Surfing Stark II: prohibition against self-referrals

In 1989, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, Fortney (Pete) Stark (D.-Calif.), turned the health care industry on its ear by introducing the "Ethics in Patient Referrals Act" to Congress. The bill, commonly known as "Stark I," prohibited physician referrals to entities in which they held a financial interest. As Stark's bill made its way through Congress, its substance was dramatically reduced by the legislative process. Ultimately, the law was incorporated as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Stark I's main thrust is that it bars physicians from referring Medicare patients to clinical laboratories with which they have a financial relationship. Furthermore, laboratories providing those services must report information concerning any ownership arrangements between the referring physician and the laboratory. Now, to complicate the picture, providers must contend with amendments to the original law that extend the reach of its prohibitions. Called "Stark II," these amendments took effect on January 1, 1995. In this article, guidelines for dealing successfully with the requirements of the law are outlined.     

初中生良好家庭教育环境的构建

初中生所处的时期既是"黄金期"又是"危险期",对他们的教育更显得重要。然而家长最了解,也最容易影响孩子;孩子很依赖父母,也就最容易接受父母的教育;家庭教育又是人生所受的第一个教育,也具有其它教育无法比拟的优势,所以家长要意识到家庭教育环境的重要性、提高自身素质、掌握初中生的身心特点、为他们营造良好的家庭教育环境,进而更好地配合学校及社会对他们的教育。