News from Maricopa County Medical Society

Even before President Obama signed an extension bill that reverses until April 1 an unprecedented 21% Medicare physician pay cut, the Senate had begun work on the next short-term patch -- this one to delay the rate reduction until Oct. 1.

The Tax Extenders Act, which essentially is a longer-term version of the Temporary Extension Act from March 2, was approved by the Senate on March 10 with a vote of 62-36, sending the measure to the House.

The roughly $148 billion bill also would extend a number of other unemployment and health care assistance programs through the end of the year.

The pursuit of yet another short-term reprieve, again for less than a year, runs counter to the American Medical Association's call for a permanent repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula that helps determine Medicare physician pay rates.

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Child vaccine rates hinge on educating parents

Pediatrician Sheldon Lippman, MD, used to ask parents who declined vaccines for their children to find another doctor.

Now the Brooklyn, N.Y., physician asks parents who refuse his vaccination recommendations to sign a form noting that they chose not to vaccinate their children against potentially fatal diseases. That sometimes is enough for them to realize the risks.

"When we break out that sheet that they're taking responsibility, some [parents] change their mind on the spot" and get the vaccine for their children, Dr. Lippman said.

A new study published online March 1 in Pediatrics found that although most parents consider vaccines to be beneficial for their children, more than half are concerned about serious adverse effects.

Researchers in January 2009 surveyed 1,552 parents with children age 17 and younger; 90% said vaccines are a good way to protect children from diseases. Similarly, 88% said they generally follow their physicians' vaccine recommendations.

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Severe Behavioral Problems in Childhood Predict Chronic Pain in Later Life

Severe behavioral problems in childhood that persist through adolescence are associated with long-term chronic widespread pain (CWP) in adult life according to data from the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study, which included nearly 20,000 people.

Investigators at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, found that children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk for CWP by the time they reached 45 years of age compared with their counterparts who did not have behavioral problems as children.

Dong Pang, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Aberdeen reported the study online March 10 in Rheumatology.

"We already know that childhood behavior problems are associated with psychiatric problems, such as depression and anxiety, in later life. Our study shows that chronic widespread pain may be another unrealized consequence in adult life. The childhood behavior problems appear to be associated with a broader spectrum of ill-health than we originally thought. More studies are needed," Dr. Pang told Medscape Psychiatry.

Further, the researchers report that the association was not explained by social class, early reporting of symptoms, or an already-known link between adult psychological distress and CWP.

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"Doctors in Recital"

Please join "Doctors in Recital" on March 19th at 7:00 PM for an entertaining evening showcasing the talents of local physicians with a passion for music!! All proceeds will be donated to the Phoenix Symphony.

List of performers:

Dr. Zeitzer, clarinet

Dr. Kaufman, piano

Dr. Petra Novakovic, guitar

Dr Howard Robinson, bass

Dr. Suzanne Drewson, flue

Dr. Scott Croft, vocals

Dr. Mark Hong, violin

Dr. Drake Duane, piano

Dr. Art Soben, piano