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Physical Therapists Oppose Stark Laws Loophole
An exemption in the Stark Laws that allows physicians to offer physical therapy services in their offices interferes with patient choice and is hurting private practice, some physical therapists say.
The main problem is that the Stark Laws cannot be enforced, said Steve Forbush, president of the Arkansas Physical Therapy Association.
"I believe there are so many diluting exemptions in the federal laws at this time that the Stark Laws do not have any clout on the state or national level and can't really be enforced," Forbush said.
ROBYN JACKSON |
Stark Contrast
Is the Stark Law Still Meeting its Original Intent?When Congress passes a bill, any necessary regulations usually follow within a reasonable time. Otherwise, the law's in limbo. When it comes to the Stark Law, you might say that its evolution has been in stark contrast to conventional lawmaking, and that's only one of the reasons why the law keeps physicians and their attorneys up at night.
"This is the law that some people have jokingly referred to as The Full Employment Act for Lawyers," said Joan Krause, professor and co-director of the Health Law and Policy Institute at the University of Houston...
SHARON H. FITZGERALD |
Childhood Obesity Rates Leveling
Arkansas' five-year battle against childhood obesity has helped level rising rates while landing the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) a $20 million grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to address the issue.
Act 1220 of 2003 by the Arkansas Legislature launched the nation's first multi-pronged legislative effort to address childhood obesity.
STEVE BRAWNER |
Endocrine Society Releases New Practice Guidelines to Prevent, Treat Childhood Obesity
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
In light of today's lifestyle choices, however, the old adage should probably be rephrased to more accurately depict 21st century America — the deep fried apple pie doesn't fall far from the fast food chain.
Considering the number of overweight and obese adults in this country, it shouldn't be surprising that the nation is raising more and more overweight and obese children. Still, this issue somehow seems to catch many parents and healthcare providers off guard.
CINDY SANDERS |
J.P. Bell, MD
Simply put, J.P. Bell loves life. The Fort Smith physician loves living it, he loves capturing it on film, and he most of all loves saving it in the emergency room, in his mission work around the world and in his new urgent care clinic.
Born in Fort Smith and raised there and in Northern California, James P. Bell has been a physician for more than 30 years and simultaneously a professional photographer for the past 20...
JENNIFER BOULDEN |
Year-end Financial Q&A
Making sense of today's financial markets is putting even the most seasoned investors to the test. This week, I want to share with you some no-nonsense answers to some questions I've heard recently.
What is "the market" going to do?
Barring any near-term recoveries, 2008 will likely go down as one of the worst years for stocks since 1937. Unfortunately, the other asset classes – real estate, commodities, and even bonds – have also performed poorly. The good news is that corrections like we're experiencing, even recessions, are a normal and natural part of the process.
CHAD CARLSON, FINANCIAL ADVISOR |
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