Groups push new ethics for doctors

Everything needs to be modernized now and then -- apparently even the Hippocratic Oath.

New guidelines for physicians have been drafted by a number of physician organizations working together. The "Charter of Medical Professionalism" was written by members of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine and the European Federation of Internal Medicine.

The three new guiding principles for physicians are the primacy of patient welfare, autonomy for patients and social justice.

Art Caplan, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania, told USA Today that the new charter is necessary because medicine is gradually being viewed more as a business.

"That is the wrong ethic," Caplan said.

Cut highway funds? Not if House panel has say-so

In Congress, road work is ahead.

Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have put together a plan to prevent most of President Bush's proposed cuts in highway spending.

Bush, using a formula set by Congress several years ago, has proposed cuts that would reduce Florida's highway money from $1.3-billion this year to about $974-million next year. The administration says the cuts are needed because of a significant drop in gas tax receipts.

But under a revised plan from the Republican and Democratic leaders of the committee, most of those cuts would be prevented. Florida would get a $173-million boost, for a total of just more than $1.1-billion.

Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, said the money will come from the unused surplus in the Highway Trust Fund. "This funding increase will not cost other programs one dollar," he said.

The bill is headed for smooth sailing in the House: It is sponsored by 227 of the 435 members.

Whistleblowers to talk about national security

Calling whistleblowers "courageous patriots" in the tradition of Paul Revere, a coalition of watchdog groops and government employee unions will hold a forum Wednesday to discuss weaknesses in national security.

The speakers include Matthew Zipoli, a guard at a government lab who complained about security lapses; Darlene Catalan, a former customs agent who called attention to vulnerability of U.S. borders; and Frank Serpico, a former New York police officer who exposed corruption in the New York Police Department.

But one whistleblower at the conference isn't ready to give his name. He is billed as a security expert for the Federal Aviation Administration, but he'll be using a pseudonym:

Mr. X.

-- Times staff writers Sara Fritz and Bill Adair contributed to this column.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright