Daily check up: $7 million malpractice settlement

Selling doctors: Don't miss this story by ProPublica reporters Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber looking at the many ways medical societies representing specialists sell access to their members. It starts with a look at one cardiology society paid millions by drug and device makers who put their logos on shuttle bus headrests, carpets, water bottles, nightstand promos, exhibit space and educational programs.

Republicans back off Medicare overhaul: As lawmakers began budget negotiations with the White House, the Washington Post reports that Republican House leaders said a deal with Democrats on a proposal to change Medicare into a private voucher system is unlikely. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp of Michigan said he would not draft legislation to put the plan forward, nor would he move on repeal of the health care law. The statements caused a backlash among conservatives.

"Bogus Balms Bureau": Dr. Ford Vox, a fellow at Boston University School of Medicine and a neurorehabilitation physician, wrote for The Atlantic about the role that the Better Business Bureau has played in promoting products that make false claims about treating or curing sexually transmitted diseases. The Food and Drug Administration announced a crack down on the products Tuesday. Vox outlines how the bureau lent its seal of approval to the products, marketed as supplements, for years. "To get out of this fix," he writes, "BBB needs to eject itself from the field of lending credibility to unregulated drug makers entirely."

Blumenthal unplugged: Rachel Zimmerman and Carey Goldberg of WBUR's CommonHealth blog sat down with Dr. David Blumenthal, the former head of Health Information Technology for the Obama administration who has returned to his teaching post at Harvard University. They asked him what patients' electronic expectations should be for their doctors. See the video and watch for more of the interview set to be posted today.