November 18, 2005

As government secrets go, this one did not take long to unravel. Federal investigators did not want the public to know that they had requested confidential information about library use in Connecticut from a little-known organization called Library Connection. Revealing the organization's identity, government lawyers warned, could compromise national security by tipping off the target of the investigation.

Many doctors are profiting from 'gainsharing' programs that allow doctors to share in any money they save hospital; while new approach gives them financial incentive to be more cost-conscious, it also fundamentally recasts traditional arm's-length relationship between hospital and doctors who practice there; regulators and other still worry that if not designed properly, such programs could induce doctors to put money matters ahead of interests of patients; there is talk in Congress about relaxing some of current prohibitions of such programs; Rep Pete Stark says Congressional enthusiasm for gainsharing is not only misguided but potentially dangerous; soaring cost of medical devices is big reason that hospital care has become largest component of nation's nearly $2 trillion annual health bill; charts; photo (M)

Growing number of younger students are attending extension and continuing-education programs that have long served midcareer adults and those with some previous college credit; schools that accept younger students in such programs say interest is increasing, driven largely economic considerations; at Harvard University Extension School, interests is also fueled by fact that it is Harvard; experts say trend reflects increasing number of students struggling to afford college, even as they realize it is increasingly necessary; extension schools, with evening and weekend classes, appeal especially to students who need jobs to afford college and whose income then disqualifies them for financial aid but is not enough for full tuition; Harvard Extension School, with mission of making part of Harvard broadly accessible, is unusually inexpensive: $500 per lecture course compared to $4,000 per course at Harvard College; professors say some courses are virtually identical to those at Harvard College; say differences come mainly from students; some professors say real-world experiences of extension students make classes less academic and more practical; photos (M)

Conrad M Black is indicted in Chicago on charges that he and three former colleagues stole $51.8 million from Hollinger International; indictment charges that Black and his co-defendants worked out plan to divert funds to themselves and misused corporate money; arrest warrant is issued for Black, and there are reports he is in Canada; US Atty Patrick J Fitzgerald refuses comment on Black's whereabouts; other former executives charged are John A Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis; Black's lawyer says his client is innocent; photos (M)

Ben Brantley reviews musical The Woman in White, adapted from novel by Wilkie Collins, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel, book by Charlotte Jones and directed by Trevor Nunn; Maria Friedman and Jill Paice star; photo (M)