRT regimen not necessary. (Expert Opinion).
September 15, 2002... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy should be reassured that they don't need to immediately stop treatment in light of the results of the Women's Health Initiative, according to Dr. Charles Hammond. "I...

Informed consent key to patient counseling on HRT use. (Dealing with WHI Fallout).
September 15, 2002... BIG SKY, MONT. -- History will view the early halt of the combination hormone replacement therapy arm of the Women's Health Initiative as "a defining moment' in the careers of most ob.gyns., Dr. Eric J. Bieber predicted. "I can't imagine...

No weight gain in short term with Depo-Provera. (8-Week Trial).
September 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The latest data on Depo-Provera and weight gain indicate that, at least in the short term, use of the injectable contraceptive is not associated with weight gain. That finding emerged from a small, randomized,...

Watch and wait for adolescent LSIL regression. (10-Year Study).
September 15, 2002... BALTIMORE -- Watchful observation by cytology, rather than colposcopy, may be the most appropriate way to manage low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in adolescent women because the overwhelming majority of these lesions clear in 36-40...

Expert advocates patient-assisted laparoscopy. (Said to Help Pinpoint Location of Pain).
September 15, 2002... MONTREAL -- Keeping pelvic pain patients fully conscious during laparoscopy can be very useful to physicians who are trying to locate the source of that pain, according to one specialist. "The current standard of care is to anesthetize the...

Watch retroareolar breast cysts in teens for signs of abscess, infection. (Series of 40 Patients).
September 15, 2002... MIAMI BEACH -- Retroareolar breast cysts appear quite commonly in teenagers and should be watched for signs of abscess and infection, Dr. Andrea Huneeus said at the annual meeting of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent...

Consider future fertility in young girls receiving cancer Tx. (Present it as 'A Sign of Hope').
September 15, 2002... MIAMI BEACH -- Fertility may be the last thing on most physicians' minds when they're facing a young girl who has just been diagnosed with cancer. But it shouldn't be, said Dr. Marc Laufer, chief of pediatric and adolescent gynecology at...

Abdominal radical trachelectomy. (Hungarian Study).
September 15, 2002... MIAMI BEACH -- Abdominal radical trachelectomy provides parametrial clearance and recurrence rates comparable to radical hysterectomy Dr. Laslo Ungar said at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. Since 1997, when...

Nuchal translucency poised for wider use in U.S. (Still Not Standard of Care).
September 15, 2002... ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The addition of a nuchal translucency measurement to the standard multiple serum markers for aneuploidy can increase the detection rate of Down syndrome from 75% to 90%, but it will be some time before this is standard...

Sonographer's skill key to efficacy of nuchal translucency test. (Combine with Other Tests for Best Results).
September 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- First-trimester nuchal translucency screening shows great promise for the early detection of Down syndrome and other aneuploidies, but its detection rate is highly variable and remains dependent on the skill of the individual...

Gap Widens Between Whites and Blacks in Infant Mortality Rates. (Data Watch).
September 15, 2002... DATA WATCH Gap Widens Between Whites and Blacks in Infant Mortality Rates * Black White Ratio 1980 22.2 10.9 2.0 1985 19.0 9.2 2.1 1990 18.0 7.6 2.4 1995 15.1 6.3 2.4 2000...

Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolarity in pregnancy. (Appear Safe but Efficacy Uncertain).
September 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Omega-3 fatty acids may curb depression and mania in bipolar women during pregnancy and help provide alternatives to traditional drugs such as lithium, Dr. Lauren Marangell reported at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum...

Breast ca, pregnancy connection unclear. (Survival Rates at Issue).
September 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- There's no definitive scientific evidence to support terminating pregnancy in a woman who develops breast cancer, but many obstetricians recommend it anyway, Dr. Mindy Goldman said at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum...

Protease inhibitors seem safe during pregnancy. (Review of 233 Women).
September 15, 2002... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Treatment with a protease inhibitor was generally safe for pregnant women and their infants, based on a retrospective review of 233 pregnant women who received the drug. Prematurity and low birth weight were not...

Vaginal infections in pregnancy: to treat or not? (T. Vaginalis, Bacterial Vaginosis).
September 15, 2002... ASHEVILLE, NC. -- Although the literature recommends against treating Trichomonas vaginalis infection and bacterial vaginosis in asymptomatic pregnant women, physicians still face a compelling dilemma in this regard, Dr. Philip Heine said at...

FAS rate pegged at 0.3-1.5 cases per 1,000 births. (Four-State Study).
September 15, 2002... Maternal alcohol use continues to affect children, according to a four-state study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall rates of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) ranged from 0.3 to 1.5/1,000 live-born infants in...

Expert offers tips on interpreting fetal heart rate. (Bradycardias vs. Decelerations).
September 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- The ability to distinguish between prolonged deceleration and bradycardia is vital in preventing fetal injury and death, Dr. Deborah Wing said at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum management sponsored by the University of...

Audit: Accutane prescribing restrictions followed. (Avoiding Teratogenicity).
September 15, 2002... VICTORIA, B.C. -- An initial audit shows that physicians and pharmacists are adhering to the Food and Drug Administration-mandated System to Manage Accutane-Related Teratogenicity. Among 783 pharmacies nationwide that were monitored after...

Insurers are loosening up on utilization review requirements. (Demise of Practice Management Companies).
September 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Compared with hospitals and other providers, physicians have relatively little clout when it comes to negotiating with insurers, Roberta Walter Goodman said at a press briefing on rising health care costs sponsored by the Center...

Low-income and minority patients favor Medicare Plus Choice. (Attracted by Drug Benefits).
September 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Hispanic, African American, and low-income Medicare beneficiaries are choosing Medicare Plus Choice in large numbers, according to a recent survey that was released by the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Although the...