January/February 2008

Contents

 Commentary

n MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL EDITOR
Ethics and Reform in Spine Care   
Eeric Truumees, MD

n FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
NASS a Leader in the Age of Transparency 
Thomas Faciszewski, MD

 Current Concepts

n INVITED REVIEW
Curbing the Escalating Cost of Medical Care 
Michael Wefers; Edward Benzel, MD

n CURVE/COUNTERCURVE
Fusion vs Interspinous Device for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis 
Thomas Scioscia, MD; Corey Wallach, MD; Jeffrey C. Wang, MD

 Socioeconomics &  Politics

n ETHICS
Ethical Considerations of Authorship 
Paul A. Anderson, MD; Scott D. Boden, MD

n PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Navigating Institutional Guidelines 
Charles Mick, MD

n REGULATORY POLICY
NASS Efforts Result in Increased Reimbursement for Disc Arthroplasty 
Charles Mick, MD 

n CODING Q & A
Coding Percutaneous Disc Procedures: Annuloplasty vs Percutaneous Disc Decompression 
David O'Brien, Jr, MD

n ADVOCACY/LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS/PAC
Health Care in the 2008 Elections, Part II: Examining Republican Proposals 
Jeffrey J. Wise, MD

 NASS News  

• Heparin Sodium Injection
• Alaris Pump Module
• Duragesic Pain Patches
• Fentanyl Transdermal Patches
• Medtronic SynchroMed EL Implantable Fusion Pump
• Ambien Tablets
• Cialis, Levitra, Viagra Tablets
• Dalmane Capsules
• Doral Tablets
• Lodine Tablets
• Bisphosphonates
• Antiepileptic Drugs
• IV Colchicine
• Botox, Botox Cosmetic, Myobloc