MINNEAPOLIS, July 10, 2008—An alert by The Joint Commission warns that rude language and hostile behavior among health care professionals goes beyond being unpleasant and poses a serious threat to patient safety and the overall quality of care.

MINNEAPOLIS, July 10, 2008—The U.S. pharmaceutical industry has revised its code of conduct, banning gifts to doctors such as pens, mugs and restaurant meals.

MINNEAPOLIS, June 2, 2008—Minnesota physicians at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago today found a sign at the Eli Lilly booth informing them that they were not welcome to sample the frozen yogurt the pharmaceutical company was giving away.

MINNEAPOLIS. May 1, 2008—The MMA, West Metro Medical Society (WMMS), East Metro Medical Society (EMMS), and the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA) have teamed up to provide their members a review of the changes made in the 2008 BCBS Aware Provider Service Agreement.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 1, 2008—On April 21, 2008, a final order for the national case Love, et al. v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, et al. was filed by the federal court in Miami.

MINNEAPOLIS, April 8, 2008—Is health care a right or a privilege? If it is a right, what limits, if any, can be imposed on individuals for the sake of the population's health? Minnesota State University-Mankato Professor of Nursing Sue Ellen Bell will examine these questions and others during a lecture at St. Olaf College April 9 that will focus on social justice and the health-care industry.

MINNEAPOLIS, March 17, 2008—An article at American Medical News asks what doctors' ethical obligations are when they become pitchmen on TV or in print.

MINNEAPOLIS, February 1, 2008—A new analysis of independent research summarized by the American Medical Association (AMA) shows that caps on noneconomic damages lower medical liability premiums.

MINNEAPOLIS, January 31, 2008—On January 30 the MMA, along with the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA), filed an amicus brief with the Minnesota Supreme Court in the case, MacRae v. Group Health Incorporated, et al.

MINNEAPOLIS, January 30, 2008—The Minnesota Board of Medical practice (BMP) has issued a report on appropriate prescribing of controlled substances for the management of pain, as mandated by the 2007 Legislature.