1.   Another type of gag clause limits what doctors may tell HMO patients about policies that link the compensation of doctors to their success in holding down health costs.

2.   Because of negative media coverage, Askanas says, outright gag clauses are becoming less common.

3.   Both crossed out the gag clause in their HMO contracts before signing and returning them to U.S. Healthcare a year ago.

4.   But HMOs, embarrassed by the disclosure of such restrictions, say they no longer use gag clauses.

5.   California voters recently rejected ballot measures that would have banned the use of gag clauses.

6.   Chancellor David Ward announced the decision Thursday morning amid mounting protest on campus over what critics saw as a gag clause.

7.   Clinton has endorsed banning gag clauses, and will move ahead with his own commission on the quality of health care next year.

8.   Concerned about the so-called gag clauses, the Massachusetts Medical Society has been lobbying for legislation to prohibit them.

9.   Explicit gag clauses would violate such laws.

10.   Gag clauses helped HMOs keep costs down.