Texas Family Physician - Vol. 62 No. 3, Summer 2011

CONTENTS

Cover: The session of what might have been
Now that the 82nd Legislature and the first called special session have concluded, we take a look back on a turn of events that delivered ideas to reform an unsustainable system while simultaneously cutting programs that nurture the physician workforce.
By Kate Alfano

Budget slashes 80 percent of support for programs designed to increase primary care physician workforce
By Jonathan Nelson

The economics of the medical home
In this article from Texas Medicine, family physicians speak about their experiences in a pilot project by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas that rewards them for improving quality and controlling health care costs.
By Ken Ortolon

Research: Characteristics of patients using extreme opioid dosages in the treatment of chronic low back pain
By Shannon Essler, Terrell Benold, M.D., and Sandra Burge, Ph.D.

Practice management
Learn to successfully renegotiate your contracts

Join TAFP for Oct. 1 payment reform summit

Meet June’s Member of the Month; New feature on www.tafp.org

In the news
HIPAA 5010 switch happens in six months, are you ready?
Physicians bring great economic benefit

Member news
Harris County AFP names top honorees
San Antonio residency earns NCQA PCMH certification
Academy leader joins TMA Foundation board