Will the Governor Sign Senate Bill 1122? Controversial Bill Spurs Action from Consumer Groups, Healthcare Advocates When the 2009 legislative session ended May 1, one particular piece of healthcare legislation drew much attention. LYNNE JETER

The Self-Insured Option Outside-the-Box Thinking Leads to Significant Cost Savings for Local Insurance Group Outside-the-box thinking has led to significant cost savings for The Crowne Group, which has made the self-insured option an attractive choice for Florida employers. LYNNE JETER

Virtual Colonoscopy Trial Hails Preventive Procedure, But Medicare Not So Sure Ask radiology experts and virtually all of them will say that virtual colonoscopies are a less expensive, less invasive and effective alternative to conventional colonoscopies to screen for colorectal cancer. Yet there’s a flip side to that view – that CT colonography, as it is more formally known, is inefficient, since a regular colonoscopy must follow if the CTC finds anything suspicious. SHARON H. FITZGERALD

CEO Spotlight: Ronald R. Beer, FACHE, St. Cloud Regional Medical Center Last summer, Ron Beer, a 20-year healthcare veteran, moved from COO to CEO of St. Cloud Regional Medical Center, one of the largest area employers with a staff of nearly 500. LYNNE JETER

Prostate Cancer: To Screen or Not To Screen Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy in men, and the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Approximately 220,000 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2007, with over 29,000 deaths reported. More aggressive screenings, along with more effective, better tolerated treatments, has resulted in improved survival world-wide. Stephen F. Dobkin, M.D.

Best Practice: Dr. P. Phillips Hospital Diabetic Foot Ulcers The Comprehensive Wound Care Center at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital applies a physician driven, multi-disciplinary approach that directs critical resources required for the treatment of patients with wound healing failure. Antonio Crespo, MD