New NC law makes it harder for patients to sue for malpractice, 7-12-12, WSOCTV
Reporter Peter Daut provides patient and physician feedback regarding Senate Bill 33 including comments from NCMS Past President Darlyne Menscer, MD, in support of medical liability reform.

21 Spine Surgeon Leaders for Non-Profit Hospitals, 7-5-12, Becker’s Spine Review
Writer Laura Miller names NCMS member Henry A. “Andy” Pool, MD, as one of 21 spine surgeons who lead non-profit hospitals.

Local doctor has mixed feelings about new over-the-counter HIV test, 7-4-12, WSOCTV
WSOCTV reports on the recently approved over-the-counter HIV test that will be available this fall. NCMS member Frederick Cruickshank, MD, expressed his concerns.

UNC Health consolidates physician network, 7-12-12, Triangle Business Journal
Reporter Jason deBruyn writes that in order to bring more unity among the 150 doctors in 34 practices associated with UNC Health Care, the hospital system will bring the name of its various physician networks under one umbrella: UNC Physicians Networks (UNCPN).

NC Group Aiming to Improve Healthcare, 7-12-12, Insurance News Net
Writer Sue Book reports on Coastal Carolina Health Care efforts to coordinate care for some of the most medically challenged Medicare recipients, such as those with chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cornerstone Health Care Participating in Aetna’s Patient Centered Medical Home Program, 7-11-12, Business Wire
Cornerstone Health Care, PA, reports that they will participate with Aetna in the health benefits company’s national Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program in an effort to provide more coordinated care.

FDA unveils safety measures for opioid painkillers, 7-9-12, WRAL
AP Health Writer Matthew Perrone reports that drugmakers will be required to fund training programs to help physicians and other health professionals safely prescribe drugs, like powerful painkillers, which are blamed for thousands of fatal overdoses each year.