Two readers write in about the diversity article in March and another explores an issue about medical malpractice insurers.

As a surgeon, I came in contact with many lawyers--and thought I could do a better job.

Raymond Schaerf, MD * Michael Hyman, MD * Claudia Rico * Connie Chung * Carolyn Kaloostian * Catherine Lin * Christine Trieu * Rebecca Patchin, MD * Julian Omidi, MD * Myriam Perez, MD

Starting July 1, a new federal law will require all Medicaid applicants-including United States citizens-to prove their citizenship status with documentation. The move is designed to strengthen existing law that allows only U.S. citizens and qualified aliens to receive full Medicaid benefits.

An independent federal body, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended that 2007 Medicare physician payments be increased by 2.8 percent, based on the anticipated rise in practice costs. The recommendation is part of MedPAC's 2006 biannual report, submitted to Congress on March 1. If Congress does not act on this recommendation, physicians are facing a 4.5 percent cut in 2007.

Despite the tremendous health and economic costs associated with smoking, survey results show that only 43.5 percent of smokers were advised to quit by their healthcare provider in the past year. Although it would only take a minute, many healthcare providers are not assessing their patients' smoking status, advising them to quit or providing referrals to smoking cessation interventions.

Struggling with the challenges of running a practice? You're not alone. Doctors are looking for prescriptions to fix what ails their businesses. Meet six physicians who reveal the practice management strategies that keep their operations and employees growing and efficient. Get ideas from EMR to phone systems.

Doctors fight for HMO reform and a Medi-Cal reimbursement increase at the CMA's Annual Legislative Leadership Day.

The Los Angeles County Medical Association board has taken a stand against translation requirements for offices. This practice would increase physician costs, and in high-volume, low-fee operations, it might lead to reduced patient access. Clinics run on very small profit margins, and the costs of translation services would put them and most of the rest of us in the red. Proponents of translation services have not solved the age-old question of who should pay.

The association's political action committee talks medicine with potential legislators.

Southern California hospitals generate $85.5 billion, or 12.1 percent, to the region's $708 billion economy, according to a new study from the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. "Hidden in Plain Sight: The Economic Contribution of Southern California Hospitals & Related Services" focuses on 212 hospitals in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in 2004.

It is important that patients have trust and confidence in our healthcare system and are well educated about how to access appropriate care. Patients do best when they gain that trust and education by listening to physicians. I call this listening to the "Voice of Medicine." Unfortunately, there are other voices that sometimes try to drown out the Voice of Medicine.

A new scheme to reprice low-demand drugs has dramatically increased costs to consumers. For example, the price of a 60-year-old cancer medicine, which had for a long time been priced at $77.50 per prescription, has been arbitrarily increased to $548.01.

In an editorial by the Los Angeles Times, the editors concluded that the recent difficulties at the UC Irvine Medical Center liver transplant program mandated the removal of Thomas Cesario, MD, dean of the medical school. I surmise that their (faulty) reasoning emanated from their belief that the dean was responsible for actions taken at UCI Medical Center.

In recognition of Give Kids a Smile Day and National Children's Dental Health Month, Project K.I.N.D. coordinated free dental care for 181 school children in February. Ten dentists donated services worth more than $69,000.

There is no single solution to the problem of health insurance affordability. However, there is one strategy that makes sense for physicians to consider for themselves first and their employees later. That strategy utilizes Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and qualified high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).

In March, I joined nearly 600 physicians who gathered at the American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., to learn about the political climate surrounding national healthcare issues and to lobby Congress.

Fifty physicians gathered for dinner at the SBCMS/ RCMA Conference Center on Tuesday, March 2. They met with California Medical Association representatives to discuss Workers' Compensation and provide input on action plans to deal with this critical problem.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society discussed the flu pandemic, the Inland Empire Health Plan, the American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference and the agenda for the California Medical Association House of Delegates in October.

As chairman of the Ventura County Medical Association Obesity Prevention Task Force, I've learned the scary statistics. Nearly 60 percent of all Californians are overweight or obese and more than 30 percent of California's children are at risk of obesity.

For the first time in its long-term disability and business overhead expense programs, Marsh Affinity Group Services has negotiated a special, limited open enrollment period for members during which time they will be able to sign up for disability benefits without having to go through underwriting.

You may need $10 million in the bank to live later like you do now. See if your retirement planning goals are in line with these nine financial tips.

Donald J. Kurth, MD, sees medicine and political action as intertwined in his effort to improve fates for addicted people.