Learn about the development of the systems for delivery and reimbursement of health care in the U.S. from the unregulated free-market state in 1908 to the complex, highly managed state in which it exists in 2008.

This month, Virtual Mentor spoke with Dr. Peter W. Carmel to discuss health reform and, specifically, why the AMA supports the full repeal of the formula used to calculate Medicare payments to physicians.

The adoption of the accountable care organization model means that coordination of care will greatly improve, doctors will end up taking a much more active role in preventive care, and access will have to increase dramatically, perhaps with office-hour changes to accommodate patients' schedules.

Valuable lessons for the accountable care organization model can be gleaned from Medicare's Physician Group Practice Demonstration, but, until it proves broadly successful, other strategies to curb Medicare spending must be identified.

The AMA Code of Medical Ethics' opinion on pay-for-performance programs.

Traditional curricular focus areas are insufficient for preparing future clinicians to function in a rapidly evolving health care system.

Physicians who specialize in assisted reproductive technology should advise parents-to-be of the health and psychosocial risks of preimplantation sex selection for nonmedical reasons.

Using expedited partner therapy to treat certain STDs entails clinical and ethical risks and benefits.

Using expedited partner therapy to treat certain STDs entails clinical and ethical risks and benefits.

To be a useful tool for assessing quality of physician care, pay-for-performance must be designed to include process measures and to not penalize physicians for treating patients with difficult-to-manage conditions.