With a Tiny Bit of Cancer, Debate on How to Proceed

The New York Times reported that oncologists are able to catch more lymph node abnormalities than ever thanks to sophisticated and sensitive lymph node biopsies. What seems like a medical advantage—the ability to catch even the slightest hint of cancer—is actually causing more problems for oncologists who are unsure of what to do with the micrometastastic diagnoses they are making.

Currently no standards of care exist for the diagnosis of micrometastases—wisps of tumors too small to be considered full-fledged metastases. This means that oncologists are navigating through murky waters filled with an abundance of treatment decisions and options while worrying whether a treatment of these minute clusters of cancerous cells will benefit the patient in the long term.

Independent Review Organizations come into the equation here. With the combination of emerging standards of care and ever-advancing screenings, diagnoses and treatments, making the correct and informed decision to best benefit a patient is especially important, requiring demanding research and thorough knowledge. An IRO offers the knowledge of a specialist to help payers make the best decision for patient care.

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5 percent of Mass. taxpayers uninsured, some fined

This article shows how Massachusetts is making progress in enforcing its new law regarding universal healthcare coverage for all of its residents. We're in favor of it. In order to lower costs and improve health care quality in this country, it's essential that we get everyone into the risk pool. Massachusetts is leading the way in this area, hopefully paving the way for a similar initiative at the national level once a new president is elected. As an independent review organization that is deeply involved in allocating health care resources in the US, we feel that a universal coverage mandate will help drive costs down and is a key step toward healthcare system transformation.

By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press Writer

BOSTON - Nearly 100,000 Massachusetts taxpayers have been fined for failing to obtain health insurance, even as a major survey concludes the effort to create near-universal coverage in the state is meeting key goals.

Five percent of taxpayers failed to obtain health coverage last year, and more than half of those — about 97,000 — were forced to forfeit their personal exemption — worth $219 — after it was determined they could have afforded health care.

Two percent of taxpayers — about 62,000 — were found not to earn enough for health care, avoiding fines. Under the landmark law, taxpayers must show they are insured or face penalties. The numbers were based on a review of 86 percent of expected tax filers for 2007.

The state's first-in-the-nation universal health insurance law required everyone in the state to be insured by July 2007, except for those who secured a waiver proving they couldn't afford insurance.

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