ALSO NOTED: HHS's Leavitt makes quality proposals; RFID chips for everyone?; and much more...

> At a recent professional meeting, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt lays out his proposed four steps for health system quality improvement Article

> Paranoia or well-grounded fear? Bloggers fret over Tommy Thompson's calls for having RFID chips implanted in most citizens. Blog

> Massachusetts healthcare costs are the fourth highest in the country, and are rising faster than those in most other states, too, according to new research. Article

> Consumers aren't happy with the current U.S. health system, but at the same time, are scared that reforms might kill the parts of the system that do work for them, researchers say. Article

> Here's some tips on making your next independent medical review process more worthwhile (and cheaper). Article

> U.K. mom alters baby's genes to save him from an inherited eye cancer. Controversy ensues. Article

> New research from a Deloitte & Touche health research group suggests that state governments may be the best-positioned players to make sure health information exchanges happen. Report

> Patients are re-admitted to hospitals less frequently if electronic medical data systems offer the nurses well-defined care plans options, according to the preliminary results of a joint study. Report

> The anatomy of a health IT disaster. Report

And Finally… Cop: "Don't give me that 'my wife is dying' excuse!" Article