Since 1973, 23 U.S. physicians have launched into space. They have taken part in spacewalks, treated fellow crew members and conducted medical research.

Concerns about safety issues from health IT malfunctions could result in more federal oversight.

Radiologists urge accreditation standards that would link Medicare pay to a practitioner's training.

Health reform expanded coverage, but lawmakers had to scale it back to balance the 2009 budget. A lawsuit claims that was unconstitutional.

Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, also spoke at the annual AMA conference. Topics included health reform, obesity and violence prevention.

Doctors aren't waiting for federal relief, but are working with legislators to defend caps on noneconomic damages and secure other state-level tort reforms.